Prepare Now! ‘Earth’s sea levels may rise 25 meters by 4000 AD!’
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Counter: ‘Changes in Greenland are not at all unprecedented nor are they as described’
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Claim: ‘Greenland ice sheet melting faster than expected’
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Even Computer Models Now Defying Predictions of Doom! New study ‘concludes global average sea level rise UNLIKELY to exceed one meter by 2100’
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Soothsayers?: ‘Sea levels SHALL rise by at least one metre by the year 2100’
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‘Greatest Lie Ever Told’: Renowned sea level expert dismisses climate fears: ‘Beach erosion more likely to be caused by LOWER sea levels’
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Wash. Post reporting makes progress! Article concedes sea level computer model ‘predictions could be flawed or flat wrong’
The Washington Post’s reporting on global warming has made an important step forward. Post Reporter David A. Fahrenthold’s June 8, 2009 Washington Post article about global warming and sea level rise does a surprisingly decent job of reporting on the issue.
Fahrenthold’s article notes that the predicted increase in sea level by 2100 on the East Coast may be enough to “submerge a beach chair.” The article then notes that the possibility of even a submerged “beach chair” by 2100 is only a “might.” [Editor’s Note: See below for sampling of scientific studies and scientists refuting sea level rise fears.]
The next sentence in Fahrenthold’s article should warm the hearts of journalism professors everywhere. “Scientists say the information comes from computer models, which could be wrong.” [Editor’s Note: Wow! A simple, but elegant sentence that is so often missing from many of today’s climate change fear reporting about what might, may, could happen in 90 years. This sentence is also missing from the rhetoric of political leaders. Paging Energy Sec. Chu: See: Sec. Chu’s assertions ‘quite simply being proven wrong by the latest climate data’ – Computer model predictions are not ‘evidence’ ]
Perhaps most surprising is that Fahrenthold wrote a woeful Washington Post climate article on May19, 2009 that was easily refuted on multiple levels. (See: Wash. Post rebuked for laughable climate claims) Perhaps Fahrenthold received a flood of constructive criticism and took to heart many of the suggestions for improved reporting.
In his new sea level article, Fahrenthold appears to really strive for fairness and accuracy. He noted that alarming scare scenarios of future sea level rise “would probably not happen for centuries.” And he added: “Scientists concede that these predictions could be flawed or flat wrong.”
Once again, these words appeared in a news article on global warming in the Washington Post by a reporter who just two weeks earlier embarrassed himself with so much misinformation. This is quite simply progress. [Editor’s Note: Other signs of recent media progress include: CBS Newsman Charles Osgood A Climate Skeptic? Questions Whether Quiet Sun May ‘Counteract’ Global Warming – April 21, 2009 & CNN’s Lou Dobbs is no longer convinced climate debate is settled — declared belief in global warming is ‘almost a religion’ ]
Below is selected excerpts from the June 8, 2009 Washington Post article.
East Coast May Feel Rise in Sea Levels …
AP Media Shocker: Sea level threat revised: Scientific data challenge fears of sunken islands
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