Threats and Burnout Plague Meteorologists and Climatologists in the Midwest
Climate change has become an increasingly contentious topic in recent years, with public-facing officials often bearing the brunt of resistance and hostility. From election workers to educators, and now meteorologists and climatologists, those on the front lines of climate communication are facing threats and burnout. In the Midwest, weather experts have encountered strong pushback from viewers, leading to mental health issues and, in some cases, a decision to leave their positions. However, despite the challenges, surveys suggest that most Americans appreciate climate change reporting and are open to learning about it from trusted sources. This article explores the experiences of weather experts in the Midwest, highlighting the difficulties they face and the importance of their work in educating the public.
A Challenging Start in Iowa
Chris Gloninger, a seasoned meteorologist, was excited to start his new job as chief meteorologist at a TV station in Des Moines, Iowa. With extensive experience in TV meteorology and a regional Emmy-award winning series on climate change, Gloninger looked forward to connecting the dots between weather and climate change trends. However, he quickly faced backlash from viewers who accused him of politicizing the weather and promoting liberal conspiracy theories. The negative feedback escalated into a steady flow of harassing emails, culminating in threats to his safety. The stress and mental toll eventually led Gloninger to leave his position and return to Massachusetts.
Burnout and Exhaustion in Nebraska
Martha Durr, the former state climatologist of Nebraska, recently stepped away from her position due to burnout and exhaustion. Durr found herself spending more time acting as a therapist and trying to help people through climate change rather than focusing on her scientific work. Despite her efforts to be empathetic and highlight local impacts of climate change, she faced combative encounters with resistant audiences. The repeated pushback and lack of progress eventually took its toll, leaving Durr feeling drained and unable to continue repeating the same message without seeing change.
Appreciation for Climate Change Reporting
While weather experts in the Midwest face challenges and resistance, surveys suggest that the majority of Americans appreciate climate change reporting. Ed Maibach from the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University explains that people value hearing about climate change from trusted sources like meteorologists and climatologists, even in conservative communities. The notion that climate change education is impossible in red states is a disservice, as Maibach points out that 90% of Americans are open to learning about climate change.
Success Stories in Climate Communication
Jim Gandy, a retired TV meteorologist from Columbia, South Carolina, became the first meteorologist to participate in Climate Matters, a climate change reporting program. Despite living in a deeply conservative state, Gandy found that his audience embraced his reporting on local climate change impacts. Climate Matters has since expanded to provide climate science resources to meteorologists and journalists across the country. Similarly, Melissa Widhalm, who presented climate science to Indiana communities, found that most people were willing to engage in conversations about climate change and learn from credible scientists. Despite encountering resistance, Widhalm believes that even a small connection and conversation can make a difference.
Navigating Pushback in the Midwest
Meteorologists and climatologists in the Midwest and Great Plains have developed strategies for navigating pushback from resistant audiences. They focus on highlighting local impacts of climate change that people can see in their own backyards. By humanizing the issue and connecting it to people’s lives, they aim to foster understanding and empathy. However, pushback is still prevalent, especially on social media platforms where meteorologists often face accusations of lying or having ulterior motives. Despite these challenges, weather experts like Devan Masciulli from Illinois and Trent Ford from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign remain committed to delivering accurate and science-based information.
Conclusion:
Weather experts in the Midwest are facing threats and burnout as they navigate the challenges of climate change reporting. The resistance they encounter from viewers can take a toll on their mental health and well-being, leading some to leave their positions. However, surveys suggest that the majority of Americans appreciate climate change reporting and are open to learning about it from trusted sources. The experiences of meteorologists and climatologists in the Midwest highlight the importance of their work in educating the public and fostering understanding. Despite the challenges they face, these weather experts remain motivated to continue their mission of delivering accurate and science-based information to their communities.
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