The fact that the rate of current warming has been observed in recent history indicates that it is not at all unusual and that it is, therefore, likely to have occurred many times in the past. The statement that 1999 was the second warmest year on record in the United States behind only 1998 also lacks significance when put into a long-term perspective. Mr. Stevens reports that with the rising temperatures, the weather will become more variable and extreme, leading to more droughts, floods and wild temperature swings. These statements cannot be supported by any but shortsighted facts. Climate models that are used to project changes in the earth s temperatures into the future with increasing levels of greenhouse gases predict that the temperature of the lower atmosphere should be warming faster than the temperature near the surface.
Observations show just the opposite.
Mr. Stevens fails to mention this fact, for it means that the apocalyptic view of coming climate change as predicted by the climate models cannot be supported by the data. Mr. Stevens describes a world in turmoil due to increasing temperatures using only selected facts and a narrow field of view. Virtual Climate Alert draws upon the expertise of Greening Earth Society science advisors and is coordinated by New Hope Environmental Services of Charlottesville, Virginia.