New York Times admits that CO2 levels and seal populations don't correlate well: "seal populations declined from 1950 to 1972 and then gradually recovered from 1973 to 2000"

For Seal Pups on Thin Ice, a Short Childhood - NYTimes.com

In correspondence with to patterns of the North Atlantic Oscillation, seal populations declined from 1950 to 1972 and then gradually recovered from 1973 to 2000.

“It’s interesting to see how the abundance of animals tends to fluctuate in sync with the North Atlantic Oscillation,” Dr. Johnston said. “This suggests that climate has been an important factor in shaping populations.”