Thanks to the NAEE weekly round up for the story that the BBC is working with Greta Thunberg on a new series about climate change. Rob Liddell, a BBC Studios Executive Producer gushed:
“Climate change is probably the most important issue of our lives so it feels timely to make an authoritative series that explores the facts and science behind this complex subject. To be able to do this with Greta is an extraordinary privilege, getting an inside view on what it’s like being a global icon and one of the most famous faces on the planet.”
My heart sank at this guff. It sank some as I read this ...
"As she travels Greta meets not only leading scientists but political leaders and business heavyweights, exploring the scientific evidence with them and challenging them to change. The films will also charts her own journey into adulthood as she continues to be confronted by the real world consequences of inaction; and will share some of the quiet moments as she writes the impactful speeches that are now broadcast and analysed around the world, as she lives a teenage life like no other."
Dear me; this sounds as if it's going to be both exploitative and hagiographic with little chance of a challenge to Thunberg's doom-laden views. Clearly the series is going to be another one to miss, but then I don't watch any of the BBC's (and other broadcasters') nature programmes. However, then I thought there'll be some angst here for the BBC if it really is going to follow her around Europe or on the high seas. How will its producers and presenters cope when there are no air miles on offer?
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