We've had a remarkable year as far as climate goes. So far this season, we've experienced five Category 3 (or above) hurricanes, with substantial damage to the Houston area with Hurricane Harvey and the devastation of Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria. With another 45 days left in hurricane season, we can expect more to come. There's an estimate that the cost of the 2017 hurricanes will exceed $200 billion.
But, hurricanes are just one form of climate worries. North America has experienced an extraordinary number of wildfires. As of this writing, there are over 2 million acres of land this currently on fire. That's the combined area of Rhode Island and Delaware. That's the area that is actively on fire. This season, there have been more than 8 million acres burned – with a loss of more than 500 homes. These fires have cost more than $2 billion in personnel and equipment that are fighting these fires.
With all of this activity, it is only natural to want to more fully understand if climate change is responsible, and what the real story of climate change is. This article published by the New York Times in 2015 and recently updated offers a basic explanation of climate change, and what we may look forward to in the next few years. We're sure you will enjoy it.
How much is the planet warming up?
Is there anything I can do about climate change?
Will a technology breakthrough help us?
Why do people question the science of climate change?
Is crazy weather tied to climate change?
Will anyone benefit from global warming?
How does agriculture affect climate change?
Will the seas rise evenly across the planet?
Article written by JUSTIN GILLIS.
Originally published by The New York Times in 2015 and recently updated in July 2017.