Don Cherry says people who believe in climate change are ‘cuckaloos’

By Rahul Kalvapalle

WATCH: Don Cherry denies climate change is real during ‘Coach’s Corner’

Veteran hockey broadcaster Don Cherry is facing backlash after appearing to deny the existence of climate change and calling people who believe in the widely accepted phenomenon “cuckaloos.”

Cherry, 83, made the remarks to co-commentator Ron MacLean on Saturday night during the first intermission of the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins, a day after Ontario’s newest forecasting groundhog Wiarton Willie signalled six more weeks of winter.

During his “Coach’s Corner” segment, Cherry, seated behind a plush groundhog toy, asked MacLean if he and his “left-wing pinko friends” could explain their fears over rising temperatures in light of the prevailing cold weather.

MacLean tried to deflect the question, but Cherry insisted, “I’m just asking you, the cuckaloos are always saying there are warming trends — we’re freezing to death.”

Several Canadians promptly took to social media to pan Cherry for his comments, including Environment Minister Catherine McKenna.

For hockey you can turn to Coach’s Corner if you want, for climate change, Canadians turn to scientists.

But Don Cherry might want to think about all those kids who might not have outdoor rinks to play on some day. #CLIMATECHANGEISREAL https://t.co/ObVwwYLiAr

— Catherine McKenna (@cathmckenna) February 4, 2018

Don Cherry is arguing global warming in a hockey intermission segment because a groundhog saw his shadow

— Richard Lee-Sam (@RLeesam) February 4, 2018

Don Cherry still being on TV is basically a sport not wanting to take away its grandfather’s car keys so he just careens around town all day

— Replacement Level Analyst (@loserpoints) February 4, 2018

Here’s the thing
Don Cherry (as much as he is a Canadian Icon and is loved) should not be on television.
He knows hockey, yes
And literally nothing else of the world right now but can’t help himself from commenting.
He is unbelievably expired.

— Cahhrles (@SmokesIndoors) February 4, 2018

at this point @hockeynight putting don cherry on television is legitimately irresponsible.

— (@bobbycappucino) February 4, 2018

It’s not the first time that Cherry has suggested that cold weather disproves the existence of climate change.

During one Hockey Night in Canada broadcast back in 2008, Cherry reacted to a video of environmental activist David Suzuki promoting Earth Hour by calling him a “left-wing kook.”

“We’re all dying of cold and he’s talking warming trends,” Cherry said on that occasion.

Climate vs. weather

So why then do scientists worry about global warming when it’s cold out? The answer lies in the fact that weather and climate aren’t the same thing.

Weather, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the U.S. points out, is what you experience when you step outside, and it can change quickly from one moment to the next.

Climate on the other hand concerns weather patterns over a long period of time, and changes more slowly.

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Don Cherry says people who believe in climate change are ‘cuckaloos’