Climate change

Two reports released this week warn of dire impacts of new record-high levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. Swift, strong measures to control emissions — and the resulting increase in average global temperature — are urgently needed, scientists say. A state DEC official came to Riverhead Monday night to discuss what needs to be done locally.

Riverhead Town has taken a pledge to become a “climate-smart” community, joining seven other Suffolk County towns in a statewide program aimed at helping communities reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy and prepare to deal with the impacts of climate change.

The bill would decreases U.S. carbon emissions 33 percent over the next decade — and create over 2 million new jobs, lower health care costs and promote energy innovation.

Sea-level rise, coastal erosion and flooding, more frequent and harsher extreme weather events, extinctions and crippling economic consequences are just some of the impacts of global warming we are already experiencing — and they will grow worse, according to the Fourth National Climate Assessment, issued Friday by the federal government. Are we ready to deal with it?

A Category 3 hurricane would cause storm surge that would inundate large swaths of the North Fork. A Category 4 storm would inundate entire communities.

N.Y. State is seeking public input in its development of a low-carbon transportation policy at a public listening session Tuesday, Oct. 16 at East Wind in Wading River.

The state DEC last year issued a “medium projection” of sea level rise for Long Island of 16 inches by the 2050s and a ‘’high projection” by then of 30 inches. Column by Karl Grossman

It’s critical for the world to work together to try to stop what is happening.

Over 300 species of birds in North America are at risk due to climate change, but there are things we can all do to help.

From rising sea levels to declining cold-water fish populations, global effects of climate change are playing out right here at home.