Can Nakedness Save Us All?
In June 1988, Dr James Hansen, the then director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, in a statement to the U.S. Senate Energy committee declared that the planet is warmer “than at any time in the history of instrumental measurements. Global warming is now large enough that we can ascribe with a high degree of confidence a cause and effect relationship to the greenhouse effect”. This was over 30 years ago. Respected, informed intellectuals have been spreading the message of environmental panic for longer than I have existed upon the ground they wish to protect. Yet, this siren has not been heard.
In the ensuing three decades, scientific evidence has only increased to support the claim of climate change. However, what is most alarming is the apparent lack of alarm amongst popular media. The adorably named ‘leader of the free world’ (air quotes intended), President Trump, has treated these claims, as he does with most sensitive issues, as a tool for potential political gain. In 2016, he claimed to have “an open mind” on the environmental crisis, accepting “there is some connectivity” between the behaviour of our species and the climate. Yes, that does sound vaguely encouraging. But that was pre-election, that feeling will not last.
Fast forward to Trump in office and the appointment of Scott Pruitt as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States of America and that positivity begins to wane. This is the branch of the federal government designed to, as it says on the tin, protect the environment. Pruitt, the designated leader of this department, denies climate change, suggesting that we may in fact benefit from the rising temperatures. Clearly, Trump’s list of priorities is not topped by ‘climate disaster’. A man who was elected on the promise that he would strengthen the American economy and guarantee more jobs, build a wall and make America great again has not strayed far from his campaign promises. Therefore, it would be a significant break from character to suddenly change tactics and usher in a new environmentally conscious government. Of course, this has not happened. Rather, he pulled America from the Paris Climate Accords. A bold move, leaving just the 185 other international parties in the landmark agreement. Hey, ‘murica loves a maverick right?
Nevertheless, his denial of climate change, and his personification of the United States as its leader cannot be undervalued. His example, and opinion, will forever be followed. This is why organisations such as Extinction Rebellion have been created. They are attempting to raise awareness of the “climate emergency” through a series of demonstrations and protests. But, to do this, great metaphorical mountains must be overcome. The societal discourse we operate in would rather give two days of media airtime to Nigel Farage’s new political party than to students protesting institutional racism at Goldsmith’s University – who have just entered their 37th day of occupying Deptford Town Hall.
As such, relatively radical acts must be made to receive notoriety. In the case of Extinction Rebellion, these demonstrations are intended to get activists arrested and sent to prison. Publicity is publicity, and thanks to modern society, nakedness ensures publicity. However, yet again, these actions were not enough to ensure publication of their agenda. On April 17th, 2019, the campaign’s coordinator Robin Boardman walked out of an interview with Sky New’s Adam Boulton after the host described Boardman and his fellow protestors as “incompetent, middle class, self-indulgent people who want to tell us how to live our lives”. Boulton himself is the son of a doctor, educated at a private preparatory school in South West London and took his A levels in a boarding school for boys in Westminster.
Once again, this showed the willingness of popular media to ignore the issue of environmental disaster, with Boulton being its physical manifestation. Sky News, one of the largest information outlets in the world, chose to pursue a line of questioning that was personal, rather than informative. The idea Boardman was there to represent was deemed inferior to his apparent dictatorial tendencies.
How many opportunities have been missed to echo Hansen’s cry from 1988 – and why? The impending environmental crisis is not easy to hear about. It is not easy to write about. But it is for this exact reason that it should be spoken about more. The issue is not going to go away because it is denied, or not reported upon. It will only grow. This begs the question, who really needs to get naked before popular media cares about the Earth dying?
By Rory Hughes