Lacks context
84% of the world’s reefs recently experienced bleaching-level heat stress, but not all were ‘completely bleached’
Claim:
More than 80% of the world’s reefs hit by bleaching.
Reviews of content from
The Guardian
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Source: The Guardian, CBS, 2025-04-23 -
InaccurateDeserts 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
Claim:
"Deserts are heat producers, reflecting around 60% to 70% of the solar energy that falls on them straight back into the atmosphere."; "If we want to do something about global warming, we have to do something about deserts."
Source: The Guardian, Steve Rose, Ties Van der Hoeven, 2021-03-20 -
-1LowGuardian article on Arctic methane emissions claiming “a new climate feedback loop may have been triggered” lacks important context
“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.”
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ImpreciseClimate 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
Claim:
“Amazon near tipping point of switching from rainforest to savannah”
Source: The Guardian, Fiona Harvey, 2020-10-05 -
-1LowArticle in The Guardian misleads readers about sensitivity of climate models by narrowly focusing on single study
“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.”
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0.2NeutralGuardian story on climate impacts of diet gets mixed reviews from scientists
“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.”
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1.5Very highGuardian story accurately describes study on environmental impacts of our food system
“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.”
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0.7HighGuardian story conveys statement by scientists stressing role of deforestation in climate change
“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.” -
1.3HighGuardian story accurately covers sea ice event but makes unsupported connection to weather patterns and the Gulf Stream
“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.”
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1HighGuardian coverage of essay on potential of future "hothouse" climate is generally accurate, but misstates some details
“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.”
