Today is the last full day of summer (in the northern hemisphere), and global climate data indicates that 2014 was the warmest since record keeping started in 1880. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the average Earth temperature from June to August was nearly 63 degrees, or 1.3 degrees higher than last century's average. The primary factor was the rise in ocean surface temperatures of some 1.23 degrees over the last century's average. Climate change brings with it dramatic changes in weather patterns, such as epic storms, and historic droughts, which we've been experiencing in North America for over a decade.
Thousands are expected to march today in Manhattan to express their frustration over delays in curbing carbon emissions, the major factor in causing the greenhouse effect that raises global temperatures. The New York event will be part of demonstrations in some 150 countries to call on their leaders to meet the challenges of climate change. In addition, the United Nations is hosting a summit of world leaders in two days to address programs to curb carbon emissions. Will this produce, as in the past, promises, stalling and inaction? We've nearly run out of time -- some say it's already irreversible -- to deal with the negative human impact on climate.
UPDATE: The New York City march drew over 300,000 people.
(photo: Associated Press, Mel Evans)
