XR NYC STANDARDS FOR MEDIA
“If there really was a crisis this big, then we would rarely talk about anything else. As soon as you turn on the TV, almost everything would be about that: headlines, radio, newspapers. You would almost never hear or read about anything else.” -Greta Thunberg
Dear media, it’s time to take a stand.
Declare a climate emergency and report accordingly:
1. Climate headlines daily.
The climate crisis is the biggest story in history, and should be a front-page headline every day.
2. Climate everywhere: Every beat, every story.
Discuss climate breakdown in stories that already cover its causes and effects, and in politics, business, tech, world affairs, energy, immigration, health, real estate, food, sports, the arts, etc.
Provide mandatory trainings for reporters and editors on all beats to understand the essentials of climate science, climate justice, the solutions available for the current crisis, and the history of global climate and ecological injustice.
Report the links to climate breakdown in every story about extreme weather and its effects. Cover the carbon count and include it in the daily weather report.
3. Suggest real solutions.
Stop suggesting consumer-driven solutions.
Start suggesting community-driven solutions and mobilization. Acknowledge the necessity of systemic political and societal change.
4. Use climate emergency language.
Stop calling it “climate change.” Name the threat: “climate crisis,” “climate breakdown,” “climate destruction,” or “climate emergency.”
Use language that states the risks of the crisis more clearly. For example, “global warming” becomes “global heating,” and “biodiversity” becomes “wildlife.”
Do not promote statements that cast doubt on the scientific consensus that a catastrophic climate crisis is under way and driven by human activity.
Do not promote the opinion of writers who cast doubt on the scientific consensus and the effects of the climate emergency.
5. Enact climate standards for political endorsements.
At a minimum prerequisites should include support for halting all new fossil fuel infrastructure, support for a climate plan with zero emissions in 10 years or less and the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge.
6. Remove financial conflicts of interest.
Ban advertising from companies that trade in fossil fuels.
Divest from fossil fuel companies.
“People listen to you. They are influenced by you, and therefore, you have an enormous responsibility. And let's be honest, this is a responsibility that most of you have failed to take.“ -Greta Thunberg