Dear CHANCE Colleagues,

The United States is still feeling the effects of three major hurricanes this year. Hurricane Harvey brought record rainfall to Houston. Hurricane Irma ravaged Florida. Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, causing more than 50 deaths, and months later, most of Puerto Rico is still without power, many people lack access to clean drinking water, and suspected cases of leptospirosis (a bacterial infection) are rising.

Climate change is the environmental challenge of our and the next generation. Although there are deniers, NASA and climatology scientists have described the compelling evidence of climate change.

Climate change is the theme of this special issue of CHANCE. Here are some of the reasons why. Global temperatures are rising, with 2016 the warmest year on record and the third year in a row with record-setting surface temperatures. Eight of the 12 months were the warmest on record for those respective months.

Earth’s average surface temperature has risen about 2.0/1.1 degrees Fahrenheit/Celsius since the late 19th century, when records began on a global scale. This change is driven largely by increased carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere, now at its highest point in 3 million years at 400 parts per million (2016), and other human-made emissions into the atmosphere.

Most of the warming occurred in the most recent 35 years, with 16 of the 17 warmest years on record occurring since 2001. The oceans have absorbed much of this increased heat, with water temperatures rising 0.302 degrees Fahrenheit since 1969.

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