According to the University of Rhode Island Climate Change Collaborative, the world is getting warmer, the oceans are getting warmer and more acidic, storms are getting more intense and sea levels are rising at an accelerated rate.
A study funded by the Rhode Island Sea Grant, found that the sea level in Newport has increased eight inches since 1930. By 2100, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council said to expect three to five feet of sea level rise.
More Americans than ever believe that the earth's temperature has been getting warmer. Currently, 67 percent say there is evidence of global warming, up four points over last year, according to a Pew Research article published last month.
The study reported that 42 percent say the warming is mostly caused by human activity and less than 20 percent believe the changes are a result of natural changes.
What do you think about the recent extreme weather patterns? Do you think the recent storms are a symptom of climate change? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Nellie Sabin
12:53 pm on Sunday, November 11, 2012
A single hurricane does not signal climate change - but I believe during Hurricane Sandy other parts of the world had volcanic activity, an earthquake, an ongoing drought, and a tsunami at the same time. These extreme events seem to be happening much more often, along with strange weather patterns. The country can't afford to deny global warming. We have to prepare for the next event, however unlikely it seems.
The Shill
2:30 pm on Sunday, November 11, 2012
Repent the end is near Dec. 21, 2012.
Sheila
8:12 am on Monday, November 19, 2012
Of course it has to do with Global Warming.
Steve
8:47 am on Monday, November 19, 2012
Or Global Cooling? Who knows? It's too soon to tell - the earth is about 4 billion years old and we have reliable weather records going back no more than 100 years. Even archeological evidence (tree rings, ice cores) only cover the tiniest fraction of earth's existence. Our current glacial period started a bit over 2 million years ago and the glaciers have advanced and receded many times since it started. The current "Global Warming" period started about 10,000-15,000 years ago. Sea levels have been rising ever since, and continue to rise today. In 2007, solid evidence of this was found at the bottom of the English Channel: http://www.livescience.com/1759-stone-age-settlement-english-channel.html
Weather happens. It gets worse and it gets better. I'll bet it even snows more when the glaciers advance! Does your SUV or your "carbon footprint" have anything to do with it? Not likely!