Climate change has "roared" back into the news recently although it never really left. Within the last two weeks on the political front, President Obama released the current version of his Climate Action Plan much of which is aimed at human activities that may be impacting climate change.

More recently, Senator Marco Rubio, likely a 2016 presidential candidate, released a statement indicating that although he acknowledges climate change is occurring and that alternating cycles of global heating and cooling are a natural phenomenon, he doesn't believe that man's activities are impacting climate change.

Also related to climate change, Antarctica recently has been in the news. It was reported that an iceberg twice the size of the city of Atlanta and 180 feet thick had calved last November and was drifting toward open sea. The iceberg is the largest ever observed and represents a significant amount of water that will be melting even if it doesn't cause significant sea level rise.

Even more ominous, however, was the report on May 12 by the CBC that scientists studying the West Antarctic ice sheet have determined that it is in serious jeopardy. Warm ocean water is eroding the base of the ice sheet and according to the report in a very short time geologically (200-500 years) it could melt completely. If this happens, sea level rises of from 3 to 7 feet are predicted. Uh oh. Is global warming responsible? Yes.

What does the President's Climate Action Plan call for? In sum, it includes three principal categories, a continued reduction of carbon releases, preparation within the nation for the impacts of climate change, and working with other nations to forge international actions on global climate change.

Some of the specifics in the President's plan include the establishment of carbon emission standards, loan guarantees for innovative technologies related to fossil energy, and establishment of renewable energy projects, wind and solar, on public lands. Whereas efficient energy standards are in place for automobiles, the plan calls for establishment of fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty vehicles. As expected, climate change deniers are lining up in opposition to the plan.

What does this writer think? First let me state that I'm not a climate scientist but instead a hydrologist. However my academic training for hydrology did include some study of meteorology. With that as a background, I've observed that those natural phenomena that we have seen in recent years, devastating hurricanes, super storms, long-term droughts, massive flooding, destructive tornadoes, while not new occurrences, seem to be occurring more frequently. Throw into this mix such other phenomena as derechos and haboobs. Based on personal observations, I can unequivocally state that I am NOT a climate change denier.

Yes, I believe climate change is occurring. Like Senator Rubio, I understand that climate change fluctuates naturally over time. Unlike Senator Rubio, I believe that man's activities contribute to global warming. My position echoes that of the large majority of climate scientists in the country.

Accordingly, I support the President's Climate Action Plan. I believe that there are actions that we can take now that will benefit future generations in particular, reducing carbon emissions. Yes, it will cost money but isn't the future of our children and our children's children worth it?

I rest my case.