Bad news if you’re an upland bird hunter who wants pheasants, grouse and quail to nest successfully, or if you live in a flood plain. Climate Progress is reporting on a new Rocky Mountain Climate Organization study that shows extreme rainstorms have doubled in the midwest over the last 50 years.

Bob Dylan had it right. The times they are a-changin’ ...

The clean, renewable energy that we need to power America’s future is under attack. Click here and take a look at an exceptional op/ed in the DesMoines Register. If you want to protect our hunting & fishing from climate change, it’s time to start calling your Senators and Congressman and demand that they support wind, solar and geothermal.

Here’s a quote from the opinion piece in the Register:

When this lands in the local paper, I am going to shock a few people. Many people locally know I am a registered Republican. But I believe in voting for the best candidate and the one who understands that clean energy is helping to revitalize small towns across Iowa and bringing manufacturing back to America when so many other industries have fled town.

I want the people to know that the president is keeping my American dream alive. Forget all the special-interest, out-of-state oil money and ads.

The proof of the success of Obama’s investments in clean energy can be seen in the wind blades dotting the landscapes all across Iowa.

Here’s a fascinating video on the real life impacts of sea level rise on a coastal community here in the United States. Many of us, especially those of us who live inland, don’t worry much about rising sea levels. But when you look at the financial cost, as well as the human cost, it’s obvious that towns and cities on the coast will bear an extra burden from climate change.

Watch Rising tide on PBS. See more from Need To Know.

Tags: Sea Level Rise

From the Washington Post - global warming threatens pine forests.

Climate Central has a new post with projected western spring & summer streamflow forecasts, as well as current U.S. drought conditions. Parts of Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico and California look like they're going to have some serious issues in 2012. If you’re an angler, you may want to keep an eye on the situation.

Here’s your chance - let us know what’s on your mind.

CH Tips - See the Light

In this edition of Conservation Tips, I’ll focus on efficient indoor lighting. By changing your bulbs and correcting your bad habits, you'll save energy and see major savings on your electric bills.

Tip 1 - Bailing out on Bad Bulbs: On average, lighting accounts for about 20% of household electric bills. According to the NYS Public Service Commission, this expense is largely due to inefficient bulbs and poor lighting habits. Since CFL bulbs use only a fraction of the electricity of incandescent bulbs, switching can save you both energy and money. LED bulbs are an even better solution. These extremely energy-efficient bulbs use only "20% – 25% of the energy and last up to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs they replace." While LEDs are still costly, the price is expected to drop as they become more popular. To find the right bulb, be sure to visit Energy Star's "Choose a Light" Guide.

Tip 2 - Lighting Right: By simply opening the shades and utilizing the sun's natural lighting, you’ll reduce the need to flip the switch during the day. On a larger scale, daylighting can offer substantial savings. Daylighting refers to the use of energy-efficient windows, skylights and advanced lighting designs. In addition, be sure to turn off the lights when they're not in use. This rule is a real no-brainer and should be adopted in every household. By switching to CFLs, utilizing natural sunlight and shutting off lights, you can save as much as $150 a year on electricity.

For more tips and information on energy-efficient lighting, please visit the Department of Energy's Energy Savers: Lighting & Daylighting Page.

Posted by Rod & Gun Club contributor Jeremy Schneider.