For decades, fossil fuel industries have funded climate denialism. Most of that money has been spent pretending that climate change is a hoax, or that humans don't contribute to it. But recently, climate denialism has taken a less obvious form -- organizations are avoiding covering important climate news or protests for climate action. So, when over 1,000 scientists around the world engaged in civil disobedience to demand dramatic action on climate change and mainstream news sources barely covered it, they were doing exactly what the world's greediest fossil fuel corporations wanted.
Sign now to demand media companies like the New York Times and Washington Post prioritize coverage on climate change and civil disobedience for the climate, and better cover these protests!
In Madrid, scientists splattered red paint on the Parliament building to represent the blood of those who have died and will continue to die from climate catastrophes. In Los Angeles, a NASA scientist and three others chained themselves to a Chase Bank to bring attention to the bank's role in funding some of the most destructive projects in the world. In countries around the world, scientists bravely stepped out of their historically apolitical positions to say: the future of humanity is at stake.
Despite the activism across the globe, not a single mainstream news source covered the mass coordinated actions, which in itself is a form of climate denialism. The media plays a huge role in informing the public on what issues are the most pressing and worthy of policy change. By refusing to cover these incredible protests, the media is giving fossil fuel executives exactly what they want: less focus on the fact that the planet is on fire and scientists are being ignored.
The truth is that wealthy, industrialized nations -- who have contributed overwhelmingly and disproportionately to greenhouse gas emissions which fuel a warming planet -- are not holding up their end of the bargain. The Paris Agreement laid out a plan to limit warming to 1.5°C by 2100, but the world is not on track to hit this target. This is in large part because some of the world's wealthiest countries refuse to take responsibility and meet their domestic goals. Climate inaction is denialism, plain and simple. And refusing to cover climate protests is climate denialism, too.
Sign the petition now to tell media organizations like the New York Times and the Washington Post that true journalism covers climate change and climate protests! The future of humanity is at stake, and the media must take responsibility!
