dr. kevin trenberth of the national center for atmospheric research says, without question, the warming of earth's climate will create more extreme weather. >> we know that certainly is the case with hurricanes. the higher sea surface temperature puts more moisture into the atmosphere. that gets sucked up by the storm. there's heavier rainfalls. it boosts the power of that storm a little bit and makes it just a little bit worse than it otherwise would have been. >> adding to the destructive future of these superstorms, rising sea levels, also fueled by climate change. >> we have satellites in space that are measuring sea level to millimeter accuracy now. since 1992, sea level has gone up 2 1/4 inches since then. >> we expect more in the next century. if you start with higher water, the storm surge will be added on top of that until we get a higher flood. >> rising seas, heightened storm surge, a terrifying prospect facing millions of people living on the east coast. >> my community, my neighborhoods, my best friends, they were all affected by this in a way they are never going to be able t