It’s Official: 2012 is Hottest U.S. Year on Record
A snapshot of how 2012 stacks up against the five other warmest years ever recorded in the U.S.
Autumn is on the Move
If it seems like autumn leaves are taking longer to change color, you’re not imagining things. Over the past 25 years, the onset of autumn has shifted.
Lightning-Caused Wildfires
As the graphic shows, people cause most wildfires. But lightning-ignited fires burn by far the most territory.
Wildfires in the West
In 2006, wildfires burned seven million acres in the West, the equivalent area of five of the country's largest national parks.
In Nevada, Fires Follow Rain
In a desert state like Nevada, heavy rains promote plant growth but can lead to more wildfires.
In Montana, Fires Follow Drought
In a forested state like Montana, hotter and drier years leave forests more susceptible to large wildfires.
Colorado River Basin Supply vs. Use
With drought, increasing water consumption, and climate change, the Colorado River Basin — lifeblood of the Southwest — appears headed for a day of reckoning.
Copenhagen Diagnosis
The Copenhagen Diagnosis is a major climate change report released on November 24, 2009. Key findings in the report include that climate-related changes are happening faster than scientists expected only a few years ago and that the average scientific projection for sea level rise has increased sharply.
