DECEMBER 18, 2008

The chart below is one we have seen countless times if one has followed the ravings of James Hansen: Man of Science. The problem with the chart are many, not least of which is the nature of the data and how it was gathered over the years; where was it gathered from; what were the different measuring methods used, etc. The global cooling between 1940 and 1980 is not helpful either.  In theory, these data collecting issues have had adjustments made to rationalize the data. That begs the question, of course, because these adjustments too need to be scientifically examined. Having said that, the earth has been coming out of a little ice age for 300 years, so the trend of higher temperature is consistent with that. The real question, however, is "what is the operational description of the hypothesis which which states that this graph is a function of man made activities and where is the empirical predictive evidence that demonstrates this hypothesis is accurate"? I have contended that there has never been one because it does not exist. The reason man made ("anthropogenic") global warming is a "content free" or a logically meaningless concept is that often the alarmist scientists have not been able to set up experiments which at least have the potential to be disproved or "falsified". When predictions have been made that have proven "false", the alarmists redefine the problem, the theory and/or the data. Hansen in particular engages in this activity. In the sphere of science, it has been difficult to even classify Anthropogenic Global Warming as wrong, as it does not even rise to that standard among its supporters. It is meaningless. Its meaninglessness derives from the fact that regardless of the evidence, supporters of AGW claim it supports their view. A growing body of "falsifiable" experiments with "operational definitions" have been established by many scientists who themselves have become alarmed over the politicization of this supposed scientific issue. The Senate Minority Report which I have referenced earlier this week highlight some of these.

Here’s the trend as the Goddard Institute has charted it: