political : HAS THERE BEEN TOO MUCH ALARMISM OVER GLOBAL WARMING? [+] serious ballot by xxxxxxxx created Thu Aug 03, 06 Matt Weaver Thursday August 3, 2006 Guardian Unlimited "Government and media organisations were today accused of undermining efforts to tackle global warming by using alarmist language that amounts to "climate porn". The "apocalyptic" way in which climate change is often portrayed in the press and on government websites succeeds only in "thrilling" people while undermining practical efforts to tackle the problem, according to Labour's favourite thinktank, the Institute for Public Policy Research. It analysed reports of climate change in 600 articles, 90 television adverts and news clips, as well as websites run by government and green groups. A report on the project, published today, found that the issue was discussed in wildly divergent ways, and it argued that this meant the message to the public on climate change was "confusing, contradictory and chaotic". It says that the most prevalent tone for the discussion was "alarmist" and this was not confined to the tabloid press. It even cited a video on climate change produced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Articles cited included one in Dazed and Confused, which said "We're heading for dodo status", and a piece in the Financial Times, which said "Think of being a canoe drifting downstream, then recognising too late that you are about to go over a waterfall". The report said that such "sensationalism... serves to create a sense of distance from the issue". It argued: "Alarmism might even become secretly thrilling - effectively a form of 'climate porn' rather than a constructive message. All of this serves to undermine the ability of this discourse to bring about action." The report also contrasted such messages with discussion of the small practical steps, such as turning off lights, that people are encouraged to take to tackle global warming. It said the tone of discussion had caused the public to question whether small actions on their part really had the potential to make a difference to events on such an "epic" scale. The report, entitled Warm Words, urges the government and campaigners to stop using alarmist language and start prompting environmentally friendly behaviour "as a brand that can be sold". Launching the report, Simon Retallack, the IPPR's head of climate change, said: "Currently, climate communications too often terrify or thrill the reader or viewer while failing to make them feel that they can make a difference, which engenders inaction." He added: "Government and green groups should avoid giving the impression that 'we are all doomed'. The focus should be on the big actions that people can take to address climate change, like switching to a hybrid car, fitting a wind turbine or installing cavity wall insulation, not just small ones such as turning down the thermostat or switching off the lights." A spokesman for Defra said the report "makes a valid point" but he claimed that the government was campaigning to promote practical steps to tackle global warming. He added: "This report is a useful addition to the debate. The department have been working hard to change people's attitude at the grassroots level and we are moving now to changing behaviour and not counselling despair." " Do you agree with the above article that there has been too much alarmism and that it is detrimetnal? Yes No Yes, too much alarmism Not enough you little dipshits Ballot #98998 : SEE RESULTS Comment: show your vote with comment?

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