The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ), in partnership with the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, hosted a webinar on Tuesday to provide journalists with data and information on the link between gun violence and “heat” in the 100 largest U.S. cities. [emphasis, links added]
The fragility of research on the link between global warming and gun violence should draw more attention from journalists, But coverage of studies exploring the link has been largely friendly, lacking the skepticism expected of professional journalists.
SEJ and Immediate climate report CCN is part of a network of thousands of journalists and hundreds of media organizations, with an audience of 2 billion, according to CCN.
Both organizations receive funding from anti-fossil fuel campaign groups and encourage journalists to include climate change in every topicsuch as linking gun violence to climate change, And avoid interviewing sources who question any aspect of the “climate crisis” narrative.
Experts with knowledge and background in oil and gas say these groups also demonize their industry and prevent journalists from including their perspectives when reporting on climate and energy.
This means that most energy and climate reporting is largely produced by campaigners who want to see the industry eliminated.
“Almost every journalism student is indoctrinated in college with the moral responsibility to be a watchdog and a ‘voice for the voiceless’.
“This is a huge cultural shift from previous generations, where journalists were trained to report objectively, include both sides, write the story, and then let readers decide for themselves” said Tim Stewart, President of the American Oil and Gas Association Just news.
Climate change = urban shootings?
According to research presented at the webinar, “Climate change is responsible for 370 new shootings in Chicago, 285 new shootings in New York, 146 in Detroit, 98 in Milwaukee and 83 in Minneapolis. , Philadelphia 64 onwards.
There have been multiple media reports over the past few years claiming a link between the two. Just as many stories blame climate change for social problems—from obesity to domestic violence— Reporters parroted the research, claiming to have found a connection.
Such is the case with articles about the alleged link between gun violence and climate change.
Researchers studying the link between climate change and gun violence admit There are more factors influencing gun violence than global warming.
Yet journalists covering the topic rarely ask researchers scrutinizing questions that might call into question whether such a link exists.
There are many reasons to doubt the connection.
For example, The homicide rate in the United States was much higher in the 1990s, when levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere were much lower than today.
Data presented during an SEJ webinar showed that heat-related shootings (in other words, shootings allegedly caused by climate change) accounted for nearly 16% of shootings in Minneapolis, but only 5% in Albuquerque. %, where the high temperature in summer is close to 10 degrees.
Likewise, Phoenix, one of the hottest cities in the United States, Research shows an inverse relationship between heat and gun violence, meaning rising temperatures reduce heat-related gun violence.
SEJ has 1,400 members, many of whom are climate and energy journalists. One of their initiatives is to train journalists to avoid “disinformation.”
An article on “disinformation” on the SEJ website claims that there is far more misleading information today.
As an example of this alleged misinformation, it points to Rachel Carson's 1962 book “silent spring,” which had a huge impact on the modern environmental movement and led to the ban of the pesticide DDT.
SEJ alleges that author Rachel Carson was attacked by misinformation from the chemical industry that “failed to refute” her claims that pesticides cause widespread harm to the environment. However, Studies have found that the ban on DDT increased malaria deaths among poor people.
The article also reiterates claims that oil companies have known about climate change for decades and funded climate change denial campaigns.
As German physicist Sabine Hossenfelder explains on X, Confidence in climate models is low among all climate researchers inside and outside the industry during a time when oil companies are allegedly denying their researchers' findings.
She said she “doesn't like the fossil fuel industry” but claimed it was “nonsense” that oil companies “understand” climate change.
The SEJ article compares the oil industry's views to tobacco, a drug that causes serious health consequences.
In an article purporting to debunk climate change myths, Immediate climate report Tell reporters it's a myth that we can't eliminate fossil fuels quickly. According to CCN, all we have to do is choose to do so.
Many energy experts might disagree.
pick up the phone
While those working in the oil industry have a financial interest in defending the industry, and there is nothing wrong with journalists pointing out these sources’ ties to the industry they defend, CCN and SEJ encourage reporters to view fossil fuel industry sources as inherently deceptive.
SEJ hosted a training webinar in 2023, moderated by Rebecca Lebar, senior reporter for Left-Wing.com Walkers At the time, Sammy Roth was a climate columnist Los Angeles Times.
“There's also a lot of misinformation, and a lot of it is sponsored by natural gas utilities that have a stake in whether the economy is undergoing an energy transition,” Leiber said during the webinar.
Ross said it is important to remain objective when answering questions about journalists' responsibilities and allow different viewpoints to weigh in on the report, “I would never include climate change deniers in my story.” He calls them “red herrings.”
Immediate climate report Ross was honored at the 2024 Journalism Awards.
Aaron Johnson, vice president of public and legislative affairs for the Western Energy Alliance (WEA) Just news That These groups weaponize claims of “disinformation” and encourage journalists to eliminate any sources that challenge their preferred narratives.
He said the league is willing to talk to reporters and will not object when reporters contradict their claims.
“But we hope journalists will listen to the experts. And don’t avoid both sides in news coverage, the SEJ does so publicly,” Johnson said.
He said that while there is a lot of talk about moderating rhetoric in politics, energy and climate, There are also many radical remarks.
“We find that there are problems with some media and some organizations promote extreme views. We hope to have rational dialogue. We welcome objections, we welcome tough questions. We expect so, but at least pick up the phone and talk to us,” Johnson said.
Industry voices are not welcome
He said the SEJ was not always as hostile to the industry as it is today. The organization has invited WEA President Kathleen Sgamma to speak at its annual meeting. Johnson said he tried to sign up for this year's annual meeting, But the registration page makes it clear that industry voices are not allowed.
“Over the past 15 years, What we see is that the group becomes more insular and they don't welcome different viewpoints in meetings. Johnson said.
Read the break from Just The News
