The respected ABC journalist goes rogue on live TV to deliver an alarming message during his regular finance segment, leaving viewers shocked.
- ABC finance reporter strays from segment topic
Esteemed journalist Alan Kohler stunned viewers after delivering an urgent message on climate change during his late-night finance segment on ABC News.
Kohler initially stuck to his usual financial topic with information on China’s economic outlook and updates on Australian mortgage rates, before moving on to address the seriousness of climate change, a subject that caught many by surprise.
“Antarctic sea ice extent is at a new record low, slightly lower than last year’s record low,” he said.
“That’s not funding yet, but it will be.”
On Monday, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released preliminary data showing the hottest week on record, record sea surface temperatures and loss of sea ice in Antarctica.
Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest level in June since satellite observations began, 17% below average, breaking the previous June record by a significant margin.
Throughout the month, the daily extent of Antarctic sea ice remained at record 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 for the satellite era, and almost 1.2 million square kilometers compared to the previous record in 2022.
“That’s a really dramatic drop in Antarctic sea ice extent,” said Dr Omar Baddour, WMO’s head of climate monitoring.
Veteran ABC journalist Alan Kohler followed up his late-night finance segment on Monday with some shocking news outlining how Antarctic sea ice is at an all-time low.
The World Meteorological Organization said Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest level in June since satellite observations began.
The clip of Kohler’s warning has been widely shared online, including by climate change activist 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 deviated from his usual segment.
Allan is the best. And he “gets it,” read one comment.
“Time for everyone in the media to do the same,” said another.
‘Talk about #ClimateEmergency’.
A third called the news a “scary 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. It’s time to rethink its importance by including roundups on global warming and the state of the environment on all nightly news broadcasts.’
Another added: ‘He really is a person who stands head and shoulders above many other financial analysts. Bold and authoritative.
But other viewers weren’t impressed with Kohler’s warning.
‘Enough with the climate crisis and the fear of pornography,’ said one.
‘Hmmm, maybe you should stick to finances,’ added a second.
“Hey Allan, maybe you’re just guessing about finances,” added a third.
“Poor Alan, he got his major economic calls wrong so he took on the weather,” said a fourth.
The World Meteorological Organization said record 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,” said Professor Christopher Hewitt, WMO Director of Climate Services.
“This is worrying news for the planet.”
