The most important graph about global warming

[Blaithin]

The big issue of global warming would mean that it would warm to a point that would spin us into a cold trend. Not a year or two either. That's why theories like the switching of the Gulf Stream are interesting to know. Global warming doesn't mean stable, higher temperatures. It means less predictable, more unbalanced systems.

Would the world get there on its own anyway. Sure.

Can we stop it. No.

Are we contributing to it and helping speed it up. Pretty much undeniably.

Are there other things to be concerned about. Sure.


I'd like more focus to be given to agricultures ability to sequester carbon. If we're going to be taxed on what we make, it should be taken into account what we sequester. More than any oil industry anyway. That only makes for a more well rounded education anyway!

[mustardman]

I look at all the true pollutants that are still being released around the world, and think of how even a fraction of the money being spent trying to stop CO2 emission would be so much better spent on actual pollutants and real problems.

I make certain my kids understand the difference between pollution and CO2, because the schools do their best to confuse the matter and keep brainwashing them into believing that CO2 is a terrible pollutant.

Ya the next thing the dang schools will be teaching evolution and sex Ed

[ajl]

Global warming is just an excuse to raise tax revenue to pay off Liberal/NDP supporters mainly the public sector for their support at the ballot box. Going to have to fund those pensions somehow. Mind nobody believes this scam that did not vote Liberal/NDP.

[fjlip]

Hitler... The bigger the LIE the easier to sell it...something like that. Same with climate change Nazis.

[dmlfarmer]

Impressive graph. 400,000 years! But for how many years has man been around to influence the weather? 10,000? Which would be just the last mark on the graph until the end. And how long has man been truly reliant on fossil fuels for transportation, food production, etc which MAY affect climate? 100 years? On a 400,000 year graph, 100 years is less than a pin point so to infer that man has no effect based on this graph is ridiculous.

There is no doubt there is a long term radiant solar cycle and that climate changes with it. But that does not mean man has no effect. Nor would a 400,000 year graph show the impact of a significant change in the last 100 years.

Furthermore, the increasing rains and current snow in Saskatchewan does not prove global cooling or climate change one way or another. It is weather not climate. The case could me made that the storm is a result of a warming planet, which is resulting in the disruption of the jet stream which is increasing moisture in that province.

[macdon02]

I find it odd that no one recognizes the big ball of fire that appears in the sky from time to time. Currently behind a snow storm here. It's so vain to assume we are the ones affecting weather, somewhat like assuming the earth is the center of the universe and its flat.

[dmlfarmer]

Macdon if you comment is meant for me, I already acknowledged the sun impacts climate. So does the wobble of the earth on its axis. So is the chart provided evidence of solar radiation, or the change in the tilt of the earth on its access, or a combination of both. Or could it be something else althogether like cosmic solar winds that are even longer term cycle. To say the sun is the only cause is no different than saying man has no effect.

We do know that man has released solar energy that was captured and stored in fossil fuels over hundreds and hundreds of thousands of years in just the last 100 years. To claim this could have no effect on climate/environment is very naïve.

[burnt]

Macdon if you comment is meant for me, I already acknowledged the sun impacts climate. So does the wobble of the earth on its axis. So is the chart provided evidence of solar radiation, or the change in the tilt of the earth on its access, or a combination of both. Or could it be something else althogether like cosmic solar winds that are even longer term cycle. To say the sun is the only cause is no different than saying man has no effect.

We do know that man has released solar energy that was captured and stored in fossil fuels over hundreds and hundreds of thousands of years in just the last 100 years. To claim this could have no effect on climate/environment is very naïve.

dlmfarmer - how is it more naive than it is to claim that human activity has an impact?

You made the claim, now we should have the benefit of being presented with the evidence on which you base your claim.

And remember, when placed against the above chart, your evidence must show the human impact within the parameters of the variations.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

dml, perhaps I should have explained why I think this graph is relevant. I thought it was self explanatory. 400000 years is obviously far too long and with too low resolution to show any human impact. This graph has nothing to do with AGW. What it does show is the very brief interglacial warm periods within the glacial epoch we are in. It shows that from here, the earth is capable of cooling 8 degrees,or warming a fraction of a degree. It shows that this warm period we are in is the exception and not the rule. This warm period during which all of human civilization has taken place. It shows that this warm period is already longer than the past 4 reprieves from glaciation. The optimist could look at this and claim that the cycle of glaciation is over and we have entered a new phase of perpetual warmth, nothing to worry about. The pessimist could could say this warm period is already long in the tooth and will end at any moment. ANd if you believe in the power of AGW, maybe we should be claiming victory over natural cycles, and good times are here to stay.

I look at this graph and think we had better enjoy the warm times while they last, and find a way to take advantage of it, and possibly save some of this abundant energy that comes from the currently benevolent sun.

[dmlfarmer]

Since you like graphs, consider this one. We should be seeing a temperature trend downward given the 400,000 year chart. However, actual temperature data from NOAA for the last 125 years show an upward trend, and in fact the shorter the time period used the faster the acceleration of temperatures.
https://goo.gl/images/4Fvi5T