Climate Change
Throughout the Earth’s geological history the atmosphere has gone
through cycles of warming and cooling driven by factors including solar
radiation and volcanic eruptions. The planet is rapidly warming today,
but this time the cause is human activities.
Because
humans are causing global warming, we can cool it down and stabilize the
climate. The most important steps are to use energy more efficiently,
replace fossil fuels with clean energy sources such as sun and wind, and
protect forests. By taking these steps we will not only stem global
warming – We will also provide secure energy supplies and generate new
jobs and prosperity in clean technologies.
News and commentary
What's causing the deadly cold in Europe
In recent years there have been studies examining how the global warming-related loss of Arctic sea ice might affect winter weather patterns in the northern hemisphere. Some of this research shows that sea ice loss may favor winters with predominately negative phases of the Arctic Oscillation.
Researchers document profound cascading ecological effects as Rocky Mountain snowpack diminishes
A steady decline in Rocky Mountain snowpack the past few decades has led to a classic cascading ecological effect, with "powerful" shifts in mountainous plant and bird communities, according to scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey
How 2011 Became a 'Mind-Boggling' Year of Extreme Weather
PBS report on climate change: From snowstorms to floods and tornadoes, severe weather wreaked havoc across the United States this year, with 2011 marking far more extreme weather events than a typical year.
