This letter is exactly what's needed to help counter the corporate media's - in this case, George Will's and the Washington Post's - atrocious, disgraceful, "unfairly unbalanced" reporting on environmental (particularly climate change) issues. I urge everyone to (respectfully) email Washington Post Ombudsman Andy Alexander at ombudsman@washpost.com and tell him what you think of this situation. Thanks.
Andy Alexander
Ombudsman
The Washington Post
1150 15th St. NW
Washington, DC 20071
Dear Mr. Alexander:
We are writing today to express urgent concern over your refusal to correct George Will's February 15 column, "Dark Green Doomsayers." Will used his nationally syndicated column to make several clear distortions about global warming.
First, Will misused data on global sea ice levels from the Arctic Climate Research Center (ACRC), wrongly suggesting that ACRC data undermine the overwhelming scientific consensus surrounding "man-made global warming." In fact, the ACRC says the opposite is true -- the sea ice data Will cited actually support the scientific consensus that humans are causing global warming.
Second, Will claimed that "according to the U.N. World Meteorological Organization, there has been no recorded global warming for more than a decade." Will cited no source and provided no quote for this claim. In fact, last year, the WMO stated that the "long-term upward trend of global warming, mostly driven by greenhouse gas emissions, is continuing." And just last month, WMO secretary general Michel Jarraud reportedly said: "The major trend is unmistakably one of warming."
Third, Will rehashed the discredited myth that in the 1970s, there was broad scientific consensus that the Earth faced an imminent global cooling threat.
Will's column has sparked widespread criticism. Yet, the only response from the Post seems to be to defend Will with further misinformation. When Brad Johnson from the Center for American Progress Action Fund contacted you to correct Will's distortions, you reportedly refused to acknowledge that they exist.
Global warming is one of the most urgent issues facing our country and the entire world. In dealing with an issue of such magnitude, the Post has a duty to provide the truth to its readers.
George Will is entitled to his own opinions, but he is not entitled to his own facts. We respectfully ask that you immediately make your readers aware of the glaring misinformation in Will's column.
Thank you.
Carl Pope
Executive Director, The Sierra Club
Gene Karpinski
President, League of Conservation Voters
Brent Blackwelder
President, Friends of the Earth
Eric Burns
President, Media Matters For America
Also, check out
this excellent Daily Kos diary by super-environmentalist Adam Siegel. We need more diaries like that from more people as well...
