Shortly after the new administration took over in January, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested that Biden consider declaring an emergency on climate change, even though a hard look at the data revealed:
Notwithstanding, the dutiful media continues its frenzy to drive the narrative. When it comes to matters involving science and technology, however, this is both aggravating and dangerous.
Scientific American, a previously venerated scientific publication, has decided it will magnify the “climate emergency” message that the politicos in Washington want to spread. Out of the nearly 7 million scientists in the United States, it cherry-picked 13,000 to assert that they all agree: “We Are Living in a Climate Emergency, and We’re Going to Say So::
Scientific American has agreed with major news outlets worldwide to start using the term “climate emergency” in its coverage of climate change. An official statement about this decision, and the impact we hope it can have throughout the media landscape, is below.This idea is not a journalistic fancy. We are on solid scientific ground. In January Scientific American published an article about a study entitled “World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency.” At the time, more than 11,000 scientists from 153 countries had signed a report to signify their agreement that the world is facing a climate emergency that requires bold action.As of April 9 another 2,100 had signed on. As our article said, “the adverse effects of climate change are much more severe than expected and now threaten both the biosphere and humanity…. Every effort must be made to reduce emissions and increase removal of atmospheric carbon in order to restore the melting Arctic and end the deadly cycle of damage that the current climate is delivering.” Our article also noted that as of January, “1,859 jurisdictions in 33 countries have issued climate emergency declarations covering more than 820 million people.”
This is not science. It is consensus-based on political pressure. It is especially appalling because the vast majority of journalists reporting this news have had very limited exposure to rigorous coursework in biology, physics, geology, statistics, chemistry, or any other scientific or technical discipline.
We have seen actual climate emergencies:
To continue with this banality, Scientific American explains: Why “emergency”? Because words matter.
Yes, for scientists, the correct use of technical terms does matter. Unfortunately, the publishers of this nonsense have decided to misuse terms to create fear, allowing for enacted policies that are not based on science, logic, or reason.
But, perhaps, the most chilling piece of this nonsense comes toward the end of the article:
“The media’s response to COVID-19 provides a useful model.” Guided by science, journalists have described the pandemic as an emergency, chronicled its devasting impacts, called out disinformation and told audiences how to protect themselves (with masks and social distancing, for example).
Scientific American got that half right: The media provided a wonderful model…. of what not to do. And while there are dozens of different reasons to decry the media’s handling of COVID19 coverage, its hysteria-level description of the 1-in-1-million clotting problems with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will result in further vaccine hesitancy is merely the latest example.
The term “common sense” means sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.
Based on the available data, we live in a common-sense emergency, and I’m going to say so.
Bonus: There is also consensus!
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY