Climate Change

From the Rim fire currently engulfing California to the Black Forest fire that burned more than 500 homes in Colorado, wildfires are becoming more destructive. In this video Matthew Hurteau, Assistant Professor of Ecosystem Science and Management at Pennsylvania State University explains the link between climate change and wildfires. Warming temperatures, prolonged drought, and a century’s worth of fire suppression policy are “priming the system to make it more flammable.” Related Articles The Rim Fire: More Evidence of Climate Change New Report on Extreme Weather in Australia The President's Climate Action Plan Full Transcript of President Obama's Georgetown Speech Climate...

Climate change and environmental degradation will make life unlivable for many people and this will force them to move. Whether in response to floods, droughts or extreme heat or to find water and food people all around the world will be displaced by the changing climate. These people are known as climate refugees and they are part of a new wave of environmental migration. According to the United Nations' definition from the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951) a refugee is a person who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality,...

Levels carbon dioxide (CO2) have grown steadily since the dawn of the industrial revolution and the trend is accelerating. While CO2 levels have grown steadily since the dawn of the industrial revolution, 2012 saw the second largest increase since record keeping began in 1959. In 2012, CO2 levels jumped by 2.67 parts per million (PPM) to just under 395 parts per million. With an increase of 2.93 PPM of CO2, only 1998 had a bigger annual increase in carbon dioxide. From 2000 to 2010, the world averaged a yearly rise of just under 2 parts per million. While in the...

Hurricanes and drought in the US this year make it difficult for Americans to ignore the costs of climate change. It is hoped that President Barack Obama will elevate the national climate change conversation, but he is constrained by a Congress that is resistant to the idea of making climate change a national priority. Related Articles Hurricane Sandy, Climate Change and the Upcoming Election The Staggering Costs of Ignoring Climate Change Tornadoes and Floods Underscore the Costs of Global Warming Insurance Company Acknowledges that Extreme Weather is Caused by Climate Change Hurricane Sandy is a Powerful Reminder for those who...

The horrendous impact of Hurricane Sandy is putting climate change back on the political radar just ahead of election day. A growing number of politicians are speaking out on the need for public policy that addresses the impacts of extreme weather events caused by climate change. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York has been traveling across the country stumping for President Obama. “It’s a longer conversation,” Cuomo said at a press briefing last Wednesday. “But I think part of learning from this is the recognition that climate change is a reality, extreme weather is a reality, it is a...

As Hurricane Sandy pounds the east coast Cenk Uygur, host of The Young Turks discusses the Republican party's stance on climate change. Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney's comments on climate change during is RNC speech are discussed. Cenk also breaks down the real reason the Republican party has the opinions they do about climate change, turns out it's all about the money. Related Articles Romney's Climate Change Ignorance on Display (Video) Romney Ignores the Causes of Hurricane Sandy as Republicans Shout Down Climate Change Advocate (Video) Meteorologist Discusses Relationship Between Hurricane Sandy and Climate Change (Video) Hurricane Sandy is a...

At a Romney rally in Richmond, Virginia, a Climate Change advocate was shouted down by an angry crowd of Republicans. In response to the statement "What about climate? That's what caused this monster storm. Climate change," the Republicans in attendance all began booing and then started chanting "U-S-A". The man, who was holding a sign that read "END CLIMATE SILENCE" was immediately escorted out of the event. Throughout, Romney has a frozen smile and just waits for the protestor to be removed. He then continues with his speech right where he left off without saying a word about climate change....

Forecasters say Hurricane Sandy is a rare, hybrid super storm created by an Arctic jet stream from the north wrapping itself around a tropical storm from the south. Jeff Masters, director of meteorology at the Weather Underground, warns that such a "Frankenstorm," as it is called, is an outgrowth of the extreme weather changes caused by global warming. "When you heat the oceans more, you extend the length of hurricane season," Masters says. "There's been ample evidence over the last decade or so that hurricane season is getting longer -- it starts earlier, ends later. You're more likely to get...

This video address Hurricane Sandy and the relationship of this super-storm to climate change. 350.org founder Bill McKibben says the storm is a wake-up call. Climate scientist Greg Jones from Southern Oregon University says: "This is a unique event and as a climate scientist I worry that these events will be more frequent." The storm killed 66 people in the Caribbean and the most recent figures put the death toll in the US at almost one hundred people. Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org. says the megastorm comes at a time when President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney have refused...

Hurricane Sandy wreaked massive destruction on the U.S. east coast. What is particularly noteworthy is the fact that this super-storm traversed a section of ocean that is typically too cold to form hurricanes. In addition to 90 mph (144 kph) winds and massive amounts of rain there was up to 3 feet of snow in West Virginia and other areas. The storm was accompanied by record low barometric pressure that pushed the storm far inland. Hurricane Sandy combined with two other weather systems to become a huge mega-storm. The super-storm ploughed well into the Midwest causing waves exceeding 24 feet...