A couple of thoughts... Looking at the graph, the "hiatus" or plateau for surface air temps is sitting well above the 20th century averages; this is already a problem, since the last decade contains several of the highest average global temps on record. Last year the highest ever for Australia -- the year before for the continental US. We are ALREADY seeing the adverse impacts of climate change -- invasive species costing farmers and ranchers (and forests here in UT) millions in losses. The article fails to mention that sea levels are rising FASTER than the IPCC forecasts. Vast stretches of coral reef are dying, fresh water resources are disappearing for large metro areas across the globe, and the antarctic ice is starting to break up, at disconcerting rates. The article concludes with, basically, "it's OK to wait and see what happens next" -- a foolish summary, IMO. It may already be too late to reverse course in time to make a difference. We may already be past the tipping point. What's ridiculous is that these costs are orders of magnitude above any imagined profit losses to energy companies (whose FUD machine annually outspends NASA's entire budget). My 2 cents. /R ________________________________ From: Brent Watson via Utah-Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 2:39 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] An interesting article This article points out a common occurrence in science. Models that are used to predict the future are notoriously fallible. They must be continually tweaked to make sense. This is the essence of science and the scientific method. Rarely do we get it right the first time. I bring this up so there can be an intelligent conversation about the topic. There is always way too much name calling and innuendo made by commenters, as can be seen in the comments section of this article. Please, lets have a civil conversation. Without civility there can be no unemotional, fact based debate. I for one would really like to hear the rational facts from both sides of this (unfortunately) hotly debated topic. Again, please no name calling, and only rational fact based debate. http://business.financialpost.com/2014/06/16/the-global-warming-hiatus/ _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".