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To: cogitator
Surface observations indicate that the planet warmed about 0.6 C in the 20th century, 0.8 C since 1850, and about 0.4 C since 1980.

Atmospheric observations don't, and 1850 is an arbirtary baseline anyway, let alone 1980.

What are the variance of normal mesoscale climatological fluctuations? No one knows.


The fairly-rapid warming since 1980 has been cited in numerous scientific studies as being at least partially caused by human (anthropogenic) factors, of which the most significant is greenhouse gas emissions from energy production.

There is grant money to be found by reaching poltically advantageous conclusions based on sketchy data.

We know even less about mesoscale solar weather patterns than we do about terrestrial systems. The Sun does not always burn with uniform intensity.

What is the effect of Earth's weakening magnetoshpere on our changing climate, if it's changing? No one knows.

What's the most prevalent greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, accounting for 70% of the total? Water vapor.

We don't "know" jack about human induced global warming, or if it exists at all.

25 posted on 12/08/2004 11:28:52 AM PST by Fatalis
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To: Fatalis
Atmospheric observations don't, and 1850 is an arbirtary baseline anyway, let alone 1980.

The most common graphs I've seen refer to an average 1960-1990 baseline. This incorporates a cooler period (60s and 70s) and a slighly warmer period in the 1980s. The graph below is small but shows what I mean:

As for atmospheric observations, presumably you mean satellite measurements since 1979? I suggest getting updated on the subject: several reanalyses of this data are showing increasingly large warming trends.

We know even less about mesoscale solar weather patterns than we do about terrestrial systems. The Sun does not always burn with uniform intensity.

You should peruse this Web page:

The role of the Sun in 20th century climate change

What's the most prevalent greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, accounting for 70% of the total? Water vapor.

That's correct, but water vapor fluxes are dependent on climate. The most significant variable that affects Earth's radiative balance is atmospheric CO2 concentrations, followed by the lesser greenhouse gases.

We don't "know" jack about human induced global warming, or if it exists at all.

Because I have a scientific background, it's hard for me to challenge a viewpoint that has little regard for the value of scientific knowledge. Scientists know a lot about this subject, but they'd always like to know more and be more certain. Even so, they know enough to be reasonably certain about most of the major aspects of current climate change.

34 posted on 12/08/2004 12:12:50 PM PST by cogitator
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