Boosting climate communication with Bay Area meteorologist Kari Hall

By Rob Kahn and Richard Larsen, members of CCL’s Meteorologist Outreach Action Team

Building strong relationships with local broadcast meteorologists benefits them as public communicators and us as climate advocates. One inspiring example is our ongoing partnership with Emmy Award-winning NBC Bay Area meteorologist Kari Hall — a respected communicator of science who broadcasts climate change updates on-air through NBC’s “Climate in Crisis” segment and speaks at public events throughout the region.

Connecting at local climate events

We first experienced the power of Kari’s off-air voice at a 2023 climate education event hosted by the American Association of University Women. Her presentation conveyed both deep scientific insight and compelling optimism about solutions to the climate crisis.

Moved by her message, Rob Kahn, CCL’s Meteorologist Outreach Action Team Co-Lead, reached out to Kari afterward to express appreciation and explore ways to work together. “Kari was very gracious and collaborative in her response and encouraged us to contact her with any ideas on topics to broadcast,” Rob says.

Following this initial connection, we invited Kari to support our San Mateo chapter’s Youth Rally. She responded enthusiastically! In 2023, she wrote a supportive piece to encourage attendance, and at our 2024 Youth Rally, she attended herself and delivered an inspiring speech.

“Kari Hall didn’t just inform — she inspired,” says Elaine Salinger, CCL San Mateo Chapter Leader. “Her presence gave weight to our event and helped elevate youth voices, weaving hope and humor into her message.” 

Supporting each other’s climate efforts

In April 2024, Kari reached out to us during planning for NBC Bay Area’s Climate Week series, asking for a local activist to interview. We recommended Kayla Ling, a youth leader from our San Mateo Chapter.

“Speaking about youth climate advocacy with Kari Hall was incredible,” Kayla reflects. “Her warmth put me at ease, and I’m grateful she used her platform to highlight the positive impact that CCL and young people are making. I hope more chapters empower dynamic partnerships like ours—with chapter and Action Team leaders, meteorologists, and youth advocates working together for change.”

Kayla’s powerful 5-minute on-air interview with Kari can be viewed or shared below:

• 📺 Watch the full interview on NBC Bay Area’s website
• 📘 Kari Hall’s Facebook post about Kayla’s interview
• 📸 Kari Hall’s Instagram post about Kayla’s interview

Later in 2024, Rob presented Kari with the Action Team’s Climate Coverage Champion Award in recognition of her ongoing climate reporting. The award presentation included a tour of NBC Bay Area’s studios, and Kari generously introduced Rob to station management.

“Kari asked me to explain what CCL is and how we benefit the community,” Rob explains. “This gave us great exposure both on-air and through her social media posts.”

Taking the message nationwide

In further recognition of Kari’s impactful work, CCL’s national staff invited Kari Hall to be the guest speaker at CCL’s April 2025 national meeting. Her talk illuminated the challenges broadcast meteorologists face when discussing climate change, including demanding reporting schedules, location constraints, and social media pressure from the few, but very vocal critics.

Kari emphasized that meteorologists’ popularity (followers, likes, comments, etc.) on social media can impact their contract renewals.  To support meteorologists like Kari, we encourage CCL chapters to:

• Bring resources to them, such as climate-focused speakers and materials
• Support their climate-related social media by liking, commenting, and sharing posts

Watch Kari’s remarks here:

Our relationship with Kari Hall illustrates how mutual trust, respect, and shared purpose can create real impact on climate communication. Her influence has elevated youth voices, strengthened our community ties, and brought climate solutions into homes across the Bay Area.

We encourage other CCL chapters to build similar partnerships with local meteorologists — offering appreciation, support, and collaboration to help amplify messages of hope and action.