Can the media be trusted to report honestly on climate change? That was the question posed this week at our latest Cloud Café online debate. And the answer, according to guest speaker Dr Jonathan Fuller, is a definite no.

Jon, founder of Climate Genocide Act Now, said crucial information about the existential threat presented by climate breakdown is being routinely withheld by the media.

Billions of people are already vulnerable to climate change, with rising temperatures, disease, sea level rises and worsening storms already happening and several low-lying island states expected to disappear into the sea within 25 years. The Gulf Stream is likely to shut down and temperatures could dip to minus 20°C or rise abruptly and severely, leaving countries unable to feed themselves. And the UK government hasn’t done anything to adapt, still allowing developers to build on floodplains and ignoring that the country doesn’t have enough water to survive a drought.

Yet few media outlets report the frightening trends and some actively encourage readers to oppose, abuse and even assault climate campaigners, while lobbying the government to slow the rate of action on climate change.

Calling continued investment in fossil fuels “the ultimate crime against humanity… technically genocide in international criminal law”, Jon said that the media are complicit in this by “inciting” the government to continue its policies.

He singled out the Guardian and Observer as being better than others at reporting climate news. Among the worst are the Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, the Daily Star, the Express, and the Sun, which portray activists as “upper-class toffs, eco fanatics”.

The media, said Jon, promote fracking and the expansion of fossil fuel industries, lobby to get rid of net zero targets, and deny the benefits of insulation, heat pumps and onshore wind, low traffic neighbourhoods, bus lanes, and low-emission zones.

“There’s a relentless stream of misinformation and disinformation,” he commented. “They campaign to maintain lifestyles that they know will kill people. They’re engaged in warfare, attacks on democracy and on people, particularly the young and those in the global south. Sometimes you just despair and wonder how can people be so cruel.”

Among the lies are false claims that the cost of decarbonising will cost households thousands of pounds each year. And climate change deniers like Nigel Farage are given coverage while knowledgeable people like the UN Secretary General are not given comparable opportunities to put their case.

Part of the reason for the media ignoring the emergency is that they fear losing readers if they report upsetting news. A more sinister reason is the “crystal clear” link between the media owners and the fossil fuel industry; for example the Murdochs – owners of the Times and the Sun – have financial interests in oil and gas companies while the company that owns the Telegraph’s debt is a fossil fuel lobbyist.

“For newspaper owners there will be a day of reckoning,” warned Jon. “The young will one day be in charge and they’ll be the judges, the police, the prosecutors. They will want to know why media organisations knew [the truth] and carried on [lying].”

Among broadcasters, the BBC covers some aspects of climate change but is reluctant to broadcast the most alarming scenarios, said Jon. Even outlets sometimes thought to be reliable, like Channel 4, still report on the benefits of airport expansion while ignoring the deaths being caused by climate change.

“It doesn’t get into the public consciousness… the vast majority are not aware of the threat,” said Jon. “The press has a duty to tell people the scenarios are real and dangerous. But suppression of facts is everywhere you look. The truth is being withheld.”

Neither does the media report on the attempts being made by CGAN to prosecute the UK government for inciting genocide. Instead, protesters are being prosecuted. “The media have stolen from the young what they need to defend themselves – information,” said Jon.

Children are told a certain amount at school about climate change, he added. They’re told about some of the impacts; they know that polar bears are affected, for example. But they don’t hear about the effect on UK agriculture or the failed rains in Africa. They don’t know that extreme rainfall here will overwhelm the critical infrastructure that keeps them alive.”

He said the situation was inflicting “terror” on young people, with the result that many of them have decided not to have children.

Campaigners need to counter the deliberate campaign of suppression by the press by disseminating their own news, through newsletters and social media, he said. “We’ve done everything we can to get the media to tell the truth. But the right-wing press won’t change, so we have to get our own information out. We have to talk about genocide, annihilation, use language that good people will find uncomfortable but we owe it to the victims to use it. And we need to emphasise the positives [of taking action]: affordable homes, energy security, food supply security, employment, how we would deploy technology to insulate homes.. a dynamic vision and policies to give people quality lives.”

The Green Party has the right policies to save the young and give them hope, added Jon. “We can take that terror away from them. We can survive this.”

Watch the full talk below.

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With the mainstream media filtering, misinterpreting, downplaying or even ignoring news about the environment, how much can we trust what we read in the papers?

Honest and full coverage of issues like climate change is never going to sit well with the interests of corporate media owners. Much reporting is not grounded in research or informed by facts; crucial evidence is largely ignored; and environmental activists and climate scientists are undermined or even pilloried.

Our next Cloud Café online discussion, on February 14 from 7.30 to 9pm, will explore the messages we receive though the mainstream outlets.

Our guest speaker, veteran environmental campaigner Dr Jonathan Fuller, founder of Climate Genocide Act Now, will discuss why the media takes the approach it does, and will talk about his ongoing Tell The Truth campaign to call the media out on their dishonesty.

His presentation will be followed by discussion, comment and debate from the online audience.

Everyone is welcome. To register, go to: https://actionnetwork.org/events/media-reporting-on-environmental-issues 

If you can’t watch on the night, register anyway and you will be sent a link to the recording to watch another time.

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The film will be followed by talks from three expert speakers.

It is part of the Missing Ed project, a series of informative talks, films and discussion sessions organised by Stroud Young Greens. The aim of the project is to share learning with the young people of Stroud about the social and environmental issues that are impacting the world around us.

Stroud Young Greens member Sophie Luff, 15, said: “The school curriculum often fails to educate our generation about the most important factors affecting our lives. Missing Ed will empower young people by giving them the knowledge and space to share views, which is essential to ensure that we can all play a vital role in protecting the planet and the welfare of humanity.”

The event takes place at The Exchange, Brick Row, GL5 1DF.

For free tickets email stroud@younggreens.org.uk or click here to book a ticket online.

The speakers:

Paul de Main

News journalist Paul De Main, also known as Skabewis (“The Messenger”), is a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, and is of Ojibwe descent. He’s also a former Indian Affairs Policy Advisor.

He is currently chairman of the board of directors for Honor The Earth, a unique national Native initiative. Honor the Earth works to raise public awareness and raise and direct funds to grassroots Native environmental groups. It is the only Native organisation that provides both financial support and organising support to Native environmental initiatives.

He runs an independent newspaper that gives a voice to the Native community, with the aim of addressing the lack of coverage given by mainstream media to indigenous-related stories and the fight for Native rights.

He is particularly interested in the “food sovereignty” movement, which is about helping tribal communities connect with healthy, local foods.

Richard Erskine

Richard Erskine is a founder of Nailsworth Climate Action Network. He is a Fellow of the think tank The Schumacher Institute based in Bristol, which develops ideas and tools for action on sustainability.

His talk will focus on climate justice. He will talk about the impact of the climate crisis globally, the impact of oil, and positive renewable energy solutions we can buy into locally.

He is interested in the connections between science, art and society, with a focus on the climate emergency. He believes a diversity of voices – including historians, engineers, artists, geographers, entrepreneurs, scientists, farmers and ecologists – is needed to make sense of our situation and to envision a net zero future, founded on justice, well-being and sustainability.

Jacqline Wolf Tice

Jacqline Wolf Tice is an instructor for the Indigenous People’s Law graduate programme at the University of Oklahoma. She specialises in issues around tribal sovereignty, environment and culture. She is an Indigenous cultural advisor, teacher and traditional practitioner.

She will share the experiences and stories of some of her clients and students of indigenous law, who often live on the front line of climate issues.

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She warned that even if COP26 commitments are met the future’s still grim: water scarcity, rising sea levels, heatwaves, habitat loss, mass migration, war – and much of Gloucestershire under water.

Cllr Turner’s motion calls for the council to take decisive action on its climate change commitments. Read the full motion below, and watch her speech here.

Council Notes: 

• That this authority declared a climate emergency in May 2019, with a goal to reach net zero by 2030, and as a member of UK100, has committed to deliver a carbon neutral county by 2045 (with an 80% reduction by 2030).

• That the Glasgow Climate Pact recognises a crucial role for communities and local authorities. By “recognizing the important role of … local communities and civil society, including youth and children, in addressing and responding to climate change, and highlighting the urgent need for multilevel and cooperative action” the Pact makes plain the need for action at every level of government and society. Furthermore, the Pact explicitly calls on us “to actively involve … local communities in designing and implementing climate action”.

• That shortly before COP26, the UK government published its Net Zero Strategy, which includes the intention to establish a Net Zero Forum to coordinate the strategy with local government. 

Council believes:

• That despite the wholehearted efforts of Alok Sharma MP and others, COP26 failed to provide the national targets to put the world on course for limiting global average temperature rise to 1.5C, and failed to commit to the phasing out of fossil fuels and to the carbon price mechanisms needed to shift the world economy from them. 

• That the Climate Change Committee is correct when it states that it is “crucial for the [Net Zero] Forum to promptly develop an agreed understanding of the role of local government in delivering Net Zero.”

Council resolves, in line with the Glasgow Climate Pact and associated declarations: 

Local climate leadership:

• To complete the delivery of Carbon Literacy training for council staff and members by December 2022, to ensure we are consistent in addressing the climate emergency across our activities. 

• To undertake a robust review of our 2019 Climate Change Strategy and associated Action Plan, and to ensure that other council strategies developed or reviewed from this point are congruent with the renewed Climate Change Strategy.

• To recognise a hierarchy of action with direct investment in facilities, infrastructure and changes to services first, with carbon off-setting as a last resort.

• To provide leadership with the issue of clear and regular (monthly) guidance and information on the path to net zero through the Greener Gloucestershire campaign, with transparency regarding the council’s work, and honesty with regard to the changes in homes, transport and diets required of us all. To lend the council’s commitment and authority to the newly established body Climate Leadership Gloucestershire, and to support and learn from neighbouring councils and other partners as they bring forward plans for decarbonising their own activities and supply chains, identifying and engaging in opportunities for working together. 

Sustainable production and consumption:

• To accelerate our work on waste reduction, circular economy initiatives, sustainable food strategies and natural carbon capture, in particular on the council-owned rural estate. To consider the potential for a Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage system for the Waste to Energy facility at Javelin Park, especially if funding from BEIS is made available, as has been suggested.
• To expand our work on new renewables projects on county-owned land/buildings and in partnership with other landowners, and to continue to review our existing energy procurement to maximise the efficiency and sustainability of supply. 

Active Travel:

• To build on recent active travel bid successes for our urban areas, and step up funding efforts for our rural districts where public transport options are limited. To ensure timely delivery of commitments in our Local Transport Plan and Bus Service Improvement Plan with regard to active, public and shared transport. 

Finance:

• To request that the Pension Committee review the allocation of passive funds in the Council’s pension scheme as part of the upcoming MTFS exercise (if not sooner), and consider moving these passive funds to the new Paris Aligned Benchmark Passive Fund offered by the Brunel Pension Partnership for schemes within its pool. 

• To bring forward proposals for a local Green Investment Bond, as promoted by the LGA, to enable our communities to invest in local green infrastructure projects. 

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We got some great coverage from the press, including a mention – and a video clip of our 7-foot-high dinosaur, signifying extinction – on Points West.

See the local press articles from the Stroud Times here and from the Stroud News & Journal here.

Martin Whiteside of Stroud Greens, who helped organise the cross-party event, said: “The brilliant turnout – and the many placards that people brought – showed the weight of the concern about climate change and our doubts about the government’s will and commitment to do anything substantive about it.”

The vigil was preceded by the Stroud Red Band (of which several Greens are members) and a local choir performing Enough is Enough, a song written specifically for choirs, street bands and community-based music groups around the country to perform during COP26 to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Pictured is the result of our street survey, showing that the vast majority of people are against new coal, oil and gas fields and cutting overseas aid. The vast majority are in favour of a frequent flyer tax, a carbon tax to pay for public services and think the government should do more to fight climate change.

Dozens of people took up our suggestion of writing postcards to Siobhan Baillie MP and to Boris Johnson. One, from a 14-year-old girl, read: “Dear Boris Johnson, You are in the position to make a difference to the future of the planet and the survival of humanity, which is more than can be said for most people. Don’t waste an opportunity to ensure a future for the World’s children and the rest of the World. You are Prime Minister, after all.”

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The event, from 12 noon until 12.30 on the corner of High Street and Kendrick Street, can be joined by anyone who is concerned about the lack of government action over the crisis and people are encouraged to bring banners and placards showing their feelings.

The event is being held to coincide with COP26, the United Nations’ climate change conference, which is taking place in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12.

For more information whiteside@gn.apc.org

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The motion, proposed by Cllr Simon Pickering (Green) and seconded by Cllr Doina Cornell (Labour) asked for councillors to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (CEE Bill), which was tabled in Parliament by Green MP Caroline Lucas.

The Bill calls for a range of government actions to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and rising global temperatures, including protecting and restoring depleted soils, wildlife habitats and species populations and setting up an independent Citizens’ Assembly to work with Parliament and Government on an emergency strategy for becoming a zero-carbon society.

Cllr Pickering said: “As a council we are committed to do everything within our powers to adapt to and combat climate change, but that is not going to be enough. We need Government to work with us, business and all citizens in a genuine partnership to first adapt to, and then help stop, dangerous climate change.

“But there’s a palpable lack of urgency and action on the part of government. Without more significant and sustained action, the world will exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit between 2030 and 2040. Therefore, the current UK target of net zero by 2050 is not satisfactory. It is too little, too late. Unless global warming is limited, we will face catastrophic climate change.

“The costs of failing to address this crisis will far outstrip the investments required to prevent it. Investing now will bring many benefits in the form of good jobs, breathable cities and thriving communities. In the year that the UK hosts the United Nations Climate Change Conference, government must finally stop prevaricating and start taking this crisis seriously.”

More than 30 other councils – including Stroud’s Gloucestershire neighbours Forest of Dean District Council and Cheltenham District Council – have already pledged to support the Bill.

The CEE Bill has the support of MPs from seven political parties, and after the motion was approved, the council will write to Siobhan Baillie MP asking her to support the bill too.

The motion is on p2-3 of the SDC full council agenda, which can be found here: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/media/1485131/agenda-29-april-2021.pdf 

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Stroud District Green Party has welcomed Stroud District Council’s budget proposals (published on Wednesday 3 Feb), which strengthen the council’s capacity to deliver on its commitment to make the district carbon neutral by 2030.

Nailsworth Green Councillor and Horsley Climate Action Network member Norman Kay said: “Achieving carbon neutrality will need an enormous effort by every resident and every business in the district. This is not something the council can do alone, though it will be a key enabler – we need more resources, and this budget is an important step towards putting our plans into practice”.

The budget also includes support for local communities and businesses to help them through the Covid crisis – and funding to make cold and draughty houses warmer and cheaper to heat. Cllr Catherine Braun, deputy leader of the Greens on Stroud District Council, said: “Covid has highlighted the inequalities in our society, with some communities being much worse affected than others. It is important that the council is planning how to build back better out of the crisis.”

Green councillor Jonathan Edmunds, vice-chair of the Community Services and Licensing Committee, said: “It is really important that these budget proposals have come out of Labour, Greens and Liberal Democrats working together in a cooperative alliance while also enabling Tory and independent councillors to contribute ideas through the committee system. Greens recognise that working together, although difficult at times, produces better results in the long run. We owe this to the council-tax payers. Sadly, our electoral system does not encourage this type of collaboration.”

The District Council budget proposals can be seen here. The budget will be decided at the full council meeting on February 25.

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