Meteorologist Faces Harassment After Discussing Climate Change on Newscasts

TV meteorologist Chris Gloninger faced escalating harassment when he began reporting on climate change during local newscasts. Outraged emails and even threats to his personal safety followed his coverage. Gloninger, who was encouraged to bring change to the Iowa station he worked for, faced mounting backlash. One individual who sent threatening emails was charged with harassment. The Des Moines station requested that Gloninger reduce his coverage due to the pressure to maintain ratings.

Gloninger, after experiencing the growing resistance, made the decision to leave KCCI-TV on June 21, effectively ending his 18-year career in broadcast journalism.

Unfortunately, Gloninger’s experience is not unique among meteorologists nationwide who link climate change to extreme weather events in their local forecasts. On-air meteorologists now face a rising anti-science sentiment, compounding the skepticism towards the news media.

The abuse faced by meteorologists has intensified in recent years, with individuals resorting to name-calling and harassment for sharing information they don’t want to hear. This hostile political climate has affected various nonpartisan professions, from librarians to school board officials and election workers.

Beliefs are often amplified more than truth and evidence-based science, creating a challenging situation for the nation. Gloninger’s announcement caused a stir among broadcast meteorologists at a national conference in Phoenix, where they shared their own unsettling stories of harassment.

Meteorologists have long desired to discuss climate change on air, but a decade ago, only a few did so due to resistance. However, today it has become more common for TV meteorologists to depict the effects of climate change, even if they don’t explicitly mention it. For example, they may highlight the increasing number of days with temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).

While this type of reporting resonates with many, critics are often the most vocal. By succumbing to the pressure from a minority of viewers, broadcasters risk neglecting the majority who seek relevant and important information about their communities.

Nevertheless, some meteorologists have observed growing public interest in climate change, even in conservative states, as severe weather events impact farmland and homes. Data-based reporting has generally been well received, as it provides communities with valuable insights into their surroundings.

The issue of harassment extends beyond the United States, affecting meteorologists in other countries such as Spain, France, Australia, and the U.K. The problem is not necessarily linked directly to climate change reporting but rather represents a pervasive issue within the industry that affects certain individuals more than others.

Confidence in the scientific community and news media has experienced a decline across the political spectrum in recent years. The widening gap between Republicans and Democrats on these issues is the largest in almost five decades, reflecting a concerning trend of science being under attack.

Gloninger has chosen to leave Des Moines and return to Boston to care for his elderly parents. He has realized that a small fraction of people who reject climate change make up the majority of the negative feedback he received. Gloninger plans to join the Woods Hole Group, a climate change research company, as a senior scientist specializing in climate and risk communication.

While Gloninger acknowledges the overwhelming support he has received from people across the state, he believes that this incident does not represent the true beliefs of Iowans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about meteorologist harassment climate change

More about meteorologist harassment climate change

• The Big Big News Interview with Chris Gloninger
• Des Moines Register Article on Chris Gloninger
• American Meteorological Society
• Pew Research Center – Harassment of Journalists
• Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University
• The Weather Channel
• Climate Matters
• Union of Concerned Scientists