The two-fisted gut punch of Harvey and Irma devastated Caribbean islands, swamped major American cities, blacked out power for millions, and exposed who-knows-how-many people to toxic soup of polluted floodwaters. But one thing these immensely powerful storms could not do was move the television networks to talk about how these storms got to be so strong.<\/p>\n
The Sunday morning news shows, which still help determine the narrative for the Capital, failed to mention the clear connection between these more powerful storms and climate change. The hurricanes were covered, of course, but the scientifically established link between our warming climate and their increased destructive power was raised on only one of the four* major talk shows (CNN\u2019s State of the Union<\/em> with Jake Tapper), according to the non-profit group Media Matters<\/a>.<\/p>\n More broadly, the study<\/a> found that two broadcast networks, ABC and NBC, failed to air a \u201csingle segment on their morning, evening, or Sunday news shows\u201d on the link between climate change and the storms.<\/p>\n The reality is that warmer waters fuel big hurricanes, warmer air holds more water, and rising sea levels surge higher and father. In short, climate change puts storms on steroids. A point NASA drove home as Irma approached Florida with this tweet:<\/p>\n .@NASAEarth<\/a> data shows hot water ahead for #HurricaneIrma<\/a>. Warm oceans are a key ingredient fueling hurricanes: https:\/\/t.co\/PeoCi4vfZh<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DGcLY2r0H4<\/a><\/p>\n — NASA (@NASA) September 7, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n