Global Warming Controversy Hits Local Weatherman
Some days it's just no fun to be from Alabama.
While I would rather sleep through this latest global warming/weather controversy, I guess it's my duty to let you in on the scoop.
As I prepared my usual mid-day breakfast on Friday, the folks at ABC 33/40 got my attention when weatherman James Spann took a good chunk of the mid-day news broadcast to explain why he should not be fired for saying on his blog that there is no such thing as wacky weather due to global warming.
While I normally pay only passing attention to the local news, this got my attention, because it turns out a full-blown controversy of meteorologists had made the infamous Drudge Report this morning.
Even the British newspaper the Independent ran a story about it, so how could I ignore it?
What Spann actually said is quite unusual in the local MSM objectivity business, and makes me think perhaps there is a political and economic backdrop to this controversy.
Here's part of what he said:
Well, well. Some “climate expert” on “The Weather Channel” wants to take away AMS certification from those of us who believe the recent “global warming” is a natural process. So much for “tolerance”, huh?I have been in operational meteorology since 1978, and I know dozens and dozens of broadcast meteorologists all over the country. Our big job: look at a large volume of raw data and come up with a public weather forecast for the next seven days. I do not know of a single TV meteorologist who buys into the man-made global warming hype. I know there must be a few out there, but I can’t find them. Here are the basic facts you need to know:
Billions of dollars of grant money is flowing into the pockets of those on the man-made global warming bandwagon. No man-made global warming, the money dries up. This is big money, make no mistake about it. Always follow the money trail and it tells a story. Even the lady at “The Weather Channel” probably gets paid good money for a prime time show on climate change. No man-made global warming, no show, and no salary. Nothing wrong with making money at all, but when money becomes the motivation for a scientific conclusion, then we have a problem. For many, global warming is a big cash grab.
The climate of this planet has been changing since God put the planet here. It will always change, and the warming in the last 10 years is not much difference than the warming we saw in the 1930s and other decades. And, lets not forget we are at the end of the ice age in which ice covered most of North America and Northern Europe.
If you don’t like to listen to me, find another meteorologist with no tie to grant money for research on the subject. I would not listen to anyone that is a politician, a journalist, or someone in science who is generating revenue from this issue.
***
I have nothing against “The Weather Channel”, but they have crossed the line into a political and cultural region where I simply won’t go.
My Comment
So, James, you won't go into the cultural, political battle for ratings purposes? I think you just did.
You are claiming to be a scientist, but avowing your belief in God's creation. And you are taking sides with wackos who deny the science on global warming? Looks like it to me.
Do you really think we don't get it out here in TV Land? You are kowtowing to an ignorant, mass audience who tend to believe more in religion than science. Hey, maybe you believe it too, but you diminish your credibility significantly by weighing into this controversy.
We look to you to know when there is a tornado on the way, not whether global warming is real. We know global warming is real and that the weather is being affected by it. Now we know where you stand - and will look for another weatherman to watch from now on.
Comments
I enjoyed reading this post. I will definitely be adding you to my "blogroll." I will also be posting something on this debate once I have digested it. I had a feeling that Heidi's post would get some strong reactions, but I did not really anticipate quite this firestorm and the Drudge Report features.
Posted by: gamoonbat
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January 19, 2007 06:26 PM
Thanks for the comment and the link. Looks like you've gathered some facts on your site.
I may have to wake up from my winter hibernation slumber to get more into this story. James Spann will be on Hannity and Colmes Monday. Chances are he will end up looking like a clown.
James doesn't argue explicitly with the fact that global warming is occurring. He says its not caused by man. What he may mean is that he doesn't think Alabama Power is causing it - one of the biggest advertisers for local media..
In any event, his opinion matters little, since he is not a climate scientist. He's a local weatherman lost in some data trend lines and can't see the big picture, which most everyone who studies it says we are in for MORE EXTREME "WACKY WEATHER" EVENTS due to climate change caused by an increase in average global temperatures due to the burning of fossil fuels.
That's a fact. Perhaps if James doesn't believe the science, he could turn to his Bible. It's also predicted there...
GW
Posted by: fast2write
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January 20, 2007 11:04 PM
I hope Spann realizes how many of his fellow scientists he has ticked off with this retort. Accusing his colleagues of engaging in a "big cash grab" is downright insulting, if not slanderous.
As for Dr. Cullen: revoking someone's media seal of approval over this? Ugh. Sounds like she and Spann actually have a good bit in common--both are now on record as just being plain silly.
As I scientist, I'm going to do my best to distance myself from *both* of them.
Posted by: Cody K. | January 23, 2007 12:30 AM
Dr. Cullen wrote ""If a meteorologist can't speak to the fundamental science of climate change, then maybe the (American Meteorological Society) shouldn't give them a Seal of Approval," which is not the same thing as suggesting that the Seal of Approval be taken away, and why are the people who are attacking her apparently arguing that meteorologists shouldn't speak to the fundamental science of climate change?
Posted by: Doug | January 24, 2007 01:46 PM