11 July 2011
Tom Vandyck Gets It Right
Posted by Dan Satterfield
While I still see some of the “he said/ she said” type journalism on climate science in the U.S. media, I agree with the thrust of Tom Vandyck’s piece that the coverage of climate science is improving, and more accurately describes the overwhelming consensus. There are some notable exceptions, especially in smaller media markets, and of course on Rupert Murdoch’s outlets like Fox News and the Wall Street Journal (Including The Australian which is perhaps the most egregious in publishing laughably incorrect science). Unfortunately, many of their readers/viewers do not realize they are just playing to the preset political opinions of an established audience.
In smaller markets (of both print and TV), the new economy means much of the reporting is being put together by rather inexperienced reporters who are likely burdened with two or more stories to finish by deadline. This means a quick “he said/she said” story is acceptable in the reporter’s mind. As Vandyck makes clear, that is not journalism. It’s being a stenographer and it does a disservice to science, because in science all ideas are not equal.
Click the image to read his well done piece.
Dan Satterfield has worked as an on air meteorologist for 32 years in Oklahoma, Florida and Alabama. Forecasting weather is Dan's job, but all of Earth Science is his passion. This journal is where Dan writes about things he has too little time for on air. Dan blogs about peer-reviewed Earth science for Junior High level audiences and up.
Sorry Dan, but I’m removing the link to your blog from my favorites list today. You used to be my favorite meteorologist, and I admit, you taught me more about weather via your broadcast than any other weather personality. However, as a Christian, I can no longer stomach the things I read. Your attacks against Fox news, blending faith with science, etc., are just things I flatly disagree with. God created life, God created the earth, and God’s creation IS science. I admire the efforts of so many to “save the world,” and I would never advocate needless destruction to our environment. However, there is a clear picture of the future of our earth. But no one in the field of science seems to acknowledge it. That picture is found in the book of The Revelation, the last book of the Holy Bible. It’s frightening to see what God is going to do to the very earth He created. Unless you’re on his side.
What does Fox News have to do with your beliefs? Fox doesn’t hold itself to a very strong ethical code. Since you’re a Christian, I’d have thought you’d feel very strongly about the amount of deception practiced by Fox News, and you and your peers would be right up front rebuking them for their lies, not defending them. When you defend those who deceive, it sullies not just your image but the image of Christians. You might want to look up what Augustine said about that. See Chapter 19, verse 39 here: college.holycross.edu/faculty/alaffey/other_files/Augustine-Genesis1.pdf
Read to the end of the chapter, and be aware that thanks to people not heeding this advice, many people now equate Christians with liars at worst, the willfully ignorant at best (both are sins, btw).
“no one in the field of science seems to acknowledge it”
You haven’t looked very hard, have you? Wars, scarcity of resources, diminished and/or poisoned water supplies, drought, famine, dying oceans, societal disruptions are all things that will happen as the climate change worsens, so the field of sciences tell us. Incidentally, their predictions sound remarkably like the ones in the book of the Revelation.