This year’s drought, as well as severe storms on the east coast, have highlighted the increasing severe weather resulting from climate change, says Central College professor Paul Weihe. Climate change was a recent topic on Central College President Mark Putnam’s blog. Weihe says that Iowa sees the effects of climate change not just in the frequency of drought, but also in the length of the growing season. While a longer growing season may seem good, Weihe says that also leads to an increase in pests and changes in the soil. He says in Marion County people can make small changes in their life to reduce their carbon impact, and that everyone will need to chip in to limit climate change.