Nation's Weather Provider Hires Leading Climate Expert, Presents New Climate
Programming, Serves as Weather Authority for Upcoming Twentieth Century Fox
Movie "Day After Tomorrow"
ATLANTA, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Is global warming reality or pure fiction?
Are people's activities really causing climate change, and if so, to what
extent? These are questions plaguing our nation today as we come to terms
with the fact that the earth's climate is indeed changing -- and warming. The
Weather Channel, the world's most trusted authority on all-things weather-
related, has taken a close look at the situation and announced its new
position on the controversial issue of global warming.
"Over the past few years, The Weather Channel has evolved its position on
global warming in an effort to objectively represent what the state of the
science is," said Dr. Heidi Cullen, recently appointed Climate Expert for The
Weather Channel. "In regard to the role that people play in influencing our
climate, we recognize and respect that there will be those who disagree with
us, but our position is consistent with that of the majority of climate
scientists."
Fact or Fiction?
Global warming is real. Global average temperature has increased
1 - 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit during the past century. Impacts can already be
seen, especially in geographic locations like Alaska where melting glaciers
and the retreat of Arctic sea ice have increased the vulnerability of local
populations and then there are effects such as coastal erosion.
"It's difficult to determine precisely to what extent the current warming
is due to human activity," said Cullen. "Throughout history, there have been
large -- and sometimes sudden -- climate changes -- most of them before humans
could possibly have been a factor. Plus, the sun/atmosphere/land/ocean
'climate system' is extraordinarily complex."
However, it is a fact that burning of fossil fuels injects additional
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This adds to
the "greenhouse effect," a natural process that keeps the earth's surface
warmer than it would otherwise be and helps make it habitable for human life.
Scientific assessments of changes in amounts of greenhouse gases and in the
world's temperatures provide strong evidence that a significant portion of the
current warming is a result of human activities.
People are also changing the climate at a more local level. Replacing
vegetation with buildings and roads is causing temperature increases through
what's known as the "urban heat island effect." Additionally, land use
changes such as urbanization and deforestation increase the tendency for flash
floods and mudslides resulting from heavy rain.
The Future
The future remains uncertain. Potential outcomes over the next century
(and beyond) range from moderate and manageable to extreme and catastrophic,
depending on a number of factors. A better understanding of the climate
system as well as our ability to adapt to climate changes that occur are
critical to the future of our planet.
Extreme Weather on the Big and Small Screens
To further support The Weather Channel positioning and focus on providing
compelling program offerings that deliver insight into the forces that shape
our planet's climate, the network has unveiled new climate-related programs in
its "Forecast Earth" series.
On May 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET, The Weather Channel will premiere "Extreme
Weather Theories" -- a half-hour special that explores scientific theories
about possible, drastic changes to the earth's climate. This special will
coincide with the premiere of Twentieth Century FOX's movie "The Day After
Tomorrow" -- a science fiction motion picture where the planet is pushed into
the next Ice Age. The Weather Channel has served as the highlighted weather
authority for this movie.
Characteristic of a 24-hour weather network that provides trusted, expert
coverage during the most severe of weather situations, The Weather Channel is
shown in "The Day After Tomorrow" as one of the last networks on-air amidst
the chaos caused by the catastrophic weather events. In addition to The
Weather Channel meteorologists, who will be portrayed by actors, the film will
employ severe weather graphics and images from The Weather Channel.
In "Extreme Weather Theories," Dr. Cullen will examine global warming and
the likelihood of it triggering changes in the world's climate that form the
premise of "The Day After Tomorrow." Dr. Cullen will also be featured in a
special series of climate change/ "The Day After Tomorrow" segments, which
will air during the network's primetime program "Evening Edition," that will
take a closer look at whether or not drastic weather and climate impacts such
as those portrayed in the movie could happen in real life.
Also tied to the launch of "The Day After Tomorrow," The Weather Channel
will present "Extreme Weather Week" (May 23-29 at 8 p.m. ET) -- a special
themed week of "Storm Stories," its critically acclaimed series hosted by
veteran meteorologist and "Storm Tracker" Jim Cantore. All episodes present
real extreme weather events, many similar to those depicted in the movie.
"The Weather Channel is committed to investigating important environmental
issues that are changing our climate and impacting our world," said Patrick
Scott, president of The Weather Channel Networks. "Our new programming
initiatives will address a number of questions and concerns that have been
expressed by our viewers. In the future, The Weather Channel will continue to
devote additional coverage to our climate, its influences and impacts."
Ask the Expert
Dr. Cullen, a scientist of international standing in climate research on
the staff of The Weather Channel, is helping to build the company's climate
program through the development of new products and by helping to strengthen
relationships within the global climate community. Most recently, Dr. Cullen
served as a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
in Boulder, CO. She has also conducted research in the U.S. Southwest and the
Middle East (Syria and Turkey), publishing on domestic and international
climate topics. Additionally, she was recently selected to join the World
Climate Research Program's Climate Variability (CLIVAR) Scientific Steering
Group, an international project aimed at identifying, understanding, and
predicting types of variability within the earth's complex climate system.
For an interview with Dr. Cullen or a representative of The Weather
Channel, or to receive a preview tape of "Extreme Weather Theories" contact
Kristin Thomas at (678) 477-1115.
About The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel, a 24-hour weather network, is seen in over 87 million
U.S. households. Its Web site, weather.com , attracts 20 million unique users
per month and is consistently ranked among the Top 15 of all Web sites by
Nielsen//NetRatings. The Weather Channel also operates Weatherscan, a
24-hour, all-local weather network distributed to almost 8 million households,
The Weather Channel Radio Network, The Weather Channel Newspaper Services and
is the leading weather information provider for emerging technologies. This
includes broadband and interactive television applications, with wireless
weather products accessible through high-speed Internet services, phones,
pagers, Palm Pilots, and other personal digital assistants. The Weather
Channel is owned by Landmark Communications, Inc., a Norfolk, VA-based,
privately held media company.
Contact: Kathy Lane
770-226-2102
klane@weather.com
Kristin Thomas
678-477-1115
kthomas@hillandknowlton.com
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