Respected ABC journalist goes rogue on live TV to deliver an alarming message during his regular financial segment – leaving viewers shocked
- ABC’s financial reporter deviates from the segment topic
Esteemed journalist Alan Kohler has shocked viewers after delivering an urgent message about climate change during his nightly financial 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 turning to the seriousness of climate change – a topic that surprised many.
“The extent of Antarctic sea ice is at a new record low, well below last year’s record low,” he said.
“That’s not finances yet, but it will come.”
The veteran journalist’s bold departure from his usual financial segment drew high praise from Australians, who praised his efforts to bring attention to climate change.
Climate change campaigner Sophie McNeill praised the reporting as “brilliant”.
Alan goes through the latest global inflation and mortgage rates and then shows us the latest record-low sea ice levels in Antarctica, concluding, “That’s not funding yet, but it will be soon.”
A second added: ‘Alan is the best. And he gets it.’
A third said ‘time for everyone in the media to do the same’, while a fourth called the news a ‘terrifying reality ignored by governments’.
A fourth said, “Thank you Alan Kohler for using your platform to remind us that thriving economies are built on thriving ecosystems. Time to reframe its importance by including summaries of global warming and the state of the environment in every evening news broadcast.”
Another added: “He really is head and shoulders above many other financial analysts. Fearless and authoritative.’
A minority was not impressed by Mr. Kohler’s warning that he should focus solely on reporting on economics and finance.
“Stop the climate crisis fear porn,” one said.
“Hmmm, maybe he should stick to finances,” a second added.
“Hey Allan, maybe stick to guessing about finances,” a third added.
“Poor Alan, he was wrong with his big economic decisions, so he’s talking about the climate,” said a fourth.
On Monday, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released preliminary data on the warmest week on record, unprecedented sea surface temperatures and sea ice loss in Antarctica.
Sea ice in Antarctica reached its lowest level in June since satellite observations began, at 17 percent below average, breaking the previous June record by a significant margin.
Throughout the month, the daily amount of sea ice in Antarctica remained at an all-time low for the time of year.
There was about 2.6 million square miles of Antarctic sea ice loss compared to the satellite-era long-term average, and nearly 1.2 million square miles compared to the previous record in 2022.
“That’s a really dramatic drop in the amount of sea ice in Antarctica,” said Dr Omar Baddour, head of climate monitoring at WMO.
Veteran ABC journalist Alan Kohler followed his overnight financial segment on Monday with some shocking news describing how Antarctic sea ice is at a record low
The World Meteorological Organization said Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest level since satellite observations began in June
The World Meteorological Organization said record-breaking temperatures on land and in the ocean could have devastating consequences for ecosystems and the environment.
“We are in uncharted territory and we can expect more records to fall as El Niño continues to develop and these effects will extend into 2024,” said Professor Christopher Hewitt, WMO Director of Climate Services.
“This is worrying news for the planet.”