I Deny I’m A Denier

[M]ore than half of TV weather reporters don’t believe in human-induced climate change, even as our poisoned weather grows more extreme.

I walked into work and fired up my laptop. There’s a ritual I follow when forecasting. I opened some maps and charts then Facebook and Twitter. That means I was about sixty seconds into my work day when I read Ed Stannard’s tweet.

@EdStannardNHR

Is @geofffox a climate-change denier? What say you Geoff? bit.ly/wl7zn4 #ctweather #climatechange

Ed’s with the New Haven Register. He’s a good guy who was always fair during my estrangement from Channel 8. I’ve also served as his expert on weather stories.

Ed’s tweet was triggered by a story on ThinkProgress.org: “Forecast The Facts Exposes America’s Climate-Denier TV Weathermen.”

America’s television meteorologists are the primary source of climate information for most Americans, and are second only to scientists — who have much less access to the general public — in the level of trust they are given. Yet more than half of TV weather reporters don’t believe in human-induced climate change, even as our poisoned weather grows more extreme.

Lest there be any question whether the ThinkProgress story has a bias, let me repeat the last eight words: “even as our poisoned weather grows more extreme.”

Inside is a list of quotes from meteorologists across America. Some are pretty off-the-wall crazy. Others are just skeptical. Most are measured.

Here’s mine:

“My life would be easier if I was a believer! All my non-meteorologist friends are global warming adherents. Faith doesn’t come to you just because it’s a desirable trait.”

Ooh! Geoff Fox, you climate denying bastard! Except I’m not.

Being unconvinced of the efficacy of the Global Warming doomsayers isn’t the same as saying my mind is made up. I am not convinced. I’m still listening. Let’s call me a Global Warmer doubter.

As is so often the case with Global Warming adherents if you don’t agree you’re evil or bought off or both! It’s a complex issue made more difficult because it’s become a rancorous political fight instead of a scientific debate.