stockingfull wrote:Which came first, the elevated CO2 or the temp increase?
What's the reason for the astronomically high CO2 levels, never before seen on the planet, at this time? The correlation between that and the unprecedented (in the history of the planet) mining of carbon-based fuels is ... pure coincidence???
No coincidence. The CO2 in the atmosphere has risen as a result of man's carbon fuel oxidation. The problem is that the data is being misinterpreted.
The ice core data shows a near perfect, lockstep, proportional, correlation of co2 and temperature levels for the last 600,000 years. Then, in the last century, it shows a tremendous spike in co2 levels from 280ppm to 380ppm without a tracking rise in temperature. To be sure, the temps have risen, at a rate not unlike their historical data, but not at the same rate of increase as the co2.
Without a corresponding proportional increase in temperature level, Logic dictates that the perfect correlation of the last 600,000 years, in light of the recent co2 spike, demonstrates that atmospheric co2 was not the driver of temperature rises. If it were, the temperature levels on earth would be rising to levels 35% greater than now ( an average yearly temp around here in the seventies).
The opposing scientists have estimated that man's contribution to the recorded .5degC rise in temp in the last century is just 7% of that half degree rise (.035 deg C). There is possibly an anthropogenic effect but it is relatively small
The ice dore data suggests one of two things: either the science-is-settled crowd is 180 degrees wrong or, if they are right, and the co2 increases are the driver of temp increases, its just a matter of time before we are fried. We are waiting for the other shoe to drop and we won't be able to do anything about it.
IMO this is the greatest political red herring ever recorded in man's history. I would agree that man needs to be a good steward of the earth and manage his resources conservatively but the current hysteria is unfounded.
