PUTNEY — My comments are in response to the selection of stories that aired on Weekend Edition Sunday on April 30. I believe that the Peoples Climate Movement should have been the featured story of the morning, and I was very disappointed that it didn't get more coverage.
The lead story about Trump's rally in Pennsylvania sounded, as usual, like he's still campaigning. Then there was the president's snubbing of the White House Correspondents Association Dinner, an inside-the-Beltway story mainly of interest to journalists. And the segment about carjackings in Florida could have run anytime.
Why did these predictable and regional stories take precedence over an issue that affects everyone on the planet?
Meanwhile, millions of good people in cities and towns across the United States and countries around the world rallied on April 29 in support of the environment that sustains all life on Earth. Now, I call that newsworthy!
Not only was the Peoples Climate Movement story buried in the third quarter of the first hour, it ran for a mere 1 minute and 47 seconds - barely enough time to describe the weather, a story in itself. It is scary to think that 91-degree days in Washington, D.C., in late April might become the norm.
If the segment had aired earlier in the program, it would have provided a meaningful context for the Nenana Ice Classic competition for predicting when the ice on an Alaskan river will break up (usually weeks earlier than a century ago).
* * *
In general, NPR did not fully or accurately cover the multiple peaceful protests. The news updates that are broadcast at the top of the hour mentioned only the march in Washington. What about the activists and citizens who participated in nearly 400 marches and rallies held on every continent?
The headline posted on the website downplayed the size of the crowd by two orders of magnitude. There weren't just “thousands” - nearly 200,000 people were estimated to have filled the streets of D.C. with colorful and creative signs, banners, costumes, and critical messages. It would have been easy enough to find details at peoplesclimate.org/media and Democracy Now!
Jennifer Ludden's story, which I found at “The Two Way: Breaking News from NPR,” was a commendable start, but why not go further?
As longtime NPR listener, I want to hear more about Trump's plans to slash funding to the Environmental Protection Agency, curtail National Science Foundation research, and cut off funding to federal programs, such as NASA, that are working to avert the most damaging effects of climate change. As well, how has Congress weighed in?
* * *
I think NPR should be offering more in-depth stories on related issues. I want to hear about climate justice - i.e. how poor people, people of color, and Native Americans are disproportionately affected by climate change.
And I want more information about the links between global climate change, U.S. military operations, and ongoing wars in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Women in the group Code Pink would be glad to serve as first-hand witnesses.
Furthermore, NPR could be airing more stories about local and state efforts - goals, plans, and programs - to dramatically curb carbon emissions using renewable energy sources. Farmers and city dwellers, forests and coral reefs, are all affected by increases in the intensity and frequency of storms, fires, and droughts. There is much to learn before it is too late.
We can slow down climate change if we make a concerted effort. We have the technology and resources. What we need is the political will.
As Bill McKibben and other leading climate activists and scientists remind us, “Climate change is the biggest issue of the century.” Please, NPR, bring us the news that listeners need to hear on Sunday mornings and throughout the week, so we can be well informed on critical issues.