In the past three months, wildfires have razed thousands of acres in California, killing 41 and leaving over 400 missing. In September, the strongest earthquake in a century devastated Mexico. Monster hurricanes ravaged Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico (as well as many other Caribbean Islands) causing massive damage and loss of life. Does climate change explain these events or at least their severity? Read hurricanes and climate change (Links to an external site. for a discussion of recent catastrophes.

Climate change affects the world in a myriad of ways, from melting polar ice caps to decreasing global agricultural supply, and unleashing mega droughts in Sub Saharan Africa. Watch CNN's slide show 11 ways climate change affects the world (Links to an external site.

Some effects may surprise you. Particularly poignant to me, is the slide of the snowcaps of Mt. Kilimanjaro. In 2006, my nephew climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with the express purpose of doing so before the glaciers disappeared. Tragically a freak rockslide killed him and two other Americans. Scientists have long warned that global warming has degraded the snow and glaciers on the mountain; The rocks could have been dislodged by melting snow.

For this discussion, select an article from a reputable source that discusses any global effect of climate change that is of particular interest to you. Summarize the article and give us your thoughts on the topic.