Dave Eichorn spent 20 years as an award winning Meteorologist for NewsChannel 9 WSYR-TV in Syracuse. Many people think Eichorn retired when he left NewsChannel 9. According to Eichorn, that’s not the case at all.
For the last year, Eichorn has been quite busy holding two adjunct teaching positions- SUNY Oswego and Onondaga Community College, where he teaches Introductory Meteorology. Eichorn also recently completed a new Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science.
"Over the last several years, I have become keenly interested in how dramatic changes in the Arctic seem to be affecting large scale atmospheric weather patterns in the northern hemisphere. When one takes a meteorological perspective in looking at climate change, a whole new frontier of possibilities opens up," said Eichorn. "That’s why I am back in school for the long haul. In graduate school, I want to work on atmospheric computer modeling and develop a better understanding of how a change in climate will affect weather in the Great Lakes. In order to understand that climate change connection we need to better understand how the Great Lakes interact with the atmosphere right now.".
Eichorn, who was raised in Webster, NY and now lives in Tully, says this region is an ideal place to examine global weather patterns and potential regional impacts as a result of climate change.
"Nationally, we are just now coming out of the midst of a major economic recession, all during this difficult time there has been a buzz of activity going on in both our local government and in our private sector from people who are working to strengthen our economic base around a more “sustainable” economy," said Eichorn. "In one sense “sustainability” refers to something economically long lasting, but also in another sense, the word sustainable also refers to quality of life, efficient use of energy, and a cleaner environment. An economy which is built around sustainability, and revolves around product development based on that has great promise. There are a lot of people here who share that vision and are working to make that happen."
While going to school and teaching, Eichorn has also been actively involved with the Amos Project- a center where people come together and interact
with multiple exhibits and technical demonstrations about New York’s
Central Upstate Region’s push for sustainability. The Amos Project has its head quarters in downtown Syracuse in an Erie Canal era building which recently achieved LEED Gold for Commercial interiors (leased space in an existing building). In partnering with the Amos Project Eichorn has given dozens of talks and presentations on climate change with a meteorological perspective to thousands of Central New Yorkers. While discussing regional efforts to combat climate change, Eichorn also seeks to dispel some local weather myths.
"One thing that people don't know is that Syracuse does NOT average 119 inches of snow per year. The airport does, but not downtown Syracuse. When you look at our climate that way, we are not much different than many cities which share the same latitude as us. And so what? When it snows, we deal with it like no other city I know. So snow rarely is much more than a temporary inconvenience, said Eichorn. "One thing which is NOT a misconception, is the awareness people from outside this area have about steps we have taken to develop a new emerging economy around energy efficiency, technological innovation, and a more sustainable lifestyle. It’s hard to realize that from within, but after talking to business leaders in this community who are well connected with business people from outside Central New York, there is no question we are getting the right kind of attention."
