In the United States, some climate skeptics are particularly virulent. On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, Chris Gloninger, the chief meteorologist at KCCI, an American television station based in Iowa, announced that he was leaving his post to pursue a career in science. The 38-year-old says he received a death threat last year for mentioning global warming in his weather reports, the Huffington Post reports.
A “conspiracy theory”
For example, in June 2022, when the US was in the midst of a heat wave, Chris Gloninger recalled the link between these high temperatures and climate change. Information that was obviously not appreciated by some viewers. Beyond the criticism, the moderator was threatened with death. “What is your home address? We Iowa Conservators want to give you a welcome you will never forget.”he received by email.
According to the New York Times, the wording of the message allegedly refers to an attempted murder of a Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, he was classified by the police as an imminent threat. Investigations quickly identified the sender of the email: a resident of Lenox, Iowa, who claimed the weatherman peddled a “conspiracy theory” in his newsletters. He was fined $180 for third-degree harassment.
“I do not give up”
Despite this conviction, Chris Gloninger says he is deeply scarred by these threats. This has recently led to a career change. “Following a death threat last year over my climate protection insurance and the resulting post-traumatic stress disorder and family health issues, I decided to begin this new adventure now.”he announced in his tweet.
He worked as a meteorologist for 18 years. The now “ex” moderator will work for a company that studies this meteorological phenomenon. “I do not give up”he told the Washington Post.
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