The Guardian newspaper has published a series of important corrections and clarifications, addressing factual errors in recent articles. The amendments cover a significant misstatement regarding climate engineering research and an incorrect date for a pivotal moment in American politics.
Key Amendments on Science and Politics
In a letter published on 16 December, Professor Hugh Hunt discussed the controversial field of solar radiation modification (SRM), sometimes called solar geoengineering. The published version incorrectly stated that this technique could achieve a global cooling of 10 degrees Celsius using 10 million tonnes of sprayed material.
The newspaper has now clarified that Professor Hunt's intended figure was a cooling of 1 degree Celsius (1C). This correction is vital for the public and scientific understanding of SRM's proposed scale and potential impact.
Separately, an editorial in the 17 December edition misstated the date of the storming of the US Capitol. The piece incorrectly referenced the event as happening in 2020. The correction confirms the attack occurred on 6 January 2021, a key date in modern US political history.
Other Recently Amended Articles
The regular Corrections and clarifications column also listed other articles that have been recently updated. These include features on travel to the United States, the impact of Google's AI summaries on recipe writers, a list of the best TV shows of 2025, and an obituary for Susan Todd.
This process of transparent amendment is a standard part of the newspaper's editorial policy, aiming to ensure accuracy and maintain trust with its readership.
How to Report an Error
The Guardian has outlined the channels through which readers can submit complaints or request corrections. Editorial concerns can be sent via email to guardian.readers@theguardian.com.
Alternatively, readers can write by post to the Readers' editor at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, or leave a voicemail message on +44 (0)20 3353 4736.
These corrections underscore the importance of precision in journalism, especially when reporting on complex scientific topics like climate engineering and major political events. The swift amendment process helps to mitigate the spread of misinformation and upholds the publication's editorial standards.
