American meteorologist Chris Gloninger has announced his resignation from his position as chief meteorologist at KCCI, a television channel in Iowa. Gloninger cited threats received from climate change skeptics as the reason for his departure. The 38-year-old meteorologist plans to pursue a career in science and focus on his health, family, and the fight against the climate crisis.
Gloninger took to Twitter to share the news, stating, “After a death threat last year because of my climate cover and the resulting post-traumatic stress disorder, in addition to family health problems, I have decided to start this new adventure now.” He expressed pride in his 18-year career of raising awareness about the effects of climate change.
The threats against Gloninger began last summer during a heatwave in the United States. While he tried to engage constructively with viewers who criticized his coverage, an email threatening him with death crossed the line. The email, which asked for his home address, was deemed a death threat by the police. It referred to a California man charged with attempted murder for showing up near the home of Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh with weapons.
The incident prompted Gloninger to call the police and seek therapy to cope with the trauma. The police quickly identified the author of the threatening emails as Danny Hancock, a resident of Lenox, Iowa. Hancock accused Gloninger of peddling a “conspiracy theory” regarding global warming. He pleaded guilty and was charged with third-degree harassment, resulting in a fine of $180.
Despite the threats, Gloninger remains determined to continue his work in studying climate change. He emphasized this by choosing to pursue a career in a company dedicated to the subject. On June 21, he took to Twitter again to highlight the impact of climate change on fires in Canada and poor air quality in the United States. He warned that the global temperature has been above the average of the 20th century for 531 consecutive months.
Gloninger’s resignation highlights the challenges faced by scientists and experts who advocate for climate change awareness. It serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting those who work tirelessly to address the climate crisis.
What challenges do scientists and experts advocating for climate change awareness face?
Chris Gloninger, a prominent American meteorologist, has announced his resignation from his position as chief meteorologist at KCCI, a television channel in Iowa. Gloninger cited threats received from climate change skeptics as the reason for his departure. The 38-year-old meteorologist intends to shift his focus towards a career in science and dedicate more time to his health, family, and the fight against the climate crisis.
Taking to Twitter to share the news, Gloninger wrote, “After receiving a death threat last year due to my coverage of climate change and the subsequent post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as family health issues, I have decided to embark on this new journey now.” He expressed pride in his 18-year career of raising awareness about the impacts of climate change.
The threats against Gloninger emerged last summer during a heatwave in the United States. While he attempted to engage constructively with viewers who criticized his coverage, he received an email that crossed the line by threatening his life. The email, soliciting his home address, was deemed a death threat by the police. It alluded to a California man who was charged with attempted murder for appearing near the home of Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh with weapons.
This incident led Gloninger to contact the authorities and seek therapy to cope with the trauma. The police swiftly identified the sender of the threatening emails as Danny Hancock, a resident of Lenox, Iowa. Hancock accused Gloninger of promoting a “conspiracy theory” regarding global warming. He pleaded guilty and was charged with third-degree harassment, resulting in a fine of $180.
Despite these threats, Gloninger remains resolute in his commitment to studying climate change. This dedication is evident through his decision to pursue a career with a company that focuses on this subject. On June 21, he took to Twitter once more to emphasize the impact of climate change on fires in Canada and the resulting poor air quality in the United States. He warned that the global average temperature has exceeded that of the 20th century for 531 consecutive months.
Gloninger’s resignation sheds light on the challenges faced by scientists and experts who advocate for climate change awareness. It serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting those who tirelessly work to address the climate crisis.
It’s disheartening to see climate change deniers resort to threats rather than engaging in constructive dialogue. We must protect scientists like Chris Gloninger who play a crucial role in educating us on the realities of our changing climate.