What is up with this weather? In the past few years we have had unprecedented (at least in most of our lifetimes) flooding, tornadoes, and ice storms. In the spring of 2008, we had massive flooding in Poplar Bluff and surrounding areas. In the winter of 2009, we had a major ice storm that took down power lines (many people were without power for a month), damaged roofs, and destroyed trees. Now in 2011, we’ve had another major flood in our area, that has left many people homeless and has destroyed thousands of acres of farm land. Also, in areas just south of us (Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas) there have been catastrophic tornadoes that have killed hundreds of people and have done millions of dollars worth of damage to homes and businesses.
What is causing this major shift in our weather patterns? Is it just a cycle of nature or is there a major shift in our climate?
If you’re interested in what’s happening with our weather and would like to know more about what causes different weather events and climate changes, we have many resources at the ARC/Rutland Library that will help you in your quest for answers. To get you started, I have listed a few of the books, videos, and databases that are available.
Books
Hot, Flat, and Crowded : Why We Need a Green Revolution – And How It Can Renew America by Thomas L. Friedman.
The Coming Global Superstorm by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber.
Sun, Weather & Climate by John R. Herman and Richard A. Goldberg.
The Great Flood of 1993 : Causes, Impacts, and Responses edited by Stanley A. Changnon.
Weather by John Farrand, Jr.
Severe and Unusual Weather by Joe R. Eagleman.
Weather in Your Life by Louis J. Battan.
Videos and DVD’s
The Miracle Planet – VHS
An Inconvenient Truth – DVD
Databases
Science On-Line
GREENR
“Confronting Global Warming” Databases
