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Metaphors & SoundbitesSkepticism & CredibilityRebuttals - specifc April 15 was cooler than Apr 1. So spring is a hoax?
Metaphors & SoundbitesSkepticism & CredibilityRebuttals - specifc April 15 was cooler than Apr 1. So spring is a hoax?April 15 was cooler than Apr 1. So spring is a hoax? Featured
Claiming that 'Earth isn't warming, because 2008 was cooler than 1998' is like saying 'Spring isn't happening, because April 15th was cooler than April 1!' To see the long term trend, you have to look at all the data.
Notes: Due to cyclical El Nino/La Nina effects, 1998 was unusually warm and 2008 unusually cool. Short-term weather variations often mask long-term trends. To discern the long-term trend, you have to look at all the data. Selecting two unusual years and ignoring the rest is a classic example of the technique of deception known as "cherry picking."
For a look at all the data in recent decades, which shows an unmistakable warming, and how deniers rely on "cherry picking" see Skeptical Science for more details.
For a funny, extended version of this metaphor, check out this April Fools Day spoof at RealClimate.org, "Doubts About the Advent of Spring."
Bite Source: Tom Smerling
Image Source: You can download Dr. Katharine Hayhoe's slideshow, "What is happening to our world, and what can we do about it? as a pdf, and hear her audio narration of the 3/9/10 presentation at Republicans for Environmental Protection. Dr. Hayhoe's terrific scientific slides for general audiences strip away all the clutter, so the key point jumps out at you.
Rating
7 votes
Com (2)
byBrian Day
July 7, 2011
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Excellent
Owner's reply
Thanks Brian, for taking the time to comment. I hope you'll "take a shot" at rating some of the new and unrated bites (see p. 3 and pages 7-10) in all bites. If we can get enough ratings, the best bites will migrate to the top of the list, and be easier to find. Any other suggestions you may have area very welcome -- use Forums, or "Contact Us."
byBrian Ettling
October 22, 2011
I really liked the information in this bite. I do plan on using it. However, I could not connect up with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, "What is happening to our world, and what can we do about it?" at the bottom of the article. Yes, I will google this source. On the other hand, just wanted to pass along that I could not access her article through this post. Bottom line though: thanks for posting this bite.
Owner's reply
Thanks for flagging this, Brian. It's now fixed.