In January, the New York Times has shut down its environmental desk and on Friday it did the same to its Green environmental blog. In an era of unprecedented financial and circulation pressures, it’s inevitable that something has to give for mainstream media. But what does this say about the perception of environmental issues? At best that they’re a peripheral topic that can be addresses under other beats. At worst, that the most important voice in journalism has thrown in the towel. As NYT environmental voice of conscience Andrew Revkin writes, the Times still has “nine sports blogs; nine spanning fashion, lifestyles, health, dining and the like; four business blogs; four technology blogs (five if you include automobiles as a technology); and a potpourri of other great efforts…” But no green blog. Revkin also cites presidential debate moderator Candy Crowley’s dismissive reference to “all you climate-change people.” When is the mainstream media, not to mention the general public, going to understand that “the environment” isn’t some abstract concept that can be marginalized by a lack of reporting resources or attention? If it isn’t already, it’s about to be the defining issue of our time, and if Hurricane Sandy taught us anything, it’s that we’re all “climate-change people.” Via Dot Earth.

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