As to sensationalized reporting: as a victim of such reporting, I can attest the editors identify the most controversial 5 second segment or statement and embellish the story from that standpoint. Keep in mind they are in the business of selling advertisement via entertainment rather than reporting the facts of the issue.
As to “climate change”: in the late 70s the “consensus of “scientists”” (double quotes intended being a chemist by training) had the next ice age coming any second now. There was even a Paul Newman movie Quintet, showing us the perils of the new ice age. I suspect if the funding for climate change dried up, so would the excitement about it. The “new green deal” was outed by one of its authors as not directed to the environment, but as a change agent for the economy.
Sorry I may be getting cranky in my old age.