Satellite Record Reveals
By Willis Eschenbach, (Nov. 4, 2003)
Willis Eschenbach made an excellent analysis that shows that the global
surface temperature record is riddled with errors, and that it just
doesn't measure up to the quality of the satellite-measured temperature
data that has been compiled since 1979. There isn't much global
warming, and what of it exists is obviously not due to CO2
emissions, or else, according to the IPCC (intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change), the polar regions would be
showing the largest temperature increases over time. Instead, the
Arctic temperatures are showing only marginal increases, while the
Antarctic experiences a cooling trend.
A summary of
satellite-measured temperature-trend data produced by the NASA Global
Hydrology and Climate Center agrees with the conclusions reached by Willis
Eschenbach. It states that,
The lower tropospheric data are often cited as evidence against
global warming, because they have as yet failed to show any warming
trend when averaged over the entire Earth. The lower stratospheric data
show a significant cooling trend, which is consistent with ozone
depletion. In addition to the recent cooling, large temporary warming
perturbations may be seen in the data due to two major volcanic
eruptions: El Chichon in March 1982, and Mt. Pinatubo in June 1991.
It is obviously of interest to many individuals to know what the
temperatures are where they live at a given time and location, hence the
great popularity of the TV weather reports in spite of their inconsistent
predictions. However, the surface temperature record, although some
ineffective attempts to make allowances for its failings have been
implemented, consistently failed and still fails to provide accurate
information about global temperature trends. The surface temperature
record is not merely inaccurate, it is misleading.
One is left with the unavoidable conclusion that, as popular as local
thermometers may be, they are not everywhere, they often provide very
subjective or false information, and they simply do not and cannot measure
up to the accuracy and consistency of temperature-trend data compiled from
measurements made by satellites.
So, why do the climate alarmists insist on using a faulty and
flawed data base compiled with flawed, faulty and incomplete measurements
to draw a flawed and faulty conclusion and then try to justify that
conclusion with data derived from the same flawed measuring system that
led them down the garden path to begin with?
A respectable scientist uses only the tools best suited
for a task at hand and discards those not fit to be used because they are
proven to produce wrong information. With respect to determining global
temperature trends, satellite measurements are the best tool man devised
for the task. All other tools and the conclusions those lead some to make
are just not worth talking about.
Regardless of what the intentions may be, it will always be
deplorable to base science on propaganda and wishful thinking rather than
on facts. It appears that the climate alarmists formed an opinion in
search of facts that they have so far not been able to find because those
facts do not exist, and that they refuse to look at the satellite record
because it neither fits their ideology nor furthers their professional
careers and personal fortunes.
How much longer are the taxpayers willing to put up with
having their and their children's earnings potential put into hock to save
the globe from a non-existent threat over which nobody has much influence
even if it were to be real?
Gallery of Temperature Change Data (off-site)
This is the most comprehensive compendium of temperature graphs I
have seen. It quite nicely illustrates that the only constant of
climate change is constant change. The graphs cover records and
reconstructions of temperatures covering intervals ranging from 1980 -
2007 to 542 million years before the present to now. The gallery
shows ten graphs in all.
And, yes, there were times during the past 542 million years when it was
much hotter than it is now, but there were also times when it was much
colder. It is unavoidable to conclude that we will almost
certainly soon have another interval when it will be much colder than it
presently is. In fact, the current levelling-off of the global
average annual temperature trend (something that no self-respecting
climate alarmist dares to tell the public about) could well signify the
beginning of that cold period to come.