Friday marked the recognition of Earth Day, a day where climate change is a subject of heavy concern, skepticism and debate.
An area meteorologist originally from Two Rivers says that global warming is a little more complicated than most advocates make it out to be.
Luke Sampe, Chief Meteorologist for WFRV-TV out of Green Bay, was Friday’s featured guest on WOMT’s Be My Guest program. He reminded listeners that a cold snap in Manitowoc does not have much to do with the issue of global climate change, especially as data proves that temperatures are up globally.
“Yes. If you can see a trend on a map, yeah, we’re definitely going up. There’s just no two ways about it. Locally, here in Manitowoc, WI – maybe right now – we’re a little cooler.” Adding, “There’s a little more to this world than just Manitowoc, Two Rivers and even Wisconsin.”
That led to his frustration with people taking anecdotal notes about weather events, such as a cold snap, a heat wave or even just a rainy day, and using that as evidence to prove or disprove claims about the planet’s climate and man’s impact on it.
“You get climate from a whole bunch of weather events, but one individual [event], you cannot start making those connections.”
He noted that the debate often turns too political and that he advises being aware of the climate without falling into the political rabbit hole.
Sampe has received honors for “Best Weathercast” from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and also holds the Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society.
