EU weather forecasters help fight climate change

BRUSSELS, Feb 16 (Reuters) The European Union has found new partners in its campaign against global warming: weather forecasters.

The European Commission gathered about 50 meteorologists and television weather presenters today and encouraged them to spread the word about how the public can curb climate change.

''The idea is very good,'' said Michael Fish, a former meteorologist at Britain's BBC and now a freelance.

''You need professional broadcasters who have the gift of the gab and are also well-known and respected... to give the message, and not a boring unknown politician.'' The executive Commission wants the forecasters to form a network to help raise public awareness about the dangers of global warming and to highlight ways that people can fight it.

''We have to feed them this information and to help them to change habits,'' said Maxi Biewer, a presenter for Germany's RTL.

Biewer said demand was high for news about weather and the climate. ''We can see it in the ratings. When it's weather-related, climate-related -- (viewers) want to know now.'' The Commission says turning off lights, installing energy-efficient bulbs, recycling waste and insulating houses are ways the public can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are blamed for heating the earth and melting glaciers.

REUTERS KR BD2249