Full Breakdown
Declining Climate Coverage Amidst Escalating Crisis
4/16/2026, 2:23:45 AM
Current State of Climate Coverage
The United Nations' 2025 Global Climate Report presents a grim outlook, indicating that the past 11 years have been the warmest on record, with greenhouse gas emissions continuing to rise despite surpassing the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold established by the Paris Agreement. Despite the urgency of the climate crisis, coverage of climate-related issues in U.S. media has significantly declined. Research from FAIR indicates that online news coverage of climate change fell by nearly 32% from 2024 to 2025, with a similar 35% decrease in major U.S. commercial broadcast TV networks during the same period. By March 2026, climate stories constituted only 1.1% of total U.S. news coverage, a stark decline from 2.4% in 2021.
The Disappearance of Urgent Terminology
The term "climate crisis," which conveys a more urgent connotation than "climate change," has nearly vanished from media discussions. In 2021, it averaged 0.4% of coverage but plummeted to 0.1% in early 2026. This shift reflects a broader trend where media outlets have moved away from language that emphasizes the severity of the climate situation. Notably, The Guardian has maintained its commitment to using terms like "climate emergency," but it appears increasingly isolated in this approach.
Impact of Political Leadership on Coverage
The decline in climate coverage coincides with the presidency of Donald Trump, who has been characterized as dismissive of climate science. Following his election in December 2024, climate-related news dropped by over 46%, averaging just 1.2% of total news content. This reduction occurs despite numerous significant climate events and reports, including a lawsuit filed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research against the Trump administration for allegedly shutting down the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Broader Implications of Climate Inattention
The lack of media focus on climate issues is concerning, especially given the ongoing global crises, including the U.S. and Israel's military actions against Iran, which have exacerbated energy prices. In March 2026, while 5,012 stories mentioned Iran and oil prices, only 4.4% connected these topics to renewable energy or climate change. Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, emphasized the necessity of transitioning from fossil fuels, linking it to economic and national security.
Criticism of Media Responsibility
Critics argue that the media's failure to adequately cover climate change undermines public understanding and action. Mark Hertsgaard and Giles Trendle noted that modern warfare is intrinsically linked to climate change, with military activities contributing significantly to carbon emissions. The environmental and health impacts of warfare, particularly in relation to fossil fuels, further complicate the climate narrative.
Conclusion: The Need for Comprehensive Coverage
As climate change continues to pose an existential threat, the media's responsibility to report on its implications remains critical. Ignoring climate issues in relevant contexts will not halt their progression but may exacerbate the crisis. The 89 Percent Project, part of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now, underscores the necessity for media to reflect the realities of climate change and its pervasive effects on society.
