“This means that the ‘pause’ in global warming has now lasted for about the same time as the previous period when temperatures rose, 1980 to 1996”
Wrong. Warmists have claimed temps. have been increasing (with temporary pauses or downswings) ever since the beginning of the industrial revolution.
The heat from CO2 is still being collected somewhere where it can’t be found, but once released will fry everyone. Mark my words.