Sarah Long
Sarah Long, a meteorologist at CBS 13, in Portland, Maine, says her viewers thirst for environmental information.
Learn more about Sarah’s work by visiting the WGME weather page.
Why did you decide to fill the role of Station Scientist? Where do you see a need in your community for using Earth Gauge environmental and climate information?
While my title does not include “station scientist,” I do try to be a constant resource for our newsroom, making producers and the news director aware that they have someone in house that can speak to the science/environment stories they are working on. Our weather team spreads out this title, so that the meteorologist on duty also acts as the station scientist for reference.
Our viewers thirst for environmental and climate information. I see this in the public talks that I give, whether at a school or to other groups. People want to be good stewards to the environment, and with so much information — some of it contradictory — they are looking for a solid source.
How does your role as a broadcast meteorologist go beyond the daily forecast?
As mentioned above, I am often out of the weather office visiting with groups of people and school kids. I use this opportunity to educate and excite the public about the atmosphere and our climate. It gives me a candid arena to speak with viewers and take as much time as I need to answer their thoughtful questions while also sending them back to our online resources and, of course, our newscast for a continual feed of weather and environmental information they are looking for.
I am not always able to dig for fresh environmental topics during the busy early morning hours. Earth Gauge is helpful in providing a point of topic and discussion that I can post to our viewers that come to our Web site. It helps to bulk up my morning discussion with something extra, something different to add after the synoptics.
Which Earth Gauge materials do you use? What topics or tips have you found particularly helpful?
I use Earth Gauge materials online most often. With more and more online venues being added to our plate there are multiple places to post either the same information or make it more exciting and post different tips on our Web site, Facebook page and Twitter feed. Being pressed for time, Earth Gauge is a great way to add a tip or link that I may not have thought of.
The environmental impact and astronomy tips are the most helpful, it gives the info I post more range than the daily forecast.
Since you began using Earth Gauge information, have you seen a difference in your audience’s response to environmental information?
If I use an Earth Gauge tip on an interactive site, like Facebook, it’s a way to get a discussion going. We have thousands of “fans” on our station page — the perfect venue.
What is one issue that affects your local environment and how have you covered it?
Once fall arrives, the heating oil discussion is a given in Maine. We have all heard tips on how to heat our homes more effectively and use less fuel, but the Earth Gauge tips have helped me to put some fresh ideas out there for our viewers.
Where is your favorite local spot to spend time in nature and connect with your local environment?
My garden is my absolute favorite place to spend time outside. I live in a spot where many people choose to vacation — Portland, Maine. I love Portland because it’s close to the ocean and also the White Mountains in New Hampshire, so I have lots of choices.