2012 was a year of extreme weather: massive floods, torrential rains, a super-typhoon and record drought. These and other extreme weather events were consistent with what most scientists predict will be the “new normal” as the world’s climate continues to change.
2012 Brings Public Focus on Climate Change
13
The United Nations Convention on Climate Change met in Qatar in December for annual talks to address the impact of climate change. (UNFCCC)
14
In 2012 polar ice sheets melted at an accelerating rate. In this photo surface melt water rushes along the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet through a supra-glacial stream channel. (Ian Joughin)