champagne new year

On to 2021. And not a moment too soon.

Here's hoping the new year brings the climate change coverage we need.

Here in Georgia, 2021 begins on January 5, because we won't find out until then who our two U.S. Senators are.


Come to think of it, the U.S. won't know who controls our Senate until then. So America ends the detestable year 2020 by filing an incomplete. Not to mention the quadrennial one-day bonus for leap year.

Here are a few wishes that I'd like to see fulfilled in 2021. I'm not holding my breath. But maybe, just maybe the American media will fully recognize the climate crisis.

Al Roker, who reportedly earns $10 million and has won seven Daytime Emmy Awards for weather casts on NBC networks, to be cut loose to focus more on how climate change will haunt the entire 21st Century the way COVID-19 has for the past year (he does a good job when permitted to do so).

More network correspondents like ABC's Clayton Sandell who report regularly on climate politics and the links between climate change and extreme weather or wildfire events. We have breaking news as we come on the air: ABC laid Sandell off last month. Joyeux Noël, Clayton! And certainly not a good signal that climate change is a good topic to build a network career on.

I'd like to see more of CBS News's Scott Pelley, who did a thorough 60 Minutes segment this year, possibly even better than the one previous he did in 2006. Maybe it becomes a more regular feature.

More superb storytellers like CNN's Bill Weir, whose role as "Chief Climate Correspondent" wrongly suggests he's not the only climate correspondent (pretty much anywhere on US news nets, not just CNN).

And a slightly different wish, have you seen the API ads that flood the Sunday morning cable and broadcast talkshows about all their members doing to lower carbon emissions? That's not the Application Programming Interface(s) that help drive your social media. Rather it's the American Petroleum Institute. I'd love to know more about those ads, and similar ones from API members like ExxonMobil and Shell US. Like how much money do local and national broadcasters and websites make from airing falsehoods like these?

There are scores of journalists at dying newspapers who have been tossed on the layoff wagon because they're on a low priority beat that's often criticized as biased, incorrect, or both. Even if their beat -- climate and environment -- gets vindicated on a daily basis by both predictive science and on-the-ground fact.

Tragically, that beat looks smarter every year. Cheers.

Peter Dykstra is our weekend editor and columnist and can be reached at pdykstra@ehn.org or @pdykstra.

His views do not necessarily represent those of Environmental Health News, The Daily Climate or publisher, Environmental Health Sciences.

Banner photo credit: Al404/flickr

A closeup of a man's hand on a gas pump filling his car with fuel

Fossil fuel emissions are expected to fall in 2026. Why aren’t climate experts celebrating?

Experts warn that a drop in emissions partly driven by conflict and trade disruptions is not sustainable in the long term.
Night view of Thames River and London with smoke in the air

Air pollution soars as fog traps emissions in England’s urban areas

Particles from fireworks and bonfires likely to have contributed to levels well above WHO’s daily guideline.

A tilted home off its foundation on the beach following Hurricane Sandy
Credit: Glynnis Jones/BigStock Photo ID:

'Barrier Islands 101': No easy answers for NC12, beach houses

Presentations about vital and vulnerable N.C. Highway 12, collapsing homes, the national park and life on the Outer Banks during the Coastal Resources Commission’s recent meeting in New Bern illustrate a sobering challenge.
3D rendering depicting interconnection and electrification based on clean energy

Electrification explained: Clean energy to curb warming

From EVs and electric buses on the road, heat pumps warming homes and solar panels powering appliances, the shift to electrifying tech is already in full swing. But what exactly does "electrification" mean?
FPSO tanker vessel and Oil Rig platform. Offshore oil and gas industry. Flare is burning with smoke
Credit: Heatray/BigStock Photo ID: 240240058

Why the world is still running on fossil fuels after 30 years of climate talks

Missed opportunities, industry influence and political maneuvering are behind the lack of progress in slowing global warming.
Warehouse or data center roof covered with solar panels

Senate advances energy legislation amid data center backlash

The Senate is moving forward with bipartisan legislation to speed up permitting for data centers and infrastructure projects.
3D rendering isolated on white background illustrative of renewable energy and sustainable development in Australia concept.
Credit: AlexLMX/BigStock Photo ID: 202260370

Will Australia push for fossil fuel exit at UN talks?

The heat is on Australia as chief negotiator at the COP31 UN climate conference to forge a path away from coal and gas, and to protect Pacific neighbors facing rising sea levels.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.