The Climate Change article, “There was no pause”, delivers fatal empirical data to any quasi-scientific assessment concluding global warming has paused, or slowed. Local, even global events have changed temperature variations, but any such changes are only temporary. When Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, global temperature cooled 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) in the years 1991–93. Ozone depletion rose substantially. “At the same time, the temperature in the stratosphere rose to several degrees higher than normal, due to absorption of radiation” (Self, Zhao, Holasek, & King, 1999).
Such bumps are high magnitude, and fast rate events, but are transient, as presented in this well researched article. Ample data cited correctly disproves any theories attempting to dispel the scientific communities’ consensus concluding global warming not only continues long term, but most importantly, the rate at which warming caused by human activities alarms scientists. As the Earth’s last ice age ended, for example, temperatures rose between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius. This range is that which scientists predict is likely with our current warming trend. Again, it is the speed of change validating concern. What took 20,000 years for the ice age’s end, will happen in decades now. (Mulkern, 2013)
Some sections offer little validating support, such as the “harassment” of the Karl et al. 2015 NOAA report by the US House Science Committee and it’s subpoena demand for e-mails would benefit from further relevance explanation. The section explaining scientific process adds little value to the article’s core thesis.
Well supported, the article accurately, authoritatively and firmly concludes no “hiatus” exists in our current accelerated global warming.
- Mulkern, A. C. (2013, August 2). Today’s Climate Change Is Faster Than the Last 65 Million Years. Scientific American. Reprinted from Climatewire with permission from Environment Energy Publishing, LLC. Retrieved from http://www.eenews.net
- Self, S., Zhao, J.-X., Holasek, R. E., & King, R. C. (1999). The Atmospheric Impact of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo Eruption. USGS.gov. PHIVOLCS | University of Washington Press | U.S.Geological Survey. Retrieved July 25, 2014 from https:/pubs.usgs.gov/pinatubo/self/
