Vanity Fair magazine has decided to scrap its annual "green issue" this year! For the last three years, the monthly mag has made a big deal out of its May issue that's been dedicated to the environment: like having Leonardo DiCaprio posing on an iceberg, and 2008's open letter from Robert Kennedy Jr to the next US president asking for action on global warming. This year though, the tradition has bruptly ended with little fanfare.
The publisher of Vanity Fair, Conde Nest, claims that environmental issues are so standard now in the news that a dedicated issue is unnecessary. "Vanity Fair remains committed to covering the environment, and we'll spread our coverage throughout the year, instead of relegating the bulk of it to a specific issue" a spokeswoman says.
Some have said the move is a sign that the environment is moving down the priority list by the news media, overtaken by the current world economic crisis. May be the case as recent research shows that coverage of the environment has fallen significantly. Data from research firm, TNS Media Intelligence, showes that national newspaper coverage of environmental issues – including climate change, global warming, green consumerism and sustainability – fell by 27 per cent in 2008.
And Vanity Fair admits that the recession was a part in their decision to kill the "green issue": "With so much else going on relating to the global financial crisis, we have been focusing on that of late". Many environmentalists are concerned that the decision may change the perception of green issues by businesses and consumers. "It is vital that green living is not treated as a trend that comes and goes, but that it becomes part of the way we live," says Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF. See full story at the Independent.co.uk. We agree, eco and green living is part of everyday life, and requires attention and effort daily.
What's your feeling, is "green" news coverage necessary? Is the green revolution over?
Comments