The formula was changed with some just discovered variables a couple of years ago that knocked those years out of the top ten as hottest years. There was considerable discussion here at the time as to how the statistics were being manipulated.
Hence their conclusion that the top ten years was no statistical accident and that it points to EXTERNAL INFLUENCE......as in that data MANIPULATED.
Why have the scientific journals been taken over by political agendas? I wanted to be a Scientist growing up. These days I am glad I chose to be an Engineer instead.