It has been out for ten years or so, but I continue to recommend David Laskin's book on this topic.  It is called Braving the Elements, and it does a nice job of reporting the history of how we in America have regarded the weather. 

Laskin connects our current outlook on climate change with America's puritanical underpinnings, claiming that ecological concerns are, to a degree, the 20th century version of "prayer and good works." 

Laskin delves into some interesting and thought-provoking territory, such as the concept of "normal weather," which seems a deeply-held belief for us--that there is a "norm."  (Weather patterns in the US appear to shift about every thirty years--years of feast followed by years of famine.  When it comes to US crops and farms, the pattern is made less obvious once we tap into the Ogallala Aquifer.)

A good bit of attention is given to the outpouring of "global cooling" studies from the 70's, which is why this senatorial speech reminded me of this particular book.  It's a good read, as is Laskin's other book (I think he has only two), about the amazing blizzard of 1888.  Called The Children's Blizzard, this book will forever have you casting a more suspicious eye to the seeming calm of the day.  Both highly recommended.

Herring405