Report: Sunday shows give climate change more air time

Sunday shows have given climate change issues more air time in the first half of 2014 than in the last four years combined, according to a new analysis.

The group Media Matters released the analysis Monday, which regularly tracks coverage of climate change by broadcast news, found that coverage in 2014 is substantially greater than previous years, but still down from its peak in 2009.

{mosads}The report credits a letter led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent late last year, which railed against Sunday shows for the “lack of attention to climate change,” for the uptick in coverage.

Still, climate change has also become a bigger talking point on Capitol Hill, and on the campaign trail.

Republicans have made President Obama’s climate change regulations, specifically those cutting carbon pollution from the nation’s existing power plants, a key target in legislation, hearings, and critical 2014 races.

The analysis shows that ABC’s “This Week,” CBS’ “Face The Nation,” NBC’s “Meet The Press,” and “Fox News Sunday” have dedicated roughly 65 minutes to climate change so far this year, which is the equal to the amount of air time the issue received in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 combined.

Nightly news is a different story however, according to the analysis.

Climate change has received 50 minutes so far this year. In 2013, however, 100 minutes were dedicated to the issue across the major networks except for Fox, which doesn’t have a nightly news program.