Yesterday and last night we witnessed an absolutely astonishing demonstration of the power of nature. What they are calling “superstorm” Sandy rolled ashore along the Eastern seaboard of the United States, bringing high winds and extreme tidal surge. Water flooded in to communities all along the coast. Images of nearly waist deep water in the streets of Atlantic City filled our television screens. Waves crashed into lower Manhattan, sending flood water spilling into tunnels and subways. Power was knocked out to millions of people.

And the storm was not limited to a small area or a few communities. West Virginia received over a foot of snow from the storm which has wreaked havoc across roughly a third of the continental United States, from lake Michigan to the coast, and from Florida into Canada.

For a good idea of just how unusual the size and scope of this storm actually is, take a look at these photos. They show Sandy in comparison to Hurricane Irene. Note in the second photo the sheer scope of area covered by the storm.

Experts are shaking their heads, having never seen a storm of this size.

So, we are thinking, between the growing size and frequency of storms, and the  severity of the drought this summer across much of the country, are we seeing, as many experts believe, the long predicted effects of global warming?

There is no doubt that global warming is taking place. The discussion is over whether it is caused by the activities of men or part of a natural cycle. But a quick study of the status of polar sea ice this last summer is enough in and of itself to answer in the affirmative that change is certainly happening.

One begins to wonder just how much change we will see. Are these droughts and monster storms just the beginning?

As we move through these uncertain times, it is a good idea to keep our children informed without the use of hyperbole or alarm. Which is why Mobile Ed offers Our Changing Climate , a 45 minute long assembly program designed to shed light on this subject in a non controversial manner for kids in grades K-8. Our performer is Mr. Jeff Hoge, who is resident most of the year in the greater Chicago area.

As an incentive to schools to bring this program in this Fall and help kids make sense of these events, we are now offering a $75 discount on this program for date between now and Christmas. This offer is extended to schools in the area covering all of greater Chicago, the Lake counties of Indiana, South eastern Wisconsin including Milwaukee, and extending West as far as Rockford, Illinois. It is a great offer on an important program, and one we hope you can use.

In the meantime, we send our hopes and prayers out to all of those caught in the wake of this terrifying storm and hope for a rapid resumption of all power and utilities.