Fight Global Warming Denial : George Will Distorts the Facts

Global warming is one of the most urgent issues facing our country and the entire world. In dealing with an issue of such magnitude, the [Washington] Post has a duty to provide the truth to its readers. George Will is entitled to his own opinions, but he is not entitled to his own facts.

By Ben Dimiero / February 23, 2009

As many in the progressive blogosphere have already documented, The Washington Post ran a column by George Will that misused data and distorted statements made by climate experts in order to suggest human-caused global warming is not occurring. The Washington Post has refused to correct the record. In response, we launched an e-mail writing campaign today demanding that they do so.

Below is the full text of the alert we sent out earlier today (which includes links to the email tool and to our item documenting Will's falsehoods.) If you need anything, feel free to get in touch.

Email Text:

Last week, The Washington Post ran a column by George Will that misused data and distorted statements by climate experts to suggest that human-caused global warming is not occurring. Despite the widespread outcry about Will's climate misinformation, the Post has refused to correct the record.

Now we need your help -- to demand that The Washington Post run a correction; visit:

http://mediamatters.org/action_center/willful_denial/


Will's distortions were unambiguous.

First, he misused data on global sea ice levels from the Arctic Climate Research Center (ACRC), wrongly suggesting that ACRC data undermine the overwhelming scientific consensus surrounding "man-made global warming." In fact, the ACRC says the opposite is true -- the sea ice data Will cited actually support the scientific consensus that humans are causing global warming.

Second, Will claimed that "according to the U.N. World Meteorological Organization, there has been no recorded global warming for more than a decade." Will cited no source and provided no quote for this claim. In fact, last year, the WMO said that the "long-term upward trend of global warming, mostly driven by greenhouse gas emissions, is continuing." And just last month, WMO secretary general Michel Jarraud reportedly said: "The major trend is unmistakably one of warming."

Third, Will rehashed the discredited myth that in the 1970s, there was broad scientific consensus that the Earth faced an imminent global cooling threat.

Instead of correcting Will's distortions, the Post has thus far refused to acknowledge that they exist. That is why it is vital you contact The Washington Post today and urge them to correct Will's column:

http://mediamatters.org/action_center/willful_denial/

Global warming is one of the most urgent issues facing our country and the entire world. In dealing with an issue of such magnitude, the Post has a duty to provide the truth to its readers. George Will is entitled to his own opinions, but he is not entitled to his own facts.

Thank you again for all you do.

Sincerely,

Eric Burns
President
Media Matters for America

Source / Media Matters for America

Also see Global Warming: A George Will Harrumph by Larry Ray / The Rag Blog / Jan. 22, 2009

The Rag Blog