The local weather report, the number one reason Americans tune into local television newscasts, is one of the few ongoing sources of science coverage in the media. Because meteorologists are often the only professionals in the newsroom with a science background, and are highly-trusted public figures, they are well-positioned to serve as “station scientists,” covering a range of environment and climate science topics on-air, online and in community outreach activities.

This poster will highlight the Earth Gauge® program, a partnership between the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the COMET® Program. Earth Gauge reaches The Weather Channel and over 225 local broadcast meteorologists, radio broadcasters and journalists in 126 media markets with information to educate viewers about the relationship between weather, climate and environment. Earth Gauge provides broadcast meteorologists and other subscribers with a free, weekly e-newsletter that ties a range of environmental topics to the local 3-day forecast; climate facts highlighting relationships between global climate and local weather; video clips and visual resources for use on-air and online; and fact sheets and backgrounders. The program also works in partnership with the COMET® Program to provide continuing education courses tied to AMS certification.