A report issued yesterday by the government's top scientists says the impact of global warming is already having a negative effect on the country's climate. They warn of blistering heat in the southwest, flooding in the mid-west and an increase in the number of hurricanes along the Atlantic coast.
This week, scientists from around the world are gathered at Ohio State University to look at the effects of what they call "abrupt climate change".
Lonnie Thompson is a lead scientist at the conference. Thompson is a researcher and distinguished professor in the School of Earth Science at Ohio State. He talked with WOSU Morning Edition Host Marilyn Smith about this week's conference and what "abrupt climate change means?"