Respected ABC journalist goes rogue on live TV to deliver an alarming message during his regular finance segment – leaving viewers shocked
- ABC finance reporter veers off-script
- He shared a message about climate change
Esteemed journalist Alan Kohler has shocked viewers after delivering an urgent message about climate change during his nightly finance segment on ABC News.
Kohler initially stuck to his regular topic of finance with insights into China’s economic outlook and updates on Australian mortgage rates, before he pivoted to address the gravity of climate change — a topic that took many by surprise.
‘The extent of Antarctic sea ice is at a new record low, quite a bit lower than last year’s record low,’ he said.
‘That’s not finance yet, but it will be.’
On Monday, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) revealed preliminary data showing the hottest week ever on on record, unprecedented sea surface temperatures, and Antarctic sea ice loss.
Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest extent for June since satellite observations began, at 17 per cent below average, breaking the previous June record by a significant margin.
Throughout the month, the daily Antarctic sea ice extent remained at unprecedented low values for the time of year.
There was about 2.6 million square kilometers of Antarctic sea ice loss compared to the long-term average of the satellite era, and almost 1.2 million square kilometers compared to the previous record in 2022.
‘That is a really dramatic drop in the sea ice extent in Antarctica,’ said Dr Omar Baddour, chief of climate monitoring at WMO.
Veteran ABC journalist Alan Kohler on Monday followed up his nightly finance segment with some shock news describing how Antarctic sea ice is at a record low
The World Meteorological Organization said Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest extent for June since satellite observations began
The clip of Mr Kohler’s warning has been widely shared online, including by climate change campaigner Sophie McNeill, who described the segment as ‘brilliant’.
Twitter users flocked to the comments section to praise the veteran journalist, with many left shocked after the reporter went rogue from his usual segment.
‘Alan’s the best. And he “gets it”,’ one comment read.
‘Time for everyone in the media to do same,’ said another.
‘Speak up about #ClimateEmergency.’
A third dubbed the news as a ‘terrifying reality being ignored by govts’.
A fourth said: ‘Thanks Alan Kohler for using your platform to remind us that thriving economies are based on thriving ecosystems. Time to reframe their importance by including globalwarming and state of the environment summaries in every evening news broadcast.’
Another added: ‘He truly is a person who is head and shoulders above many other finance analysts. Fearless and authoritative.’
But other viewers were not impress with Mr Kohler’s warning.
‘Stop with the climate crisis fear porn,’ one said.
‘Hmmm, perhaps he should stick to finance,’ a second added.
‘Hey Allan, perhaps stick to guessing about finance,’ a third added.
‘Poor Alan, wrong on his major economic calls so he’s taken on climate,’ a fourth said.
The World Meteorological Organization said the record-breaking temperatures on land and in the ocean have potentially devastating impacts on ecosystems and the environment.
‘We are in uncharted territory and we can expect more records to fall as El Niño develops further and these impacts will extend into 2024,’ professor Christopher Hewitt, WMO Director of Climate Services, said.
‘This is worrying news for the planet.’
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