Despite deep chill, global warming is still a peril: scientists

AFP on Yahoo ^ | 1/07/09 | Jerome Cartillier

[NormsRevenge]

PARIS (AFP) – A cold front is sweeping across Europe after gripping swathes of North America last month, but the deep freeze does not mean the threat of global warming has abated, caution scientists.

"The major trend is unmistakably one of warming," Michel Jarraud, secretary general of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), told AFP.

"If we look at the trajectory over the last 160 years, it overlays a large natural variability, and that's what causes confusion."

The cooler weather that was a hallmark of 2008 can be explained partly by La Nina, a reversal of the phenomenon by which warm waters build up on the surface of the Pacific, said Jarraud.

"The problem is that people are confusing weather with climate," Susan Solomon, a top scientist on the UN's Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), said in a recent interview.

"Weather is important locally, and from year to year. But what you really have to look at when you are interested in climate is the larger scale -- the whole world -- and the longer term," she said.

Even if 2008 was on balance chillier than 2007, it still ranks as the 10th warmest year on record, she pointed out.

And over the long haul, average global surface temperatures have climbed significantly -- between 0.75 and 1.0 degrees Celsius (1.35 and 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) -- since 1850, when accurate weather statistics were first recorded.

[LibLieSlayer]

Arctic Ice in 2008 was back to 1979 levels... lying POS... anyone that promotes globull warming... LIARS ALL!!!

LLS

[vpintheak]

These people are clinically insane. Listen you morons, we will forgive you. Simply admit you were completely totally wrong about globull warming and move on. We are stting records fro cold here in Fairbanks, get a grip.

[tom h]

"If it's too hot, it's because of global warming. If it's too cold, it's because of global warming. If it rains too much, it's because of global warming. If there's a drought, it's because of global warming. What a racket."

If you want a laugh, watch Fox News' spoof on Global Warming alarmism.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5CL8SbPRVc

If you want another laugh, a bitter one perhaps, try the 12 Days of Global Warming:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmPSUMBrJoI

[SuziQ]

Have your daughter read, "The Chilling Stars", by Henrik Svensmark. It gives a much large picture of climatological changes than the AGW folks have shown, and possible reasons for those changes. She might also take a look at THIS site, which also shows how the climate has changed over the millenia, and that, notwithstanding the hot air about Global Warming, a Little Ice Age could be on the horizon.

[SuziQ]

Just finished re-reading Michael Crichton's "State of Fear". Excellent reply to the watermelon schills.

I'd LOVE to see that one made into a movie!!

[RetiredArmy]

100% total B.S. Europe just went through two of the coldest weeks on record. I was listening to the G. Gordon Liddy show today, and he had the guy who founded Accuweather. He said the same cold that hit Europe would hit the USA Jan 15-30 and be some of the coldest on record. Already the weather channel’s 10 forecast for us here in Alabama, show highs in the 40s and lows in the teens and 20s in about a week from now. So up thar in da north, put your long johns on.

[BuffaloJack]

The socialists just don’t give up, now, do they?

[Army Air Corps]

You are most welcome. As many here can attest, my humour is oft odd, warped, and random.

[EyeGuy]

“Awesome, Succinct rant!”

####

Thank-you.

The subject matter inspires.....