The Rising Tide of Climate Misinformation and its Impact on Weather Forecasters
In the heart of America’s Midwest, a chilling email landed in the inbox of Chris Gloninger, the chief meteorologist at a Des Moines television station. The message, containing a veiled threat referencing a recent attack on a Supreme Court Justice, marked the culmination of months of escalating harassment directed at Gloninger. His “crime”? Daring to incorporate climate change into his weather reports in a politically conservative state. This incident highlights a disturbing trend: the increasing targeting of weather forecasters, the public faces of climate science communication, by online hate fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories. Gloninger’s story serves as a stark warning about the real-world consequences of the unchecked spread of climate denial and the urgent need to address this growing problem.
Gloninger, passionate about communicating the science of climate change, had consciously tailored his reporting to resonate with the climate-skeptical leanings of Iowa, a state that has become a Republican stronghold. He connected climate impacts to the everyday realities of Iowans, particularly farmers, highlighting the effects of drought on agriculture. However, his efforts to bridge the divide between science and public perception were met with increasing hostility. The initial pushback evolved into aggressive threats, revealing the deep politicization of climate science. Viewers accused him of pushing a “liberal agenda,” showcasing how established scientific consensus is now frequently dismissed as politically motivated. The culmination of this online harassment was the threatening email, forcing Gloninger and his wife to flee their home and seek safety in a hotel.
The harassment faced by Gloninger is not an isolated incident. The surge in climate misinformation online reflects a deliberate and long-standing campaign to undermine climate science. This campaign has its roots in the mid-20th century when major fossil fuel companies, despite having their own research confirming the link between their products and global warming, actively engaged in denial and downplaying the science. As the undeniable impacts of climate change, from melting glaciers to rising sea levels and extreme weather events, become more apparent, outright denial has become less tenable. In its place, a new tactic has emerged: “delayism.” This involves casting doubt on climate solutions, promoting greenwashing, or employing other strategies to delay action on climate change. Recent research has exposed how fossil fuel companies invest heavily in advertising campaigns that misleadingly portray their commitment to renewable energy, while simultaneously continuing to explore and exploit new oil and gas fields.
The network perpetuating climate misinformation has become increasingly complex. It encompasses not only fossil fuel companies, lobbyists, and think tanks but also media outlets, online trolls, bot farms, and social media influencers who amplify misleading narratives. This network effectively exploits the algorithms of social media platforms, which tend to favor emotionally charged content, further spreading misinformation to wider audiences. Political actors, particularly those espousing nationalist or conservative ideologies, have also strategically utilized climate misinformation to mobilize their base, often framing climate solutions as threats to national sovereignty or economic freedom. This exploitation of the issue has transformed climate change denial into a matter of political identity, making it even more challenging to counter.
The misinformation ecosystem often extends into the realm of conspiracy theories, attracting individuals who feel a need for simple explanations for complex problems or who experience feelings of paranoia, insecurity, or egocentricity. Conspiracy theories can provide a sense of control and comfort by painting another group as “evil” or responsible for the problems facing society. These theories often proliferate after disasters, such as the recent deadly flash floods in Texas, where conspiracies blaming scientists or government agencies for manipulating the weather through cloud seeding quickly spread online. Experts predict that as the impacts of climate change intensify, these types of conspiracy theories and misinformation will become increasingly prevalent, putting climate communicators like meteorologists directly in the line of fire.
Combating the spread of climate misinformation requires a multi-pronged approach. Education plays a crucial role, particularly in empowering vulnerable groups to identify and critically evaluate misinformation. Inclusive dialogue and engagement with communities affected by climate change are essential, as exclusion fuels distrust in science and scientists. Addressing conspiracy theories requires building trust and understanding the motivations behind these beliefs. Empathy and support for individuals targeted by online hate, like Chris Gloninger, are also crucial.
Gloninger’s ordeal ultimately led him to leave his dream job. The relentless online harassment, culminating in a death threat, took a severe toll on his mental and physical health. Despite the support he received from many viewers, the pressure from a vocal minority and the station’s decision to curtail his climate change coverage ultimately forced his hand. His story underscores the chilling effect that online hate and misinformation can have on climate communication. Despite the personal cost, Gloninger remains committed to raising awareness about the issue and encourages other meteorologists to continue reporting on climate change, emphasizing the importance of not backing down in the face of intimidation and hate. His experience serves as a call to action, highlighting the need to protect climate communicators and combat the spread of misinformation that threatens to undermine efforts to address the climate crisis.
