After years of painstaking research, scientists are now developing tools to make faster connections between disastrous weather and climate science.

A new computer modeling study from NCAR investigates how an increase in shrubs in the Arctic may affect permafrost. Over the past few decades, a warming climate has meant that the Arctic’s grassy tundra is being increasingly overtaken by shrubs.

Volcanic eruptions and resulting changes to sea ice and ocean currents may be the cause.

NCAR scientist Jerry Meehl explains the connection in this animated video.

Even as global warming coverage declines, some journalists are connecting the dots to extreme events.