Climate scientists join familiar weather anchors on French TV's nightly forecasts

State broadcaster France Télévisions has transformed its nightly weather segment into the Journal Météo Climat.' The format sees regular weather anchors collaborate with climate scientists to offer viewers a comprehensive perspective on weather patterns and long-term implications of life on a hotter planet.

The five-minute newscast contextualizes daily weather within broader climate news and events — for example, a new report on the rapid decline of forests' ability to act as carbon sinks — helping the audience connect day-to-day weather events to overarching climate trends. To balance sobering news with optimism, the program also highlights stories on climate mitigation, adaptation and solutions.

Viewer engagement is another key component. Using the #OnVousRépond hashtag or an on-screen QR code, audiences can submit climate-related questions, which are then addressed by either the weather presenter or a scientist. Sunday broadcasts feature a special segment where children pose questions directly to the camera, adding a multigenerational dimension to the dialogue.

Contrary to expectations that viewers might switch channels once climate content appears, the new format has resonated with French audiences and boosted the network's ratings. Public concern about climate change is growing in France, fueled by increasingly frequent extreme weather events, particularly droughts and intense heatwaves. France Télévisions launched Journal Météo Climat in 2023. Last month, Audrey Cerdan, the network's climate editor, was awarded a 2024 Covering Climate Now Journalism Award.