What does the weather guy say?

April 20th, 2009 at 08:45pm Jennie Pollock

WREX-13 meteorologist Eric Sorensen has told me before that the issue of global warming has been a debate in the weather forecasters’ community.

Last weekend, Eric attended a national forum on the subject in Chicago. He wrote on his weather blog, but here’s a sample:

Consider this: Most people in our society are quite knowledgeable in the day to day Hollywood gossip but lack daily information on science. It’s not the fault of anyone. However local news, and more importantly local weather, is the #1 source of science information for everyone. It’s for this reason solely that we are starting the 13Climate Authority.

Many TV meteorologists squabble when it comes to whether they want to be the “station scientist.” For many this is a valid point. When there’s an earthquake why does CNN turn to meteorologists for insight? … They aren’t the experts on the subject. They use the information they know to broadcast it. The same holds true for us here at WREX. We’re not experts in climatology. That’s why we’re not doing the research! We are going to publish and air the research that scientists all across the globe come up with.

Entry Filed under: Global warming