Martin Luther King Jr. once noted that the greatest threat to justice comes from the liberal class. He critiqued “the white moderate, who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice.” Though King addressed the struggle for African American freedom, his insights resonate today as I watch Richard Madeley, a moderate, discuss the alarming climate crisis with apparent sincerity. Western Europe is ablaze, and the cause seems elusive.
The original version of this article first appeared in Clare Farrell’s newsletter. To read the unfiltered commentary, visit her Substack.
Fault
Madeley now claims, “we were warned” and “knew this was going to happen.” Now that the predicted catastrophe is unfolding, what can be done? Possibly nothing?!
Excuse me?!
For decades, figures like Richard Madeley and the liberal media class have subtly persuaded the public to ignore the climate crisis. They distract from the power, pain, money, politics, industries, and public relations tricks involved—essentially urging people to look away.
This group has done everything possible to suggest the climate crisis might not be human-induced, or that it is an individual’s fault, rather than attributing it to oil and gas executives who knew their actions.
Deflect
Liberal media figures have supported entities like the Atlas Network of think tanks and Policy Exchange, aiming to dehumanize activists and protect profit margins from those advocating for truth, life, love, and compassion.
To be clear, individuals like Richard Madeley have significantly contributed to the current environmental disaster witnessed on European television.
King understood that moderates or liberals resist the “positive tension” of justice, which involves sharing power, equality, wealth, land, rights, and survival with marginalized groups.
Regarding the climate crisis, this aversion to “positive tension” risks us all—including their own families—facing wildfires and food shortages.
Figures like Madeley, Allister Heath from The Telegraph, Jordan Peterson, and Piers Morgan, strive to deny and deflect the reality of climate collapse, maintaining the moderate, liberal narrative of the status quo.
Chaos
They promote the idea that growth is beneficial, individuals are sovereign, and decision-making should be left to an educated elite. This commitment to Western progress narratives obstructs necessary actions to address our climate crisis.
Currently, fires are a significant feedback loop. This year, 393 wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales, with the fire risk remaining high after over 200 fires in just 12 days. This doesn’t include Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, and others, where carbon sinks are destroyed, ecosystems are decimated, and a mass extinction event is underway. Recovery seems impossible, with similar or worse heat expected by 2027.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that the loudest and richest often display willful ignorance. Their denial and avoidance ensure perpetual chaos.
Meaning-making
Contrary to Allister Heath’s belief, we cannot simply adopt a Mediterranean lifestyle and ignore the situation. We may soon fight over food. Climate scientist Professor Stefan Ramstorf highlighted this by showing a glimpse of the Mediterranean lifestyle recently.
Unless we alter the narrative about who we are, our future is bleak. The government attempted to suppress a report from its secret service, but the reality is evident.
Fires emit carbon and destroy nature, accelerating planetary warming and causing more fires. Even a classroom of 10-year-olds could grasp this fundamental fact.
So, what’s Heath’s issue? Or Madeley’s, or Morgan’s? Extreme privilege seemingly blinds them to facts. As right-wing figures like Charlie Kirk challenge, change my mind!
These moderate men have largely obstructed and delayed serious public understanding of the climate crisis.
Distrust
Undoubtedly, they will next draw false comparisons between our situation and others globally. I’m anticipating the “fires are bigger in Australia” argument.
Just as it was easy for me, Madeley could have researched and understood the evidence. It would have been straightforward to become informed about what was glaringly evident seven years ago.
At that time, we were on a path towards civilizational collapse, irreversible breakdown, and the loss of everything cherished, with no future for younger generations.
Instead, Madeley seemed too invested in motivated reasoning or arrogance to learn, despite having a research team at his disposal!
Rather than address the most crucial issue in human history, he chose to foster distrust among people like me, like us.
Gall
Observe what Madeley tells Gail Bradbrook, Extinction Rebellion co-founder: “Sir David Attenborough is not a saint.” Was questioning Attenborough the most important message for his viewers?
Ordinary citizens lacking means, resources, privilege, or power appear on his show, saying, “This is happening. It’s guaranteed unless radical action is taken. I’m here, ready to go to jail, willing to sacrifice my life to make a difference.”
When these citizens claim the crisis already claims 400,000 lives annually and warn that Europe will burn and starve, Madeley ridicules them publicly, attacking their identities and misleading audiences.
How does this align with his recent assertion, Richard, that you “knew this was going to happen”? Yet, you have the audacity to act as if you knew all along.
Jail
If you knew this was coming, why didn’t you help? Why not listen to your conscience? I’m still wondering, why didn’t you assist?
King’s quote echoes: people like Madeley prefer ‘order’ over justice.
They’d rather maintain the status quo, endure collapse, and endanger future generations than face the tension of admitting wrongness or powerlessness. It’s too threatening to their established order.
Now, public order laws have changed so drastically that breaking a window or painting a building might label you a terrorist.
This effectively strips away legal rights: no fair trial, no political life, no privacy, and certain jail time.
Vested
Nonviolent disruption is society’s best defense against injustice—a crucial warning system. If you haven’t realized this, you’re not paying attention.
Undoubtedly, you’ll be “shocked” by the violence and disorder when supermarket shelves are empty.
People will likely unleash fury when they realize the planet’s natural wealth and abundance, once self-replenishing, has been destroyed for profit and can never be restored. What response can we expect?
Newspapers continue to campaign against climate action while reporting on fossil fuel devastation.
Recently, The Times featured holidaymakers on a beach gazing at a burning horizon, part of an anti-net-zero agenda campaign. These outlets aren’t objective; they’re vested interest campaign machines.
Unforgivable
The media wields power to crush and destroy young people, women, the poor, and ordinary citizens who resist. This “punching down” is pathetic. I’d prefer confronting true climate deniers.
Eventually, this will unravel. The Climate Genocide Act Now campaign has compiled evidence and filed a complaint against The Telegraph.
Until then, how do we express, “We told you so”? It’s unpleasant, but we told you so.
I can only conclude that the liberal media class exhibits psychopathic tendencies. Their climate legacy is unforgivable.
Here’s what should happen now.
Wildfires
I urge young people to disown Richard Madeley, Nick Ferrari, and Piers Morgan. Disown the hubristic, macho, bullish, idiotic, liberal men in media.
These men now act as if they were always right, yet despise anyone questioning their privilege, complicity, morality, humanity, or foresight.
Consider the liberal media class members who’ve maligned scientists, conscientious objectors, activists, and protestors for years.
These individuals should consult their grandchildren or young acquaintances about appropriate repentance.
Then, they should spend their lives serving the floods, wildfires, nature, and the world.
Distorted
Climate activists propose retroactive strategies. How can we keep records for future justice?
There’s the Climate Genocide Act Now campaign, the Media Sovereignty Act campaign, and the Media Tell the Truth campaign.
Numerous activists recognize mainstream media as a deadly facet of Western culture. They hinder essential meaning-making needed for human survival.
The United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) states: “When public understanding of risk is systematically distorted, collective response capacity weakens. This becomes evident in crises.”
In the UK, GB News aired over four anti-climate claims daily before the 2024 general election, reports DeSmog.
Unchecked
They are life’s enemies. They oppose the public and should be treated accordingly. Accountability isn’t violence. Demanding accountability isn’t violence; it is justice.
In the nonviolent tradition, we take responsibility for our actions. We live in consequential times. As a climate movement, we ask people to bear the responsibility of living now.
This includes those shaping our context through narrative and communication.
Those owning, producing, and promoting dominant narratives hold great power and responsibility.
It’s unbelievable, unacceptable, to let that power go unchecked.
Permission-space
Consider what has transpired and continues. Look at how Allister Heath and Jordan Peterson still argue for surrender or adopting a Mediterranean lifestyle while the world burns. They claim climate action is a woke Left agenda.
I know the narrative power in our media’s public sphere must be reclaimed from these individuals.
They might feign ignorance, but they know their actions and should be held accountable.
Consider who holds credibility in our society. Regrettably, we warned you.
This Author
Clare Farrell co-founded Extinction Rebellion and is currently building real democracy in service to life. The original version of this article appeared on Clare’s newsletter. To read the unfiltered commentary, visit her Substack now.
