General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why Do Many Reasonable People Doubt Science? [View all]Chemisse
(30,809 posts)Notice how this black line starts at a dip in 1993, shoots up toward a peak in 1998, then continues up at that same angle to project the future temperature change. So it starts at the lowest point in that decade, goes to highest point, then predicts the temperature will continue to increase at that same pace.
As it happens, the dip in 1993 was due to a large volcanic event, which blocked a lot of sunlight. The peak in 1998 was thanks to an El Nino year of unusual warmth (we know what that is like right now, don't we?).
Still, the projection does exceed what's happened. How could that be? OMG, is climate warming a hoax.
Well, rather than resort to hyperbole and denial, let's look again at science. Climate is very complex. Scientists did note a flattening period. Possible explanations of factors that could work independently to counteract the CO2 increase effect on temperature are: 1. Oceans may be absorbing the extra heat (and there is evidence for that). 2. The banning of CFCs and consequence rethickening of the ozone layer may have blocked a bit more of the sun's energy from reaching the earth. 3. Eruptions of at least 17 volcanoes since 2000 have blocked varying degrees of sunlight.
That is the problem with deniers. They try to use science, but really don't understand the complexities involved.