Hurricane conspiracy theories fuel harassment of meteorologists

False claims about hurricanes being controlled or created by the government have led to increased harassment, including death threats, toward meteorologists working to deliver lifesaving weather forecasts.

Kate Selig reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Meteorologists have faced escalating threats, including accusations of covering up government manipulation of hurricanes.
Harassment intensified after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with conspiracy theories spreading online and undermining trust in experts.
FEMA workers have also been targeted, facing false claims and threats, which hamper disaster response efforts.

Key quote:

“Murdering meteorologists won’t stop hurricanes.”

— Katie Nickolaou, Michigan-based forecaster

Why this matters:

Disinformation erodes public trust in meteorologists when accurate forecasts are crucial for saving lives. The harassment also distracts experts from their primary role, compromising public safety during extreme weather events.

Hurricane conspiracy theories fuel harassment of meteorologists

Climate complacency is a worry, says UN environment head

EU to weaken more environment reporting rules, draft document shows

UN says world must jointly tackle issues of climate change, pollution, biodiversity and land loss

Federal judge finds Trump’s halt on wind energy is illegal

Data centers for AI could nearly triple San Jose’s energy use. Who foots the bill?

AI data center backlash: Public opposition to new projects is growing

Nowhere to move: How climate change became the property market’s biggest nightmare

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.