Wacky Winter Seen As Sign of Climate Change

The severe winter weather affecting the United States is just another symptom of climate change and global warming, says a new report. The National Wildlife Federation study surmises that the unusual volume of precipitation this year is the result of more atmospheric moisture because the Great Lakes are “less likely to freeze over.” Thus, “surface water evaporation is recharging the atmosphere.”

Even the study’s authors understand that the correlation is a tough sell. “It's very hard for any of us to grasp how this larger warming trend is happening when we're still having wintry weather,” one tells the Washington Post. That attitude is borne out in polling. One survey shows the number of people who believe global warming “is happening” has plummeted to 57%, from 71% in 2008. “Global warming is not necessarily a conversation that most Americans want to actively participate in,” a professor says. (More global warming stories.)