The session on risk communication and emergency management begins by defining the importance of effective communication during crises. It explores the challenges during times of emergency, and the need for clear, transparent messaging amidst uncertainty and skepticism. Best practices in risk communication are emphasized, including leveraging diverse communication channels, tailoring messages to different audiences, and engaging with local stakeholders. It is not a “one size fits all approach.” An example stemming from climate change illustrates these concepts, showcasing successful strategies used in a climate-related emergency. The session concludes with a Q&A, encouraging participants to share their experiences and emphasizing the critical role of proactive risk communication in building community resilience in the face of climate-related challenges. About Chris: Christopher Gloninger has worked as a broadcast meteorologist since 2006, having earned his BS in meteorology from Plymouth State University; he also was awarded his Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) accreditation from The American Meteorological Society. Chris has worked at Rochester and Albany, New York; Saginaw, Michigan; Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Boston, Massachusetts, and Des Moines, Iowa. During his career, Chris has forecast and covered all types of weather: hurricanes, blizzards, flooding, historic ice floes. Over his career, he has been awarded three EMMYs, two NBC GEM awards and Wisconsin Broadcaster awards.
During his time in Boston, Chris earned his MS in Emergency Management and Risk Communication from Millersville University in Pennsylvania. He also began the nation’s first weekly Climate Change broadcast. He hosted a weekly online Q&A with some of Boston’s top scientists; all to bring attention to climate change.
Chris was recruited to become Chief Meteorologist in Des Moines, Iowa because of this ability to tie weather patterns to climate change with facts and statistics. However, climate deniers did not approve of his coverage, and Chris received death threats and decided it was time for a career change. Chris had been working for Arcadis in climate mitigation and resilience taking on many different roles as needed. More recently he earned his CCM (Certified Consulting Meteorologist) accreditation from the American Meteorological Society. With his diverse background, Chris returned to Massachusetts to work with Woods Hole Group on climate solutions and climate risk communication.
