NOAA: Climate change contributed to many 2012 extreme weather events

Human-induced climate change likely played a role in many 2012 extreme weather events, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Analysis by 18 separate research teams working across the globe found that Hurricane Sandy, melting Arctic ice and extreme rainfall events were all tied to climate change.

Higher sea levels are thought to have played a role in the powerful storm surges seen during Hurricane Sandy.

Increased levels of heat-trapping gasses in the atmosphere also increased the probability of continued high temperatures by four times.  The report projects that the majority of Arctic sea ice will be melted by around 2050.

Click here to see the full report published in the Bulletin of American Meteorological Society.

Image: Superstorm Sandy after making landfall on the U.S. East Coast (Credit: NASA)