Are TV Weathermen in a Fog About Global Warming?

Could natural causes alone be responsible for such a dramatic swing in record high and low temperatures? Highly unlikely, because without some major catastrophe, natural climate change would occur much more gradually over a much longer period of time. Are cities warmer today than they were in the 19th century? Well yes, and human activity is obviously responsible for that.

Flashback: David Archibald on rapid, natural temperature variations

What is also interesting is the 2.2° temperature rise from 7.8° in 1696 to 10.0° in 1732. This is a 2.2° rise is 36 years [in Central England]. By comparison, the world has seen a 0.6° rise over the 100 years of the 20th century. That temperature rise in the early 18th century was four times as large and three times as fast as the rise in the 20th century.

The significance of this is that the world can experience very rapid temperature swings all due to natural causes. The temperature peak of 10° in 1732 wasn’t reached again until 1947.

Q&A with IU climate "expert" Ben Brabson: HeraldTimesOnline.com

QUESTION: How do you feel about people who have no scientific background working to discredit something they don't understand for political or financial gain?

Anthony DiMaggio, "Witness to Mediagate: Making Sense of the 'Climategate Scandal'"

Leading global scientists have been exonerated of blame in the "climategate" controversy, although this won't stop right-wing and corporate-funded pundits from attacking the science of global warming.

A firestorm of comments over LaHood’s big bike speech | Grist

Four weeks ago Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood climbed on a table and declared the reign of the almighty auto was finished. Federal transportation funding would no longer favor cars at the expense of bicycling, walking, and mass transit, said the 65-year-old Republican from downstate Illinois. A few days later he followed up with details and an explanation that this is what Americans have been asking for.

The effects of his words have been rippling out ever since. Gleeful, perceptive, wary, and downright stupid responses are floating about on bike blogs, Streetsblog network members, and other transportation forums. Here are some of the most entertaining ones...