For decades, scientists have warned that the continued burning of oil, gas and coal will have devastating effects on the climate. These impacts are felt all over the world. By all accounts, the last few years have been brutal for the climate—and for the people and other living things in it. Temperature records were broken all over the world. The floods engulfed Pakistan, Libya and many other countries in torrents that destroyed property and claimed lives. Strong hurricanes hit the usual land targets such as the east coasts of India and the United States. And there have been strange once-in-a-generation events like the tropical storm that hit California.

The science of what is happening is clear. Scientists have known for more than 100 years that large amounts of greenhouse gases, released when fossil fuels are burned, rise into the atmosphere and warm the planet. This warming leads to frequent and more extreme changes in weather. In this sense, climate change can be considered a major accelerator. (The Associated Press, more at phys.org)