There are certain moments in history that are so significant that they become Turning Points, moments that put a bookmark in time and cause the events that follow to be measured by a different standard. From natural disasters caused by extreme climate changes to the rise of social media, from the War in Iraq to the current global refugee crisis, such times are often fraught with conflict and tension. This series puts each event in its historical context and follows the trajectory of its immediate aftermath and continuing global effects today. A timeline adds further historical context, while "Pointing Out" sidebars present related topics and perspectives. A historical account of extreme weather events and climate patterns, including human events leading up to observable changes, the people involved in studying trends, and the lingering aftermath.