A meteorologist in Iowa has quit his job after receiving death threats from conservative viewers over his climate change coverage.
Chris Gloninger, who served as the chief meteorologist at the CBS affiliate KCCI in Des Moines, announced he is leaving his position after 18 years in the television news industry due to the threats, which he subsequently shared have also caused him to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“18 years. 7 stations. 5 states. I am bidding farewell to TV to embark on a new journey dedicated to helping solve the climate crisis," he wrote. "After a death threat stemming from my climate coverage last year and resulting PTSD, in addition to family health issues, I’ve decided to begin this journey *now*."
Gloninger posted some of the emails sent to him, including one that read: “Getting sick and tired of your liberal conspiracy theory on the weather." Another, which Gloninger said came from the same man, added: "What’s your home address, we conservative Iowans would like to give you an Iowan welcome you will never forget."
Danny H. Hancock, a 63-year-old man from Lenox, Iowa, pleaded guilty last year to third-degree harassment of Gloninger, admitting to sending the string of emails. He was only fined $150.
"The threat of course was concerning, but the stream of harassing emails is even more distressing. It means he is thinking about it constantly," Gloninger wrote in another tweet. "He is angry about it and filled with hate."
Gloninger said that he is now joining Woods Hole Group, an environmental engineering consulting firm, as a Senior scientist in climate change and climate risk communication. Gloninger added that he will be dedicating his “full-time efforts to finding sustainable solutions and fostering positive change.”
"I take immense pride in having educated the public about the impacts of climate change during my career," he continued. “Let’s confront this challenge head on and shape a more resilient future for generations to come.
