The Mystery of Global Warming's Missing Heat

NPR ^ | 3/19/08 | Richard Harris

[Dawnsblood]

Some 3,000 scientific robots that are plying the ocean have sent home a puzzling message. These diving instruments suggest that the oceans have not warmed up at all over the past four or five years. That could mean global warming has taken a breather. Or it could mean scientists aren't quite understanding what their robots are telling them.

This is puzzling in part because here on the surface of the Earth, the years since 2003 have been some of the hottest on record. But Josh Willis at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory says the oceans are what really matter when it comes to global warming.

In fact, 80 percent to 90 percent of global warming involves heating up ocean waters. They hold much more heat than the atmosphere can. So Willis has been studying the ocean with a fleet of robotic instruments called the Argo system. The buoys can dive 3,000 feet down and measure ocean temperature. Since the system was fully deployed in 2003, it has recorded no warming of the global oceans.

[Always Right]

This is puzzling in part because here on the surface of the Earth, the years since 2003 have been some of the hottest on record.

Actually the surface temperature has been declining, so it is not that puzzling at all.

[sharkhawk]

Or it could mean scientists aren't quite understanding what their robots are telling them.

Or maybe, just maybe the scientists don't fully understand climate at all.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

These diving instruments suggest that the oceans have not warmed up at all over the past four or five years. That could mean global warming has taken a breather. Or it could mean scientists aren't quite understanding what their robots are telling them.

Well, there is a third possibility. But why won't the writer put it on the paper?

It is possible that the oceans have not warmed up at all. But to speak such would be heresy in The Church of the Holy Global Warming.

[Balding_Eagle]

"There has been a very slight cooling, but not anything really significant," Willis says.

What? No information on just how 'slight' that cooling is?

I suspect it isn't slight at all, but rather a significant cooling, or they would have told us.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

That could mean global warming has taken a breather. Or it could mean scientists aren't quite understanding what their robots are telling them.

Or it could mean that the scientists are too committed to their theory to believe their observations.

Global warming has been a reality for more than 10,000 years. People had nothing to do with it and human civilization would probably never have developed without it. The frightening thing for some of us is that it looks like the natural warming cycle may be nearing the end.

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

I guess Gore has to apologize and give back the money he has made by his lies.

[Nailbiter]

LOL, thanks I needed a good laugh today

[caseinpoint]

“Or it could mean that the scientists are too committed to their theory to believe their observations.”

Exactly. They have a serious dilemma and are trying to be modern-day Procrustes.

[MNJohnnie]

Or it could mean that Global Warming is pure hype and hysteria manufacture to propagate a political agenda and fat Govt grants for “climatologists” and other “Scientists”

[HardStarboard]

The GW environazi's are in engaged in a valiant struggle to preserve the myth!!

the farther out on the limb they climb, the harder will be the fall.

[MNJohnnie]

It April 26th 2008. It is snowing right now here in Minneapolis MN.

[VOA]

bump

[Leisler]

/left think on

If data doesn't fit the theory, then the data is wrong.
If the people don't support the Revolutionary Leadership, then they're enemies.
Or typical, bitter white people under the opiates of religion with guns that must be registered.

/left think off.

[MNJohnnie]

It's April 26th 2008. It is snowing right now in Minneapolis Minnesota. Where do I file my class action lawsuit suing Al Gore for fraud?

[Straight Vermonter]

This is puzzling in part because here on the surface of the Earth, the years since 2003 have been some of the hottest on record.

NOAA has essentially admitted they have no idea what the temperature changes have been. They are implementing a new high tech temperature measuring network (PDF) to replace the old one. The old network is terribly flawed with equipment placed near or even directly over air conditioning units, blacktop, and bodies of water. All of these contribute to temperature bias to the point where it is really impossible to say with any accuracy what the temperature is.

[HardStarboard]

Gore's staff is currently looking for the addresses to mail back the Oscar and the Nobel Prize.

man that was a great dream I had last night...

[MNJohnnie]

Or maybe, just maybe the scientists don't fully understand climate at all.

BING BING BING! We have a winner!