The Austin Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a national, nonpartisan, volunteer-led organization, has honored the KXAN First Warning Weather Team as Climate Coverage Champions. Meteorologist Jim Spencer, recently retired after 34 years at KXAN, was presented with his own plaque in recognition of his pioneering work in incorporating evidence of a warming planet into his newscasts. The other members of the First Warning Weather Team led by Chief Meteorologist Nick Bannin have continued and expanded on Spencer’s inclusion of climate messaging into weather forecasts when appropriate and relevant. An example is when they recently reported that 2024 was Austin’s hottest meteorological fall on record.

Other members of the First Warning Weather Team are Kristen Currie, Rich Segal, Freddy Vela, and Tommy House. All were present at the presentation of the Climate Coverage Champions award plaques. Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteer Dale Bulla presented the awards.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby has long recognized that local TV meteorologists are uniquely positioned to help the public understand the connection between extreme weather and climate change. By crafting weathercasts to inform viewers about how today’s extreme weather events fit into historical climate trends, the KXAN team helps to educate about the facts of climate change.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization with local chapters across the country. The organization advocates for legislation to support climate solutions. In addition to Dale Bulla, the Austin Chapter was represented by volunteers Cynthia Lesky, Pat Bulla, Susan Meredith and Matthew Weldon. To learn more about the work of CCL citizen lobbyists, and to sign up to volunteer, follow this link to the website.