Triple price of gas to save planet, climate expert argues

The Swiss climatologist [Thomas Stocker] is a key player with the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

He and the IPCC say there is no question the climate is changing because of the huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases wafting into the atmosphere through the burning of oil, gas and other fossil fuels.
...
Stocker said there are still unknowns in our understanding of how climate works, but the ominous projections are "not crystal ball readings" but are based on facts and well-established scientific laws.
...
Stocker co-chairs the IPCC working group of 250 scientists exploring the scientific aspects of climate change.
...
The IPCC's last report in 2007 stated "warming of the climate system is unequivocal" — a "fact" that Stocker said has not been challenged despite the IPCC recent troubles.
...
There is speculation that climate change is already causing more extreme weather, but Stocker said there is still no proof that the number of tornadoes — like the ones which have been tearing across the U.S. this spring — is increasing. "But we can say with confidence that it fits the picture," he said.

Research shows snowpack decline in West | Great Falls Tribune | greatfallstribune.com

"I think the findings are pretty significant," said author Greg Pederson, with the U.S. Geological Survey. "It means trees are telling the same stories as computer models and instrument records — that human greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to the loss of snowpack. It's kind of hard to argue that warmer temperatures don't melt snow and ice."

Large amounts of snowpack still sit in mountains | Great Falls Tribune | greatfallstribune.com

If all the snow still sitting in the headwaters of the Sun River drainage melted at once, it would equal 2 to 4 feet of water.

"There is just tons and tons of water up in the mountains," said Ben Schott, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Great Falls.