Monday, April 12, 2010

Former governor Sarah Palin is teaming up with Discovery Communications for a new nature series she will “guide.”

Discovery describes the show as a documentary series about the state’s natural wonders hosted by the 2008 vice presidential nominee, Fox News contributor and best-selling memoirist.

She will receive more than $1 million per episode, Variety reported.

Discovery deservedly earned its reputation as a network renowned for documenting our natural world, with award-winning programs such as Planet Earth and networks such as Animal Planet.

For a corporation that built that reputation on educating viewers about scientific realities, the decision to give Palin a platform seems somewhat disturbing.

Among Palin’s anti-science positions is her denial that humans contribute to climate change.

She called global warming science “snake oil science,” ignoring warnings of the nation’s most prestigious scientific academies, such as NASA and the National Academy of Sciences.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the TLC network will air her eight-part series.

Network owner Discovery Communications announced March 25 that it acquired rights to the series being produced by Mark Burnett, who produces “Survivor,” so it ought to suitably show off Alaska’s splendor.

The series tells stories of the 49th state’s unique features and will be called “Sarah Palin’s Alaska.”

Let’s be open-minded enough to watch the show before condemning it.