Global warming skepticism for busy people

As professionals and not-so-professionals go back and forth, sometimes decidedly unprofessionally, about their opinions regarding the supposed danger signs due to human industrial productivity (Dr. Franksenstien would be horrified) very little attention is given to the role of nature in the changing climate. To be sure, the climate is almost always changing, that should not be denied. Exactly how much humans are causing the current changes is not settled. Some people are using computer models and unproven assumptions to invent what the future will be like. Those models have repeatedly exaggerated the desired results.

“Warming since the 1800s Suggests Climate Models Are Too Sensitive” (Chapter 11). Climate models have exaggerated observed surface temperatures in the Corn Belt (Chapter 12). Climate models triple the effect from a doubling of CO2, while real world observations suggest there is little magnification at all (Chapter 13). NOAA data reveal that “U.S. droughts and floods have not increased,” “storminess has not increased,” and “ocean acidification isn’t destroying sea life” (Ch. 14).

Sea level rise (Chapter 14) is a prime comparison for human versus natural effects. Data has been recorded since 1880. The natural ocean level rise has been about 1/2 inch per decade. Since 1950, it has risen an additional 1/3 of an inch more per decade. If that is due to humans, still it is only about 1 inch more every 30 years. (Chapter 14). Not a doomsday acceleration. Read the book for yourself.

JEREMY CONLIN

Cocolalla