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Reader question: Please explain this sentence: It’s time to connect the dots between extreme weather and climate change. My comments: Extreme weather, such as super storms, seems to occur more frequently now than they used to. Climate change, characterized mostly by global warming as a result of the so-called green house effect, is also accelerating. These two are connected. It’s time to recognize that connection. You’ll recognize the connection if, that is, you know how to connect the dots. Connecting the dots is a phrase inspired from the children’s game of the same name. In the connect-the-dots game, black dots (tiny spots) are seen littered on the piece of paper. These dots are numbered, say, 1 to 100. If you line the dots up one after another by their number, you’ll reach an end result of a picture drawn from the lines linking all the dots. Hence, by extension, when used as a metaphor, to be able to connect the dots refers to the ability to piece together individual items of information in order to form a full view of a situation. In other words, you’ll be able to, like a detective, reach a conclusion by analyzing isolated, individual events and incidents. Since you have to connect all the dots in order to have a full picture, therefore the important point to remember about connecting the dots is this wholesomeness – a complete view. If you are able to connect the dots, you’ll be able to, for instance, see the woods instead of just individual trees. | 
