It’s past time for a real conversation about carbon pollution, and how much we are already paying. We know what’s happening, and we know why. But when talk finally turns to solutions, we always hear the same refrain: We can’t afford to do anything about climate change. The reality is that what we really can’t afford to do is nothing.

MORE LIKE THIS: Carbon Conversation // carbon pollution // Dirty Weather // Extreme Weather // Feature

Global climate disruption messes with our water. As sea levels rise, we get more water in the places we don’t want it. But what about the water we do need? Scientists are finding that the impacts of climate change make freshwater inhospitable for fish and wildlife.

MORE LIKE THIS: Dirty Weather // Feature

There are several manmade sources of the carbon pollution that’s warming our climate, from deforestation to animal agriculture. But let’s clear up one thing right away: Dirty Energy, the pollution from fossil fuels, is the single the biggest contributor to climate change. And the biggest Dirty Energy source is coal.

MORE LIKE THIS: Clean Energy // Dirty Weather // Feature

It’s cooling down in many parts of the U.S., but the worst drought in decades is still going on. Just when you think the news about the drought can’t get any worse, here’s something else to worry about. A lot of things you buy are about to get more expensive.

MORE LIKE THIS: Dirty Weather // Feature

Our Chairman, former Vice President Al Gore, just announced a worldwide, online event taking place on November 14, 24 Hours of Reality: The Dirty Weather Report. Watch the announcement here:

MORE LIKE THIS: Climate Denial // Dirty Weather // Extreme Weather // Feature

As we pollute our atmosphere and warm our climate, extreme and disruptive weather is becoming a part of our lives. Here’s one big example of this dirty weather: Extreme drought.

MORE LIKE THIS: Dirty Weather // Feature // Food Security

What does global warming look like across the United States? Check out these eye-opening photos in the LA Times; Dramatic visual evidence that climate change isn’t just on its way in the future, it’s happening now.

MORE LIKE THIS: Dirty Weather // Feature

The weather in Louisiana isn’t cooperating with residents trying to deal with storm damage from Hurricane Isaac. It’s so hot and sticky that Louisiana’s Secretary of Health and Hospitals issued a stark warning about the heat: “This is a serious condition that can kill you.”

MORE LIKE THIS: Dirty Weather // Feature // ImTooHot

As Hurricane Isaac exited the Gulf of Mexico and passed over Louisiana, more than 600,000 customers in the state lost power and tens of thousands of people were told to evacuate. This is a big storm, and many people are dealing with severe flooding and wind damage. But there’s another group with eyes glued to Isaac’s path: the fossil fuel industry.

MORE LIKE THIS: Dirty Weather // Extreme Weather // Feature // Oil and Gas

As the residents of New Orleans can tell you, it only takes one intense hurricane to cause years of grief. The best evidence suggests hurricanes will get more dangerous as the world warms and sea levels rise. And the more global warming pollution we put into the atmosphere, the worse things will get.

MORE LIKE THIS: Dirty Weather // Extreme Weather // Feature // Sea Level Rise