As the first significant cold snap of fall hits much of Maine, it might seem like an odd time to talk about global warming. Temperatures are falling this week, dipping into the teens and single digits.

But a significant new study released this week details the damage that climate change is having in the Arctic – the ice cap is melting faster than expected, average temperatures are increasing and the impact could be felt as far away as Louisiana and Florida, as rising ocean levels threaten coastal areas.

The report, written by the Arctic Council and the International Arctic Science Committee, determined that average winter temperatures in parts of the Arctic region have increased by about 7 degrees in the past 50 years and that an area of sea ice as big as Texas and Arizona has disappeared, a pace that researchers found alarming.

Climate change is a serious issue that deserves more attention and a more coherent approach. Efforts must be made to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are driving climate change.

Sens. John McCain and Joe Lieberman have proposed legislation that would begin to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Their plan has been rejected by President Bush. It deserves a second look.