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These days it seems like we are witnessing 

The nature of our seasons is changing. Spring blooms 

documented increase in extreme localized flash flood events

...and more frequent droughts. Fall lingers longer. Lakes freeze up later. Winters are trending shorter and noticeably, measurably milder. 

are able to thrive in Minnesota's milder climate.

in our lifetime. This is no longer your grandparents "Minnesota" or Planet Earth.

In 2013 at MPR we're devoting more coverage to the science behind and the growing effects of our changing climate in Minnesota and around the globe.

You can hear me discuss the week's top climate stories, and get perspective from climate experts in our new "

" every Thursday morning at 9:50am with Kerri Miller on 

President Barack Obama on Tuesday outlined a plan to use executive actions to cut carbon pollution and prepare for the costs of climate change.

The speech was long overdue for some, and set a tone for action on one of the biggest environmental issues of our time.

Decades of climate change research all points to the same conclusion. We're changing the chemistry of our atmosphere, and increasing its ability to trap heat. It's basic chemistry and physics. A warmer, wetter atmosphere can deliver more intense storms. Rising ocean temps raise sea levels through the expansion of warmer water, and through melting ice.

And what about the costs? You and I are already paying some increased costs of climate change through higher insurance rates...so called "shared risk" for the increasing number of billion dollar weather disasters.

Insurance and reinsurance giants like Swiss Re have been factoring in climate change for years. And Swiss Re even has their own

But what are the policy implications of action on climate change? And is this our generations "

" opportunity? Retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency can be a huge job creator...something people don't often consider when discussing the implications of climate change. That's something of great interest... and it may be an opportunity for an economic boom in the building and energy sectors in the coming decades.

This week on Climate Cast we go In-Depth with 

weighs in along with other guests as we discuss what the President's new initiative may mean for our energy and climate future.

How much can science protect us from the effects of climate change?

Climate Change Mitigation: What you can do

Let's fact it, Climate Change can seem like an overwhelming problem with few easy solutions.

Many of you have asked what you can do in your lives to combat and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Here are some great resources from NASA and EPA.

Want to know more about climate change? Here are few quick links to credible climate change sources.

Minnesota Public Radio primer on Climate Change

-Great summary of Modern Day Climate Change 

The Yale Forum on Climate Change and Media

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Every Thursday MPR meteorologist Paul Huttner joins Kerri Miller on The Daily Circuit for “Climate Cast” on MPR News Stations to talk about the latest research on our changing climate and the consequences that we’re seeing here in Minnesota and worldwide. These days it seems like we are witnessing climate changes unfold right before our very eyes. It’s not…

Climate Cast: The science and policy behind Obama’s climate initiative

Go Deeper.

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