Global warming is foremost an issue about the relationship between human societies and natural systems. Climate impacts are foremost an issue about the safety and well-being of people, families and communities.

There is no question that sustainable recovery from disasters -- particularly moving out of harm's way -- can be a slow, frustrating, arduous process. More enlightened federal funding policies and programs would make it easier and more common.

Sandy is only the latest extreme weather event that severely afflicted Americans over the past two years. The Center for American Progress report "Heavy Weather: How Climate Destruction Harms Middle and Lower Income Americans" analyzes the impact of the 21 most destructive extreme weather events in 2011 and 2012.

Mega-fires like Millie will become increasingly common in the years to come, as climate-change clears our forests. The men and women who fight fires in our country are the best we -- and our government -- have to offer.

This summer's conditions may indeed be perfect for fire in the Southwest and West, but if you think of it as a "storm," perfect or otherwise -- that is, sudden, violent, and temporary -- then you don't understand what's happening in this country or on this planet.

The summer from hell continues to bring wave after wave of extreme weather events, and each one provides yet another example of what climate change is doing to our families and businesses.

Whether or not we are ready to conclude that today's extreme weather events are linked to global climate change, it would be utterly irresponsible for us to ignore the possibility.

The Los Angeles times reports on some Californians' worst fears -- that the wildfires put something bad in the air: It was full of tiny particles -- ...

MARIPOSA, Calif. — Smoke had turned the sun a deep glowing red by the time Dutch tourist Trees Duipmans and her three teenage children reached a...