A new group funded by multi-billionaire George Soros has taken a new tact in the global warming debate by targeting TV meteorologists who have expressed doubt about man’s ability to effect climate change. Forecast the Facts names names and is pressing the American Meteorological Society to change its policy statement on the topic.
With thousands of television meteorologists across the nation appearing daily in front of Americans, they provide one of the most public faces to the science of weather and climate. These highly educated individuals have also been one of the most visible to hold back against the anthropogenic global warming theory instead offering their real world experience.
As few as one third of television meteorologists have bought into the manmade climate change theory. Many have witnessed the unscrupulous behavior of climate scientists involved in the ClimateGate scandal and found sound reasons to doubt.
Forecast the Facts seeks to change this by exerting public pressure on those who would question Al Gore and other purveyors of the theory. The group says when meteorologists fail to link extreme weather to climate change, “It’s the equivalent of a news anchor reporting on a string of murders without saying that there is a suspect in custody.”
On their website, Forecast the Facts names 47 television meteorologists that it believes, “stand on the side of denial, promoting the ignorance and inaction that threatens the future of our country and our world.”
One meteorologist on that list, Baltimore's Justin Berk, has long urged that more research on man’s effect on the climate was needed before making many of the grandiose claims that Al Gore is known for. He has in fact been active in promoting NASA’s NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP), a next generation satellite that was launched last October to study climate change.
Berk did not shy away from being on the list and stood by his previous statements, including many which advocate for stronger pollution controls and renewable energy.
“There is clear evidence of human induced influence on the local level, such as urban heat islands. But that does not relate to long range climate. Our weather records are too short and likely missing larger cycles."
~ Justin Berk, Meteorologist
Addressing the dangers of carbon dioxide that many warn us of, Berk said, “The ice core evidence has been proven to show that CO2 is not the cause of warming, but actually happens AFTER the planet has warmed in the past.”
Forecast the Facts delivered a petition to the American Meteorological Society (AMS) annual meeting now going on in New Orleans. The group is urging the AMS to pass a new statement backing the manmade climate change theory.
Daniel Souweine, the campaign’s director, said “It’s well known that large numbers of meteorologists are climate change deniers. It’s essential that the AMS Council resist pressure from these deniers and pass the strong statement currently under consideration.”
Famed New York television area meteorologist Joe Cioffi managed to escape being listed. He however was very pointed in his comments about the list and Forecast the Facts’ tactics telling Examiner.com it is a “witch hunt plain and simple.”
“We are probably more hands on in the day to day meteorology then climate researchers are. It’s astounding to me that because I’m a climate "denier," I’m a right wing meteorologist. How dare these people politicize this process! Thankfully the AMS is not getting themselves drawn into this."
~ Joe Cioffi, Meteorologist
Even former New York Times reporter Andrew Revkin, perceived by many to be a global warming alarmist himself, voiced his doubts about Forecast the Facts.
Writing in a blog entry, Revkin said, “Of course the science on the relationship of greenhouse warming to wildfires, flooding (as distinct from heavy downpours) and winter storms remains equivocal and tentative. Some denial in every corner, perhaps?”
Heard on the Web – Comments from other meteorologists on Forecast the Facts’ campaign:
Ryan Maue: “American Met Society urged to open re-education camps for wayward on-air meteorologists who deny extreme leftist agenda.”
John Ghiorse: “This is outrageous! The ultimate in gestapo tactics and a real disgrace to the scientific community.”
Andre Bernier: “The day the @ametsoc (AMS) strong arms anyone to tow the AGW is the day I disown them.”
Mike Smith: “Does this type of article, that attempts to curb debate, amounts to blacklisting, and this overheated rhetoric seem consistent with the behavior of people who are confident of their position?”
John Coleman: “In a way this is very good news. It indicates that enough TV Meteorologists are speaking out on their doubts about global warming to have a significant influence on public opinion. So the activists now feel the need to campaign to get us under control. On the other hand, it is very disturbing. Many TV Weathercasters will undoubtedly pull back to protect their positions and not create any problems for career advancement.”
On the net: Forecastthefacts.org – Political Activists Gagging Our TV Meteorologists on Climate Issues
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