AccuWeather Signs Global Climate Science-Media Action Plan Pledge At The AMS Annual Meeting to Help Combat Climate Change
Baltimore, MD – January 30 2024 – AccuWeather, the global leader in weather forecasting services, joined U.S. and international scientific associations and high-profile media outlets to sign a pledge of cooperation aimed at ensuring climate change-related communications are scientifically accurate, accessible, and actionable during a special Presidential Session at the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS). The “Global Climate Science-Media Action Pledge” affirms that climate change is real, dangerous, and already causing damage, that climate change is a top priority for the signatory organizations, and that the signatories will work together to support, disseminate, and communicate science-based information and solutions to all stakeholders, including the general public.
As part of this historic event, AccuWeather Founder and Executive Chairman Dr. Joel N. Myers joined leaders from the AMS, EarthX, NOAA, the American Geosciences Institute (AGI), and the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) in a Presidential Session panel titled “The Powerful Impacts of Scientific Societies Joining Forces with Global Media Organizations to Combat Climate Change” to discuss solutions to address the gap between climate science and public knowledge, and the special roles that societies, scientific institutions, and media organizations play within climate science and its effective communication.
“AccuWeather is known for our Superior Accuracy™, and we take that very seriously in communicating climate information that is accurate, authentic, and helpful to the public to raise their understanding of this critical issue. But we all know there is a lot of work to be done,” Dr. Myers said in today’s discussion. “Climate change and global warming are a real threat to humanity in so many different ways, and I think it is so important that all of us here today commit to being authentic and consistent in our messaging to maintain credibility, because it is a serious threat. There is no ambiguity in the fact that the Earth is warming, and that global warming is causing many of the changes that we are seeing such as more forest fires, droughts, longer hurricane seasons and more rapid intensification, and more rainfall in certain places leading to severe flooding. I am proud that we all came together here at the AMS to sign this Pledge and committed to emphasizing what we’re sure about today based on the scientific evidence, and what that could mean for our collective future so that we can help people, businesses, and governments understand the risks of climate change and make the best possible decisions.”
AccuWeather represents a critical link in this communications process, as over a billion people around the world rely on the free AccuWeather App, AccuWeather.com, the AccuWeather Network, the AccuWeather NOW streaming channel, and AccuWeather’s forecasts on digital signage, in 700 newspapers, on over 400 radio stations, and 100 television stations across the U.S. to stay informed about the extreme weather and climate events affecting their area daily. AccuWeather editorial properties regularly feature coverage of climate change issues and share and celebrate stories of climate change mitigation. AccuWeather also partners with government agencies like the NWS and many other national meteorological services across the globe to rapidly disseminate real-time life-saving alerts to the public. In addition, AccuWeather’s Climate Impact Pilot Program connects leading institutions, advocates, and enterprises with the AccuWeather data and expertise they need to accelerate climate projects – enhancing environmental education, advancing research, and fostering climate action.
AccuWeather’s track record of superior accuracy in weather forecasting and warnings has saved over 10,000 lives, prevented injury to over 100,000 people, minimized reputational harm and saved companies tens of billions of dollars over the last 61 years.
Extreme weather was identified as the number one long-term risk in the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Risks Report, and as the frequency and severity of extreme weather and climate events increase, so do their direct economic costs. Dr. Myers recently joined the WEF community in Davos earlier this year to launch his new book, “Invisible Iceberg: When Climate and Weather Shaped History“ (currently the #1 New Release in Weather on Amazon), at an event at Goals House and discussed what we can learn from extreme weather and climate events throughout history, and how business and government leaders can be better prepared to handle them in the future. The idea for “Invisible Iceberg” began as a keynote presented by Dr. Myers at the 2018 AMS Annual Meeting, and the book gives readers an important perspective on the role that weather and climate have played in shaping humanity to help inspire them to take action for the future.
Dr. Myers noted, “I’ve been in the prediction business for nearly 62 years, and as I look ahead, things will continue to change. The demand on energy from AI is going to increase dramatically, some say as much globally as 100% in the next 15 years. And while renewables and green energy are increasing significantly, there is still going to be an increase in the burning of coal and oil and gas around the world if energy demand continues to go up. That is a real problem. The hope is that that there will be a breakthrough in hydrogen, geothermal, and fusion, but if that does not happen, clearly there’s going to be even more of an issue because as temperatures rise, the demand for air conditioning and the demand for energy is going to rise, and that’s just the opposite of what we want to happen. Also, the increase in temperatures will not be evenly distributed, and some of the areas of the world could experience such extreme heat that when we look out 20, 30, 40 years in the future they could become unlivable, causing migration and this great instability among all the other things we’re facing if we don’t get this under control. The public, private, and academic sectors must all work together and play their parts for a better future.”
The Global Climate Science-Media Action Plan Pledge echoes AccuWeather’s own position on climate change, which drives the company’s editorial and business policies:
AccuWeather Climate Change Statement
Climate change is a matter of intense interest and global importance. Weather and climate events have an annual impact of trillions of dollars on the global economy and remain top concerns of leaders worldwide impacting people, communities, and businesses, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report. From historic floods to devastating wildfires to more intense hurricanes, a warming planet is disrupting lives and communities at a relentless pace. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the U.S. has sustained 376 weather and climate disasters since 1980, causing damages/costs that have reached or exceeded $1 billion apiece.
The evidence is clear, there can be little doubt that humans are contributing to global warming and continue to influence the world’s climate. Climate change is not new, and our climate has undergone many transformations over millions of years. But there is overwhelming evidence that it is being accelerated by humans, especially over the last half-century mainly by the burning of fossil fuels, but also through deforestation, an increase in paved surfaces, and the release of methane gas.
As an organization rooted in science, AccuWeather uses climate models and AI along with our weather and climate expertise, our unique experience in prediction science to promote better, safer and more healthful conditions for all people. We achieve these goals by providing the most accurate weather and climate forecasts; comprehensive analysis, reporting and awareness of climate change, and the continued development of superior products to help people and businesses make better decisions and take responsible actions to prepare for climate change threats.
Our approach to climate change coverage on our various AccuWeather editorial platforms is to impart the information people want and need in the clearest way possible. We strive to inspire others to do more for our environment and to benefit future generations by providing windows into actionable solutions, and we share and celebrate stories of climate change mitigation.
About the AMS 104th Annual Meeting
The American Meteorological Society’s Annual Meeting brings together thousands of weather, water, and climate scientists, professionals, and students from across the United States and the world. Taking place 28 January to 1 February, 2024 at the Baltimore Convention Center, the AMS 104th Annual Meeting will explore the latest scientific and professional advances in areas from renewable energy to space weather, weather and climate extremes, environmental health, and more. In addition, cross-cutting interdisciplinary sessions will explore the theme of Living in a Changing Environment, especially the role of the weather, water, and climate enterprise in helping improve society’s response to climate and environmental change. Learn more at annual.ametsoc.org.
About AccuWeather
AccuWeather, recognized and documented as the most accurate source of weather forecasts and warnings in the world, has saved over ten thousand lives, prevented over one hundred thousands of injuries, and has saved people and companies tens of billions of dollars.
Today, AccuWeather is the most recognized and most used source of weather forecasts and warnings in the world, known to billions, and is proven and verified to be the most accurate. Digitally, AccuWeather is the #1 weather destination in the world and one of the top destination sites that exist globally.
AccuWeather forecasts appear on digital signage, in 700 newspapers, are heard on over 400 radio stations, and viewed on 100 television stations. The AccuWeather Network and AccuWeather NOW® reach an audience of over 125 million on cable and streaming platforms including DirecTV, Charter Communications – Spectrum, Verizon, Philo, Fubo, Frndly TV, Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Stream, Roku, Xumo, Red Box, Rockbot, LG, and Amazon Freevee.
AccuWeather For Business serves more than half of the Fortune 500 companies and thousands of other businesses and government agencies globally who pay for the most accurate weather forecasts from any source.
AccuWeather’s story is one of a fanatical dedication to Superior Accuracy™, detail, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, service, and the loyalty and commitment of scores of people who have joined AccuWeather’s center of excellence, including many who have dedicated their entire careers to AccuWeather.
Dr. Joel N. Myers, Founder and Executive Chairman, established AccuWeather in 1962 and is considered the “father of modern commercial meteorology.” Myers, a leading creative thinker and visionary, has been named “the most accurate man in weather” by The New York Times and one of the top entrepreneurs in American history by Entrepreneur’s Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs.
Visit accuweather.com for the most accurate hyperlocal forecasts and weather news. The AccuWeather app for Android phone and tablet users is free at the Google Play store. The AccuWeather iOS app is free at the Apple store.
