(Image Source: Tree Hugger/Nickelodeon)

BY LOGAN TITTLE

ANCHOR AUSTIN KIM

You're watching multisource U.S. news analysis from Newsy.

America’s favorite sponge is making waves with the media.

During an event hosted by the Department of Education, kids were given a bundle of free books -- one of which included Spongebob Squarepants and his efforts to “go green.”
(Video Source: Department of Education)

While the youngsters seem to enjoy themselves, some other -- older -- observers, are saying the pineapple loving sponge is posing problems.

“Clearly Nickelodeon is pushing a Global Warming agenda, and while there is no disputing the fact the Earth is getting a little warmer, the big question is, is it man made? Or is it just one of those gigantic climactic phases? …It’s unproven science. This is a public education system that we all pay our tax dollars for and the Spongebob book says that it’s a man made problem…”
(video source: Climate Brad)

Fox News accuses the character and his krusty crew of being one-sided on the issue -- saying that’s just unacceptable.

Media Matters pushed back at the network, citing organizations and research to back up the man-made decline of the environment.

According to the American Chemical Society: "… scientific assessments of our current and potential future climates …indicate that climate change is real, largely attributable to emissions from human activities…”

And...

“…the American Meteorological Society said ‘there is adequate evidence’ to conclude ‘that humans have significantly contributed’ to climate change …”

One writer on About.com asks -- outside of scientific debate -- what’s wrong with teaching kids to respect the environment as a general rule?

“Even if the people who reject the idea of man made global warming are absolutely right, what harm comes from teaching kids to respect the environment, and to study and appreciate the effects our actions have on the world around us?”

While Mr. Squarepants may have fallen in the Fox fire line, Planetsave.com says -- don’t expect Nickelodeon to take the criticism lying down.

“Knowing the folks that work over at Nickelodeon, I doubt they will take the attack lightly. I imagine we may see an episode in the near future that features a rebuttal to Fox and Friends.”

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