KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |Local Meteorologists Debate Global Warming

Local Meteorologists Debate Global Warming

It's a movement that's gained momentum and has become mainstream, especially in political and media circles.  Even major television networks these days are promoting Going Green, to stop Global Warming.  One of the things you're not hearing in the national media is a voice like John Coleman, founder of The Weather Channel.  In a recent article, Coleman calls Global Warming the greatest scam in history. 

"There is no runaway climate change," said Coleman.  "The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic.  In time, a decade or two, the outrageous scam will be obvious."  

KLTV 7 has three meteorologist on staff.  It's their job to analyze weather patterns both in the short term, and the long term.  When it comes to Global Warming, all three have a lot to say.

It's being blamed for almost every major catastrophe, hurricanes, tornados, flooding and even droughts.  More and more people are now on the Global Warming bandwagon.

"Any idea can become mainstream if you just hear one side of the argument," said KLTV 7 Meteorologist Morgan Palmer. 

For those who study the weather everyday, the idea of man-made Global Warming is a scientific theory, and Palmer says it has now become political.

"It is because of money," said Palmer.  "Folks that are writing these papers, that a lot of institutions are going after, grant money and grant money is given by folks who might have very good intentions, but unfortunately the papers that are being written are heavily weighed on man-made Global Warming." 

Now, Meteorologist Mark Scirto and Grant Dade want the other side of the argument to be heard.

"I think it is about time we see the other side of the Global Warming debate come out," said Dade.  "Is the Earth warming? Yes, I think it is. But is man causing that? No. It's a simple climate cycle our climate goes through over thousands of years."

"The late 1800's, early 1900's, we were so cold parts of Galveston Bay froze over," said Scirto.  "In parts of the 20th century it was one of the warmest ever, then we cooled off again and then it was the drought." 

Dramatic pictures float the Internet and are seen all over T. V. that seem to show Global Warming taking place, but Dade said there are things we don't hear.

"Did you hear about the Arctic ice melting? But you didn't hear in Antarctica last winter was the most ice ever recorded," said Dade.  "You don't hear that."

"Eventually, what is going to happen 20, 30 years from now, this is all going to be gone because we will not be warming anymore," said Scirto.

Until then, the debate continues.

Now, Scirto, Palmer and Dade all agree there is a positive outcome that has evolved from the Global Warming debate.  That is the Go Green Campaign that is sweeping the nation.

Molly Reuter, Reporting. mreuter@kltv.com