Letters to the editor about TV meteorologists
Write letters to the editor asking TV forecasters to make the connection between climate change and weather
The American Meteorological Society recently updated its statement on climate change, directly saying that global warming is occurring because of human activities, going so far as to say, “Avoiding this future warming will require a large and rapid reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.”
ACTION:
Send letters to the editor of your local newspaper citing the AMS statement and asking that local meteorologists talk more about climate change and its affect on our weather.
Points to make in your letter:
- Open by referencing reports about extreme weather, like Superstorm Sandy, that have been in the news.
- Make the connection between such weather extremes and our changing climate.
- Cite the recently-revised statement from the American Meteorological Society about climate change, and ask that local weather-casters (mentioning them by name is good) help their audiences understand how climate change is affecting their weather.
- If you know of local meteorologists who are doing this, acknowledge them by name and ask that colleagues at other stations do the same.
Be sure to send copies of letters that get published to local meteorologists and station managers.
Resources:
Q&A with Rutgers climate scientist Jennifer Francis about Sandy and global warming.
Revised Statement on Climate Change from the American Meteorological Society
World Resources Institute Timeline on Extreme Weather Events in 2012
Arctic Warming is Altering Weather Patterns, Study Shows
