Warming Signs: Success By Simplicity

The world is warming at an alarming rate and the evidence is all around us. But sometimes, and particularly in days of misinformation, it takes a bit of insight to understand how the pieces of the climate puzzle come together. Here's where meteorologist and Weather Channel reporter Kait Parker steps in with this new podcast series, as she tries to answer a simple question: What is a warming sign?

Warming Signs is, plainly, a news podcast looking at current events from a scientific point of view. Stories and questions are dissected through a friendly chat between Parker and her guests. The first episode brought in Dr. Michael Mann, one of the most recognized and recognizable climate scientists around, to explain what is climate change under the light of the Midwest cold snap.

The second episode discussed the Sixth Mass Extinction (currently underway), bringing in academic Paul Ehrlich and BBC Natural Historian Mike Gunton. That was just days after a terrifying report warned that the mass disappearance of insects could lead to a "collapse of nature".

The podcast follows a very simple approach. It brings in the right guests and asks them the right questions. Episodes go live every Tuesday afternoon and are 15 to 20 minutes long, which I find really convenient. Production is polished and professional, as could be expected from The Weather Channel. The host is energetic and surprisingly positive even when confronted with some really dark topics.

Kait Parker masters what should be a staple of good journalism: the art of simplicity. And that's not as easy as it seems.