Wednesday, June 12

Dear Reader,

Meteorologists tend to keep their political views under wraps. After all, they’re there to tell us whether we need a light jacket or an umbrella, not to report on the political climate. But when the Florida government banned any references to climate change in state law, one meteorologist delivered an on-air report calling out the lunacy of such a law and encouraging his viewers to research climate change and the importance of solutions. 

Steve MacLaughlin, a meteorologist for the NBC affiliate in Miami, pointed out that “Florida is on fire.” Accompanying graphics pointed out that the planet is experiencing its 11th hottest month on record, and Key West, Florida, was suffering its “hottest-feeling day on record.”

While McLaughlin received plenty of praise for his unprecedented callout, there remain those who would prefer that meteorologists ignore climate change, even as their job reflects its impact. But this weatherman reminded viewers to “Please keep in mind the most powerful climate change solution is the one you already have in the palm of your hands — the right to vote.” While, he said, “we will never tell you who to vote for … we will tell you this: We implore you to please do your research and know that there are candidates that believe in climate change and that there are solutions, and that there are candidates that don’t.”

Let’s hope that this Miami meteorologist encourages others to follow suit — after all, weather is the manifestation of a warming world.

Cloudily,

Dot