As David Atkins points out here, at least some journalists seem to be dropping their false balance, "views differ on shape of planet" posture in favor of reporting the simple, frightening facts about climate change.
That represents progress, and is actually kind of a big deal. If the trend continues, it could mean that not even the Koch brothers with their billions will be able to keep derailing any action by confusing people with disinformation.
But here's my question, and I think it's something progressives need to be thinking about: once their last shred of bogus credibility is gone, will the climate deniers be allowed to just slink quietly away, or will there be any effort to hold them accountable for the catastrophe they had a major role in creating?
Recent history might not seem encouraging: after all, the Wall Street banksters and their enablers have largely escaped any reckoning for their disastrous manipulations.
But I think maybe the situation with the climate emergency is different: Wall Street's meltdown seemed like a sudden, unanticipated shock to the system (though of course a few largely-ignored observers did anticipate it). But climate change is a slow-moving catastrophe: we've had plenty of warning, and the deniers have had plenty of time to plot their campaigns of obfuscation and obstruction.
On an emotional level, I badly do not want to see them escape accountability. Frankly, I'd like to hang them upside down by their heels naked on a nice hot day and let them roast for a while in the hell-on-earth they're creating for us all.
But forget that. What we really need to do is start creating powerful narratives that will forever destroy their credibility on this and future issues. Something maybe like this:
The scientists are right. They were right 20 years ago. Climate change is real, and it's man-made. To continue denying it just makes you look ridiculous, evil, or both.
We were warned. But instead of doing anything, we listened to the comforting lies that you used your power and your wealth to sell us: "The jury is still out." "The science isn't clear." "Doing anything would hurt the economy." And now the earth is rushing headlong into an era unlike anything in its long history. Nobody knows how it will end, but we're pretty sure it won't end well—at least as far as humanity is concerned.
So next time you want to sell us some lie—a lie that conveniently supports your efforts to make even more billions—well, we're not going to listen.
Oh, and by the way: what are your grandchildren going to do with all those billions? Build extra-high walls around their gated compounds to keep out the starving, angry mobs you gave us?
I hope people with greater access to the public stage than I have will be ready to unleash a barrage of invective on these creeps such as the world has never seen. In fact, I hope they're already locked and loaded.
After all, you never want to waste a good crisis.