Al Roker delivers climate change talk as severe weather hits Michigan - Detroit Free Press

Al Roker delivers climate change talk as severe weather hits Michigan

Al Roker says he loves doing the weather and 'coming to Detroit'
Frank Witsil

Celebrity forecaster Al Roker was in Detroit this week to give a speech on climate change. He was upstaged, by — what else? — the weather.

In Michigan, there were thunderstorms, tornados and flood alerts, which, perhaps supported his talk.

The 68-year-old NBC news personality and new grandfather still gave his TED Talk. And he gave his social media followers a glimpse of how he saw Detroit, including where he ate breakfast and stopped in at WDIV-TV (Channel 4). The TED conferences, which originally stood for Technology, Entertainment, Design, are global gatherings of experts.

Roker focused on how extreme weather events were fueled by climate change, threatening national security and displacing communities, the Free Press reported. He said he recognized more than ever the significance of leaving behind a better world for future generations.

On his Facebook account, he said he: "Just had #breakfast at, what I’m told, is one of the best #detroit the #cliquediner This is one of their lighter options," and posted a photo of a bowl of grits, a fried egg, sausage and pancakes at the Clique Diner on Jefferson.

Roker visited Detroit last year to deliver the weather for the "Today Show" from the Detroit Riverwalk, and to taste some coney dogs as part of a segment on his show "Family Style with Al Roker."

This time, he visited WDIV's studio for the first time, calling it beautiful and huge, sitting down for a segment with newscasters Jason Colthorp and Rhonda Walker.

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Roker told them he'd never given a TED talk before, but said the topic was really important. And he said he wanted to emphasize solutions to climate change. The New Yorker also compared the the Fillmore Detroit, where he spoke, to Beacon Theatre on New York's Upper West Side, which he called gorgeous.

Walker told the jovial weatherman it seems like "we all know you," and asked him what he loves. He replied that: He loves doing the weather. He said he is a "relatively mediocre" talent, but has worked with "terrific people." And, he said, he loves "coming to Detroit."

Free Press reporter Mika Travis contributed to this report.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com