On Friday’s "Good Morning America," weatherman and liberal environmental activist Sam Champion hyped a new global warming study released on April 6. The ABC anchor also featured a representative from a left-wing environmental group and failed to identify the organization’s political slant.
Only minutes after reporting on the "arctic blast" of unusually cold temperatures that much of the country is facing, Champion touted a new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that noted "we’re already facing earlier springs."
The GMA weatherman then went on to feature a clip from Brenda Ekwurzel, a representative of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Mr. Champion failed to mention, as did the onscreen graphic, the fact that the UCS has promoted liberal causes such as nuclear test ban treaties and even attacked the Media Research Center for casting doubt on global warming.
Champion prefaced his piece on "baking droughts" and dramatic temperature increases with a report on the brutally cold weather that is striking the East Coast this spring:
Sam Champion: "But it’s a shot of cold air and it’s opened the door for arctic air all the way through the nation. Call it about two thirds of the nation getting this push of arctic cold. This is normally a December, mid-December pattern. As this cold air goes, look at the shades of blue in just about all areas."
Without any sense of irony, Mr. Champion began his segment, which aired a few minutes later at 7:13am, by discussing the new report:
Diane Sawyer: "Well, I'm here with Sam this morning, because there's a brand new report out on global warming. And this one finally translates what all this means for humans."
Sam Champion: "Yes. The second of four expected reports. 450 lead authors of the world's top scientists have been hammering it all night and the results, the results just came out hours ago. Baking droughts in America's west, more waging wildfires in places like California and Texas. And swamped eastern coast lines. That's the future of our world, today's report says, unless global warming is stopped."
Brenda Ekwurzel (Union of Concerned Scientists): "The evidence is quite strong, and the time for action is now."
Champion: "These scientists say we're already facing earlier springs and losing ice. If global temperatures continue to rise, things could get worse. A boost of just 1.6 degrees from present average temperatures could lead to the extinction of 30 percent of species worldwide. A rise of four degrees, over half the world's species could be lost. Already, America's west is feeling the effects. In the midst of a 10 year drought. Look at this, Nevada's lake Mead, a pier to nowhere. What was the lake is 80 feet below normal levels. Seven states draw their water from the dwindling Colorado River. As the water levels drop, officials are scrambling to take action before it's too late."
Pat Mulroy (General Mgr, Las Vegas Valley Water District): "All of us in the Colorado River basin are headed for a much more conservative use of water."
Champion: "$2.5 billion in billion in water projects are already under way, among them, a proposed 280 mile pipeline across parched Nevada."
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: " We are in desperate need."
Champion: "Governor's Schwarzenegger is proposing bonds for new water storage in California as well. The question is, is any of this enough? And how can we stop it? Well, their third report which comes out in May will detail their ideas, these same scientists ideas, on how to stop global warming."
During the piece, the ABC anchor allowed no dissenting opinions and didn't explain the financial cost to "stop global warming."
Mr. Champion has a long history of promoting liberal environmental causes, often in disguise. On April 2, the GMA weatherman hosted a segment on the new phenomenon of green weddings. One of the participants in such a ceremony just happened to be an employee of the left-wing Sierra Club. In January, he highlighted an earlier global warming report in a piece that wondered if "billions" will die from global warming.
In comparison, NBC’s "Today" show didn’t mention the new report at all. Over on CBS, "Early Show" reporter Mark Phillips hosted a segment in the 7am hour that covered much of the same ground, but without any liberal activists masquerading as neutral observers.
Chris Wragge: "Now to the latest report on global warming, and the news is not good. CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips is live in London with details this morning, Mark, good morning."
Mark Phillips: "Chris, well the first U.N. report this year dealt with global warming and how it meant that things were going to get bad. The second report deals with where the worst of that bad would be. And because this report is so specific, it was also extremely political. In fact, finalizing the report which was years in the making, came down to an all-night session last night, described as very contentious."
Rajendra Pachauri: "I am wearing the suit that I wore yesterday morning. And I've been sitting in a chair all night."
Phillips: "Every line had to be agreed not only by an international panel of top climate scientists but by governments as well, and that was the problem. Particularly, it seems, the governments of the United States, China, and Saudi Arabia. But the major thrust of the report could not be watered down. It concludes that those who are already suffering most in this world are going to suffer worse due to global warming. Poor people in poor countries are going to be most affected as the climate warms in the next century. The already parched areas of sub Sahara Africa will get hotter, drier, and less able to support populations. And the low-lying areas of Asia, called the megadeltas, will be particularly vulnerable to sea level rise."
Pachauri: "It's the poorest of the poor in the world who are going to be the worst hit."
Phillips: "But the rich countries are not immune. The report warns of increased risks of brush fires in California, of insect infestations and of increased frequencies of heat waves in the American cities already prone to them. And the U.S. has its own low-lying areas in the southeast whose vulnerability will increase. And, so, the scientists have had their say. The question now is whether governments will buy into it. Global warming is an issue that is already moving away from science and into politics."
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.




















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Comments Policy
Come on Scott, cut poor Sam a
April 6, 2007 - 12:24 ET by rimskyCome on Scott, cut poor Sam a break. See, he just reads the news. No one told him he had to comprehend it.
450
April 6, 2007 - 23:19 ET by acadia1755What happened to the 2500 scientists from the ...not so scary anymore
"Summary for policy makers"?
"Nevada's lake Mead, a p
April 6, 2007 - 13:42 ET by Mean Gene Dr. Love"Nevada's lake Mead, a pier to nowhere. What was the lake is 80 feet below normal levels"
Are they using pre-9/11 levels as their "normal"? If so they are idiots. The level of Lake Mead has been reduced in order to lessen any disaster that would result in a terrorist strike on Hoover Dam. Additionally these Global Warming Alarmists are the same people that would use every effort to block the construction of the very same dam if it was under construction today.
How about this all you GW/Tree-Hugger people out in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado that like to drink water and have water on demand in your home and use electricity...Lake Mead's "natural" level is between 400 and 500 feet lower than current levels and it is not a lake but, the Colorado River.
So all the GW and Environmentalists should really figure out how they are going to do better at trying to convince people into supporting them. If you are generally opposed to building dams it is foolish to then use the Lake created by a dam to illustrate how bad Global Warming is...not only does the lake exist because of the dam but, the water levels behind the dam are controlled by man--not Global Warming.
Back to the drawing board.
"There is a time to take counsel of your fears, and there is a time to never listen to any fear." --General George S. Patton, Jr.
I take it no one bothered to
April 6, 2007 - 15:08 ET by dscottI take it no one bothered to consider the ever increasing draws upon the Colorado River by LA, other municipalities and farmers that gives them allotments greater than the actual volume flow of the river, just might cause less water to be stored behind the dam???? Apparently, these people really think we are stupid or can't remember there are other issues going on with the river system.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
That too. I didn't want to ge
April 6, 2007 - 15:36 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveThat too. I didn't want to get into the whole Colorado River Water Rights/Allotment issues. I am quite familiar with all that garbage. While attending UNLV my wife did extensive research and attended meetings about the water rights for a big Honors Capstone course she was taking...I proof-read and spell-checked the project for her not to mention all of the hours we discussed the water rights...she knows and understands way more about it than I could hope to know.
"There is a time to take counsel of your fears, and there is a time to never listen to any fear." --General George S. Patton, Jr.
Thank you for clarifying the
April 7, 2007 - 14:03 ET by dahliatraversThank you for clarifying the cause of Lake Mead's fluctuations, Dr. COMPLETE information like that is what has too often been missing in the discussion on GW.
Sounds like the old west to
April 6, 2007 - 13:53 ET by bassndudeSounds like the old west to me. Droughts and fires were a thing everyone dealt with. I remember some of the stories my grandparents used to tell of droughts, dust storms and wild fires. Back then, it was all part of Gods plan, Gods way of taking care of the earth, doing away with the old to make room for the new. Now, it seems to be global warming...go figure.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
RECORD COLD IN HAWAII,http://
April 6, 2007 - 14:06 ET by upcountrywaterRECORD COLD IN HAWAII,
http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/rer.php
burrr.
. . . and it just started s
April 6, 2007 - 14:08 ET by Gat New York. . . and it just started snowing for the second day in a row in New York. Want to know what the weather is? Look outside. What is Sam Champion's precise record at forecasting the weather day to day? Can't be too precise. So what makes him think he can forecast anything else?
It used to be that these gl
April 6, 2007 - 14:37 ET by radiofitz34It used to be that these global warming reports didn't air during the cold weather months. Now while many of us in the northeast are freezing our butts off in April, they run the story anyway. Morons!
They will tell this GW tale until EVERYONE believes it. And that's an order! You must believe it or your dog will die. If I want propaganda I'll watch this crap. I prefer to remain sane.
The GW alarmists just pretend
April 6, 2007 - 14:37 ET by bigtimerThe GW alarmists just pretend like none of this is happening, or spin it to blame GW...on and on it goes.
It will never end...until the real word gets out with enough people on the realistic side of life speaking out.
Newt/Kerry debate is going to be interesting and fun.
Newt will clean Kerry's clock..which isn't hard to do anyway.
Minnesota Twins @ Chicago Whi
April 6, 2007 - 14:59 ET by nicksmith112Minnesota Twins @ Chicago White Sox game tonight POSTPONED......reason given.....toooooo cold!
nick...LMAO!Thanks for that!S
April 6, 2007 - 15:06 ET by bigtimernick...
LMAO!
Thanks for that!
Sorry to the fans though!
Where's Algore when you need him!
sissy baseball players
April 6, 2007 - 15:13 ET by florida_chadsissy baseball players
fc,Good point!This whole coun
April 6, 2007 - 15:16 ET by bigtimerfc,
Good point!
This whole country has become sissified in more ways than one!
Too cold to play outside when
April 6, 2007 - 15:21 ET by florida_chadToo cold to play outside when your making hundreds of thousands of $$?
The NFL is just as bad with the superbowl. Must be in a dome or a warm weather city. Crap on that. Play in the snow, cold or whatever.
BT - Its supposed to be in the 30's tomorrow night here in FL. Where is this GW I keep hearing about :)
Why fc...we're getting your G
April 6, 2007 - 15:31 ET by bigtimerWhy fc...we're getting your GW now!
Near 50 something here now...only have to keep a smudge going in the fire...windows open...just love it!
I so agree with you about sports getting so wussified, I crack up laughing when I see people in the NE closing schools if there is even a hint of an inch or two of snow...
What the hell has happened to this country?
It is winter...still spring-time...weather happens!
Deal with it!
Our Forefathers...heck with Forefathers, depending on how old we all are on here..our fathers let alone ourselves...this is totally ridiculous!
Bigtimer, Good point on wussy
April 6, 2007 - 15:43 ET by Scott WhitlockBigtimer,
Good point on wussy sports stars. I'm in a funk about baseball anyway. My Phillies are already 0-3.
Sam Champion really stands out as the most liberal weatherman on the network morning shows. (Isn't that an odd statement? Who would have thought we'd be worrying about liberal weathermen?)
Scott Whitlock
Scott...LOL!I depend on the t
April 6, 2007 - 16:03 ET by bigtimerScott...
LOL!
I depend on the three day forecast from weather critters about like I do the checks in the mail...
I just look outside...tells it all!
"My Phillies are alrea
April 6, 2007 - 16:08 ET by MightyMouth"My Phillies are already 0-3"
Well Scott, what do expect from a baseball team with a name like that? :-)
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Dang MM!I was feeling bad abo
April 6, 2007 - 16:13 ET by bigtimerDang MM!
I was feeling bad about forgetting not to wish Scott some luck so he would get out of his funk...now look what you've gone and done!
You rogue you!
Happy Easter ahead of time friend!
Good luck Scott btw!
Happy Easter to you too BT.
April 6, 2007 - 16:19 ET by MightyMouthHappy Easter to you too BT. I do feel kind of bad for calling tumbler a "child abuser". Do you think that was a little uncalled for? Maybe I should PM him and apologize? .............NAW!...NOT!...NOWAY! :-p
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
MM...No Way...No How!LMAO!
April 6, 2007 - 16:23 ET by bigtimerMM...
No Way...No How!
LMAO!
Mighty, I sympathize with y
April 6, 2007 - 17:25 ET by John in CAScott, I sympathize with you friend. My Orioles are also 0-3. Ugh. This is what happens to your team when a trial lawyer, (who are the smartest people in the world), owns your team. The only thing good that has come from his ownership is he managed to keep the team in Bawlamor.
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
On the Astros (or is that the Lastros?)
April 6, 2007 - 23:44 ET by UnsaneWell, my Astros are 0-4. At least I got to see Jeff Bagwell Appreciation Night tonight. It would be so nice if Drayton McLane would just shell out some bucks for a free agent or two, and work harder to keep some pitching in town. Bagwell is now retired and Biggio is NOT far behind (65 hits to 3000).
On 26 August, they retire jersey #5.
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
Hey chad,I was up your way la
April 6, 2007 - 15:52 ET by BlondeHey chad,
I was up your way last weekend...went horseback riding along the Suwanee River. It was absolutely beautiful up there.
How were things in Title Town this week? Oh how I wish I could have been there!
I knew Billy D. wasn't going anywhere.
Many Cleveland fans are grumb
April 6, 2007 - 15:26 ET by QueenMumMany Cleveland fans are grumbling today that the Tribe has chosen to play despite the cold weather and a predicted heavy snowfall. They even had to salt the seats to get rid of the ice from last night.
If baseball want to play in A
April 6, 2007 - 15:30 ET by florida_chadIf baseball want to play in April and earn that money, then they wil have to play in the cold. Maybe the fans will stay home.
chad: Problem is that those w
April 6, 2007 - 15:35 ET by QueenMumchad: Problem is that those with season tickets don't have a reasonable alternative - either freeze their butts off or miss a game without reimbursement.
This is the opening week of
April 6, 2007 - 17:20 ET by John in CAThis is the opening week of baseball season. For as long as I can remember, every year at this time there are baseball games postponed or cancelled all over the United States due to weather. Either downpours, snow or too cold. It happens during the opening days of baseball every year!
Also, this past Sunday, NASCAR ran at Martinsville. In the early 90's (93 or 94) the race at Martinsville was postponed to a Monday because of rain and snow.
While the rest of the country is experience snow and cold, here in the CA desert we are running a few degrees above our seasonal norm. However, for instance, today it touched 90 degrees. The record for this date? In 1989, 95 degrees. More evidence of, well of something.
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
The already parched areas of
April 6, 2007 - 15:15 ET by dscottThe already parched areas of sub Sahara Africa will get hotter, drier, and less able to support populations
Is that why the Sahara Desert is shrinking and farmers are moving back into the Sahel??? Thank you global warming. At least if you are going to blame Global Warming for something, pick an actual occuring phenomenon you can blame it on like huricanes (btw-it doesn't affect them) or floods, don't invent them from scratch.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
Check this story out.
April 6, 2007 - 15:23 ET by Roger the ShrubberCheck this story out.
Thanks, Roger. When the rain
April 6, 2007 - 15:30 ET by QueenMumThanks, Roger. When the rain god and disease are causing havoc, call on the government to ...... do what? And what exactly is the political motivation of the rain god?
Yep, the farmers around here
April 6, 2007 - 15:48 ET by USA4freedomYep, the farmers around here are worried about the strawberries freezing tonight. As we watch the TV and get hit with that line: are you going to believe us or your lying eyes?
America is best described by one word, freedom... Dwight D. Eisenhower
Tomorrow's weather
April 6, 2007 - 22:36 ET by UnsaneForecast high for tomorrow: 47 degrees in Houston.
FORTY-SEVEN!!!
So much for global warming...
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
warming, schmarming
April 7, 2007 - 14:42 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls. . .450 lead authors of the world's top scientists have been hammering it
all night and the results, the results just came out hours ago.
I thought the consensus was 1600 plus scientists? Did some of them succumb to Global Warming? Aside from that,
. . . If global temperatures continue to rise, things could get worse. A
boost of just 1.6 degrees from present average temperatures could lead
to the extinction of 30 percent of species worldwide. A rise of four
degrees, over half the world's species could be lost.
I thought warm was good. Look at the warmest places on earth, the tropics, and you will find the greatest biodiversity. So how is a warmer earth bad for life? Won't warmer temps promote diversity?
Sheesh.
What nonsense.
D
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