Environment
NEARLY three-quarters of UK newspaper reports on the record-breaking June heatwave failed to mention climate change, despite scientists linking the extreme temperatures to human-induced global warming, according to a new analysis.
The analysis, conducted by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), reviewed almost 2,500 print and online articles published by nine major UK national newspapers between June 22 and June 28.
It found that about 72 per cent of the stories made no reference to climate change, global heating or similar terms, while fewer than one in 20 mentioned the UK’s “net zero” emissions policy.
The findings come as scientists warn that climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, intense and deadly.
Britain experienced its second heatwave of the year in June, with temperatures exceeding 37 degrees Celsius, the highest ever recorded for that time of the year. The country has since experienced a third heatwave.
A study published by Imperial College London estimated that about 2,700 people died from heat-related causes in May and June, with approximately 1,100 of those deaths attributed to additional warming caused by climate change.
Scientists said the extreme temperatures would have been virtually impossible without human activities such as burning fossil fuels and unsustainable agricultural practices, which have intensified global warming.
Prof. Ed Hawkins, a climate scientist at the University of Reading, said the media had an important responsibility to help the public understand the causes of extreme weather.
“When extreme heatwaves occur, it is critical that the British public understand that greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels, have made those heatwaves hotter than they would otherwise have been,” he said.
According to the ECIU, the Financial Times had the highest proportion of heatwave stories linking the event to climate change, with about two-thirds of its reports making the connection.
The Guardian ranked second, with nearly half of its heat-related stories referring to the climate crisis.
Although the Independent published the largest number of heatwave stories during the review period, only about 39 per cent mentioned climate change.
The Daily Mail linked climate change to roughly one in five of its heatwave reports, while the Daily Express did so in about one out of every eight stories.
The Daily Mirror mentioned climate change in only nine per cent of its heatwave coverage, while The Sun ranked lowest, with just six per cent of its reports making the connection.
The ECIU noted that the overall findings remained largely unchanged after excluding live blogs and repeated online updates.
Gareth Redmond-King, Head of International at the ECIU, said the relationship between recent heatwaves and climate change was scientifically established.
“If recent heatwaves are the symptom, then climate change is the illness, and net zero is the medicine,” he said.
He stressed that improving public understanding of the relationship between extreme weather, climate change and emissions reduction policies was essential for informed public debate.
Responding to the findings, a spokesperson for The Guardian said the newspaper remained committed to reporting climate change as “an urgent, factual reality.”
The newspaper said it had adopted editorial policies promoting consistent use of terms such as “climate crisis” and “global heating”, while also ending fossil fuel advertising and pursuing net-zero emissions in its operations.
F.O
Tags: Heatwave reports UK