Global
temperatures have leveled off over the past 15 years, even as carbon
dioxide (CO2) concentrations have continued to rise. This is a measured fact that confounds strident climate-change predictions.
Why no corresponding rise of temperatures with increasing CO2? Because other gases, vapors, and chemical/physical effects are still operating in the atmosphere to influence climate. CO2 does not act in a vacuum.
Thus,
as CO2 has increased dramatically over the previous decades,
substantial global temperature increases have not materialized as we
were assured they would by academic, government, and political
scientists. This is in large part because of the
overwhelming role water plays in regulating climate (for example, while
CO2 is only at 0.04% by volume in the atmosphere, water vapor ranges
from about 0 to 4%).
As far as climate statistics go, much perspective is needed. First of all, with respect to 2012 being touted as the warmest year on record for the contiguous U.S., note that the contiguous U.S. covers less than 2% of the earth's surface.
As far as climate statistics go, much perspective is needed. First of all, with respect to 2012 being touted as the warmest year on record for the contiguous U.S., note that the contiguous U.S. covers less than 2% of the earth's surface.
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