Though some argue global warming is impacting the world’s climate, NIU staff meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste does not believe it’s affecting DeKalb’s weather.

Sebenste finds DeKalb’s weather to be the same as it would normally be, despite temperature changes experienced in the last month.

“We have experienced warmer weather in DeKalb in October, and now we find ourselves with weather that’s below normal,” Sebenste said. “This is something that can be considered a natural variability.”

This type of weather pattern is similar to those experienced in the region many years ago, he said.

“If you look at the weather that occurred 100 years ago, it’s about the same kind of weather that we’re experiencing now,” Sebenste said.

Alex Hogan, a junior art major, is not concerned about the possibility of global warming affecting DeKalb right now, since he thinks it won’t be an issue until later in the future.

“It’s not really a big change, because global warming is a process that will take several years down the road to actually see a more significant effect in our weather,” Hogan said.

Hogan thinks that to lessen the potential effects that global warming could have on the local climate, people need to take certain actions.

“I ride my bike more than I drive my car in order to not harm the air as much,” he said. “And I also use eco-friendly light bulbs that help our environment.”