I watched the local news coverage of the wind gusts, power outages, downed tree limbs. I heard the advisories not to travel and interviews with fearful citizens. What I didn’t see or hear was any connection to the cause of this un-natural disaster. It was all what, where, when, how … with no why.
So, I sent out a ‘press release’ today.
For Immediate Release
Time: Evening
Place: Western Washington
Again, there has been a climate “un-natural” disaster without mention of the cause, the increase in carbon, methane and other gasses in the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels.
The climate crisis demands that we make immediate and significant changes including ending the use of coal, oil, and methane gas and building an economy based on real human needs rather than continuing the unsustainable cycle of extraction, profit and growth that benefits only the wealthy.
Local coverage highlighted the on the ground effects of the high winds and rain, yet did nothing to warn viewers about the cause or make clear that these types of events will continue to increase in frequency as we continue to burn more fossil fuels. NBC news did a little better, adding at the end of their coverage the caveat: Experts have warned that climate change is worsening the atmospheric effect. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, boosting the potential for warmer, wetter and more intense atmospheric river storms with greater flood risks and higher costs.
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad freeAs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states in Climate Change Indicators: U.S. and Global Precipitation:
As average temperatures at the Earth’s surface rise (see the U.S. and Global Temperature indicator), more evaporation and transpiration occur, adding more moisture to the air, which in turn increases overall precipitation. Therefore, a warming climate is expected to increase precipitation in many areas. Just as precipitation patterns vary across the world, however, so do the effects of climate change on precipitation. By shifting the wind patterns and ocean currents that drive the world’s climate system, climate change will also cause some areas to experience decreased precipitation. In addition, areas with increased precipitation will not necessarily have more water available for people and ecosystems because higher temperatures also lead to more evaporation
How was your news organization’s coverage of the weather event? Can you do better?
It might just be me shouting into the wind, but maybe the wind will catch my voice and drift it into someone’s listening ear. Who knows, maybe I’ll hear something back. Maybe others will contact their news organizations when disaster strikes their area. Looks like the opportunities to lament un-natural disasters will only continue to increase.
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Previously Published on Medium
Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash
