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Reviews of articles from: The Guardian
ARTICLE REVIEWS
Guardian article on Arctic methane emissions claiming “a new climate feedback loop may have been triggered” lacks important context
in The Guardian, by Jonathan Watts
“This article’s claim that methane deposits in the Arctic Ocean are starting to be released, awakening a “sleeping giant”, cannot be supported by the limited observational data. Besides, even if these newly found seeps are increasing, they are located too deep in the ocean to have a significant impact on the concentration of methane in the atmosphere.”
— 30 Oct 2020
Article in The Guardian misleads readers about sensitivity of climate models by narrowly focusing on single study
in The Guardian, by Jonathan Watts
“The article correctly reports that the most recent versions of some climate models estimate more warming for a given increase in CO2 concentrations. It is also correct in highlighting that how clouds are represented in these models is the likely reason for these higher estimates. However, it does not report all the science available on this topic and its claims are thus misleading.”
— 18 Jun 2020
Guardian story on climate impacts of diet gets mixed reviews from scientists
in The Guardian, by Damian Carrington
“The word “Avoiding” in title and text is overly strong and should have been “Reducing”. Adopting a vegan diet is not necessary, but a reduction to having meat 1-2 times a week and dairy 3-4 times a week would suffice. In fact, flexitarian diets utilize natural resources much more efficiently than vegan diets[1]. In the article, Peter Alexander is quoted saying something to the same effect.”
— 23 Jan 2019
Guardian story accurately describes study on environmental impacts of our food system
in The Guardian, by Damian Carrington
“Although the presented facts are clear, the scientists give a personal interpretation of the priorities and needed policies, which are not covered in the source. The data give added value, but are in line with earlier studies.”
— 17 Oct 2018
Guardian story conveys statement by scientists stressing role of deforestation in climate change
in The Guardian, by Oliver Milman
“The article correctly links estimates of current carbon dioxide emissions from land use and land cover change with fairly conservative estimates for potential carbon sequestration embedded in “natural climate solutions” as part of the climate mitigation strategy to avoid 1.5°C warming.
Land-use and land-cover change is responsible for roughly 10-15% of total global carbon dioxide emissions. Forest management, reforestation, and afforestation where appropriate, is part of the climate mitigation portfolio assessed by Integrated Assessment Models used in the IPCC process.”
— 09 Oct 2018
Guardian story accurately covers sea ice event but makes unsupported connection to weather patterns and the Gulf Stream
in The Guardian, by Jonathan Watts
“The article is clear and accurate. The authors have consulted several experts in the field to develop this story. They provide a scientifically sound overview of the current sea ice state north of Greenland, its historical context, and what has caused this anomaly.”
— 28 Aug 2018
Guardian coverage of essay on potential of future “hothouse” climate is generally accurate, but misstates some details
in The Guardian, by Jonathan Watts
“The article reasonably summarizes a new study published in PNAS, which describes the potential of tipping elements to enhance climate warming and the potential for the Earth to transition into a hot-house climate state. The article is careful to point out uncertainties and thus avoids being sensational. However, there are many small errors scattered throughout the article.”
— 09 Aug 2018
Guardian explores sea level rise impact on cities, but fails to make timescale clear
in The Guardian, by Jonathan Watts, Dom Phillips, Helen Roxburgh, Josh Holder, Justin McCurry, Niko Kommenda, Richard Luscombe, & Ruth Michaelson
“This article provides an excellent visual of an unfortunately very likely general future for humanity, in which sea level rise slowly inundates many coastal cities … However, one major drawback of this article is that the magnitude and timescale of the sea level rises described in this report are not well explained.”
— 09 Nov 2017
Analysis of “Record-breaking climate change pushes world into ‘uncharted territory’”
in The Guardian, by Damian Carrington
“The article clearly and concisely documents some of 2016’s climate extremes and puts them in the context of the warming trend.”
— 22 Mar 2017
Analysis of “Arctic ice melt ‘already affecting weather patterns where you live right now'”
in The Guardian, by Damian Carrington
“The article nicely introduces some of the emerging science linking Arctic climate change to extreme weather at lower latitudes. There are no major inaccuracies and the author has sought expert comment form several prominent scientists. However, the article fails to fully capture the large uncertainty about how Arctic warming may influence weather in places further south and how big this effect might be.”
— 21 Dec 2016
CLAIM REVIEWS
Deserts cool the planet by reflecting solar radiation to space; vegetated areas have an overall warming effect, so planting trees in deserts doesn’t necessarily cool the planet
SOURCE: Ties Van der Hoeven, Steve Rose, The Guardian
Published: 09 Apr 2021
Climate change can make it harder for the Amazon rainforest to grow back from deforestation, but that does not mean 40% of it will now turn into a savanna
SOURCE: Fiona Harvey, The Guardian
Published: 14 Oct 2020
Claim that Arctic warming is already influencing mid-latitude weather correct but still under investigation
SOURCE: Damian Carrington, The Guardian
Published: 21 Dec 2016
