Warmest Temperatures In 4,000 Years? Not So Fast, Global Warming Alarmists

By James Taylor

The mainstream media are reporting in breathless fashion about a new paper claiming current temperatures are their warmest in 4,000 years. Already, however, objective scientists are reporting serious flaws in the paper. The media may wish to paint a picture of runaway global warming, but the science tells a completely different story.

Recently graduated Ph.D. student Shaun Marcott has published a paper claiming he compiled a proxy temperature reconstruction indicating current temperatures are their warmest in at least 4,000 years. Proxy temperature reconstructions require careful scrutiny because the proxies are not direct temperature measurements, but represent other data and factors that may or may not have a close correlation with past temperatures. Some proxies are better than others. Also, an agenda-driven researcher can easily cherry-pick certain anomalous proxies that support a predetermined conclusion while ignoring a much larger set of proxies that tell a different story.

Perhaps the most notorious of agenda-driven proxy reconstructions was published by global warming alarmist Michael Mann. As a young, relatively unknown recent Ph.D. graduate, Mann attained wealth, fame and adulation among global warming alarmists after assembling a proxy temperature reconstruction that he claimed showed global temperatures underwent a steady, roughly 1,000-year decline followed by a sharp rise during the 20th century. The media reported on the Mann hockey stick reconstruction as if it settled the global warming debate, but objective scientists pointed out several crucial flaws that invalidated Mann’s claims. Eventually, Congress commissioned distinguished statistician Edward Wegman to review and report on Mann’s methods and conclusions. After assembling a blue ribbon panel of experts to study Mann’s temperature reconstruction, Wegman reported the criticisms of Mann’s reconstruction were “valid and compelling.”

Read the rest at Forbes

42 Responses to Warmest Temperatures In 4,000 Years? Not So Fast, Global Warming Alarmists

  1. Neilio March 18, 2013 at 5:22 pm #

    You know, this might have sold better last year around this time because it was like 80F degrees. Today it is 18F degrees in the frigid wastelands of the Twin Cities! And, we had another couple of inches of snow this morning with a little more expected tonight. Where is the global warming when you need it! It’s almost Spring, for crying out loud. I WANT MY GLOBAL WARMING NOW!

  2. Rob N. Hood March 22, 2013 at 9:37 am #

    In my own country I am in a far off land.

    I am strong but have no power.

    I win all yet remain a loser.

    At break of day I say goodnight.

    When I lie down I have great fear of falling.

    – Francois Villon

    • NEILIO March 22, 2013 at 9:03 pm #

      poetry?
      I don’t care much for flowery prose.
      To me it is nothing but meaningless prattle.
      To some it is like the smell of a rose.
      To me it’s more like the a*s end of cattle.

      • NEILIO March 24, 2013 at 6:53 am #

        Sorry. I never really liked poetry, and I hope that does not offend those of you who do. I really have nothing against it, I just don’t derive any pleasure from it.
        Anyway, I fail to see what the poem posted by RNH has to do with “Warmest Temperatures In 4,000 Years? Not So Fast, Global Warming Alarmists” Although it is nice to see that RNH has credited the source this time.
        Maybe he is making a comment on the line “The media may wish to paint a picture of runaway global warming, but the science tells a completely different story.”
        I mean, poetry is a way of painting a picture with words. Right?
        It’s funny because the global warming alarmists like to take whatever the current conditions are and paint a picture that makes AGW the reason for whatever is happening.
        First they said that the world temps were going to sharply increase due to Man’s production of CO2. But now that the warming has not appeared they change the story to fit current conditions. It was said that snow would be a thing of the past, that our children would only see snow in pictures. But now that there is a lot of snow, in a lot of places, and Spring has come without any sign that Winter intends to retire soon. They now say that extreme weather is the new norm, and big snowstorms are a direct result of AGW.

  3. Rob N. Hood March 26, 2013 at 9:18 am #

    As of 2009, the poorest 47% of Americans owned an unbelievable zero percent of America’s wealth, because their debts exceeded their assets. Contrast that with the era before Reaganomics, when the poorest 47% of Americans owned 2.5% of America’s wealth.

    The nation’s wealth is now instead in the hands of the wealthiest Americans – the oligarchs. Right now, the 400 wealthiest Americans own as much wealth as 62% of our nation, which is the driving force behind America having the fourth highest level of wealth inequality in the world.

    • Dan McGrath April 1, 2013 at 5:41 pm #

      Well, 25% of the population is under 20. Do you expect 18-30-year old’s to possess a great deal of wealth? Yeah. Kids are poor. They have student loans and car payments to pay back. I guess everyone should just start out as rich owners of paid-off homes?

  4. NEILIO March 26, 2013 at 5:09 pm #

    Well maybe people should have been taught economics, and how to manage their money better in school, instead of being taught how to have high self esteem, and Johnny has two Mommies, and global warming, and environmental friendliness, and all that other blithering nonsense that passes for Liberal education nowadays. Does some responsibility not fall upon people who borrow money constantly, and continuously spend more than they earn? Give me a break!
    Do you really think that Socialism is going to fix this? Not a chance.

  5. Rob N. Hood March 27, 2013 at 7:46 am #

    It’s the only thing known to mankind that can. Thanks for asking. Free market capitalism has been given 200 years to get it right and has failed. Shall we give it another 200 years? Sure, says you.

    • NEILIO March 27, 2013 at 8:13 pm #

      “It’s the only thing known to mankind that can.”
      Where has it? Can you give an example of where socialism has worked? I can save you the trouble, it hasn’t worked anywhere it was tried. All systems have flaws. But Capitalism, as flawed as it is still works better than any other system. And people around the world know this to be true, and they want to destroy it. It is precisely why global warming was invented. It is the perfect thing to tear us down. How better to destroy success then by blaming a made up catastrophe-in-the-making on the very basis of our economic power?
      It’s hard to get through to a morosoph.

      • Rob N. Hood March 29, 2013 at 12:57 pm #

        Actually capitalism has been given much longer than that to perform as advertised, I was just being generous by confining it into the American experience. Morosoph? A real word?

  6. Rob N. Hood March 28, 2013 at 7:20 am #

    Wow thanks for saving me all that trouble and doing all that hard thinkin’ for me. Kind of socialistic of you, or perhaps it’s your authoritarian side leaking out again. You made me sad so I’m going to cry to my two mommies now.

    • NEILIO March 28, 2013 at 8:56 pm #

      Global warming is a hoax. That’s all I’m concerned about. In fact, that is what this website is dedicated to shed light upon. And just because you continuously try to change the subject, does not mean that you will be successful at doing so. You are a machinator for a socialist agenda and I often wonder why you frequent this website, and post the things you post. What possible outcome could you expect? You are the king of irrelevance here! Or do you just enjoy poking the hornet’s nest? Doing the same thing over, and over again, and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity. You are either paid to do it, or your irrationality quotient is off the charts. Which is it Rob?

  7. Rob N. Hood March 29, 2013 at 12:54 pm #

    I’ve told you already, several times before, in different ways. But here it goes again: Mostly I’m troll, and your personal troll. Why? Because it’s fun. The other part was to try to correct, or at least point out, the illogic and irrational things that get posted here from time to time. Ain’t rocket science (i.e. not really off the charts).

    • NEILIO March 29, 2013 at 4:34 pm #

      Why does it bother you if illogical, and irrational things get posted here? Has it ever occurred to you that these things only seem illogical, and irrational to you because your logic, and rationale might possibly be where the flaw(s) lies/lie? I’m willing to bet that you could never even imagine that as a possibility. Have you ever heard the saying that if you run into an a-hole, you just ran into an a-hole. But if you run into a-holes all day, you are the a-hole?

  8. Rob N. Hood March 30, 2013 at 10:59 am #

    Just because you think you are logical and rational doesn’t mean you are. I’ve pointed that out so many times that it undermines your ultimate point which is denial/skepticism of AGW (and yes, I know you disagree with that, but it has at least worn a chink in your so-called lock on logic). I haven’t necessarily endorsed AGW (as you well know) but I have shown the logic behind my stance/s (including skepticism of your skepticism) and the occasional, but regular, illogic of your various statements. Name calling, like patriotism, is perhps the last refuge of a scoundrel.

    • NEILIO March 30, 2013 at 5:11 pm #

      You assign a lot to me that I do not assign to myself. You completely misinterpret my intent, and make assumptions about how I see myself.
      I don’t believe in AGW. I think anyone who does is either misled, stupid, or lying. This is not about me. I voice my opinion out of concern. I have no other motivations.
      I am just a guy with a two year trade school diploma. I was not on the debate team. I don’t read poetry, or the “classics”. I love science but am terrible at math. I have a good sense of how things work in the physical world. And I have a good sense of humor, IMO. That’s it. There is nothing more to me. Just what is it about me that threatens you so?
      Are you afraid that I am too persuasive, and might convince others to my way of thinking? Or is it that you just can’t stand anyone that disagrees with your socialist screed?
      Oh, and about socialism. You did not answer my question about where it has worked. Or do you think you are the one who can make it work?

      • Bill April 1, 2013 at 7:36 am #

        Hi Neilio! I just tried to send you a supportive comment but it was not ‘put through’ to you for some reason.Just to say I’m with you on this crazy situation.”Keep the faith man!”I’ll follow your chat with interest,Bill.

  9. Bill. April 1, 2013 at 7:08 am #

    Neilio,I’m with you on this.I just love the way you stand up to that guy’s strange arguments.I too am extremely concerned at the way we are all being made to follow this crazy ‘science’,to the detriment of most normal Humans’ lives.I’m in England.We are living on a huge mass of fossil fuel ,(coal,oil and now gas from Fracking),and we’re being told that we must not use it to keep warm.Coal-fired power plants are being shut down.Useless windfarms are swamping our country.Nuclear stations are planned when Germany has banned them in favour of Coal.China and India are building and using more coal stations than we ever did.
    I’ve just read the letter sent to the UN,signed by TOPscientists,which points out the truth of the situation.Sadly ,I can’t see it getting any publicity in this current era.
    I could go on butwon’t.Suffice it to say “keep the faith” sanity will prevail–I just hope I don’t freeze before I live to see it!
    Stay safe,Bill.

    • NEILIO April 1, 2013 at 8:32 pm #

      Hey Bill. Thanks. Your comment was posted after Dan approved it. He checks messages for swear words, personal attacks, and insults before they get posted. Sometimes it can take a while because Dan wears a lot of hats, has his fingers in many pots, and keeps his plate rather full. But I’m glad you got through.
      I just saw a story today about the weather over there. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/9963649/Coldest-Easter-on-record.html
      Here in Minnesota, (I live in St Paul), it’s been a pretty cold, and long winter. Though the forecast is saying that we will get up to 50F (10C) by Wednesday. We have had a good bit of snow this year, and a lot of it is still here! Hopefully not too much longer. Hopefully you’ll get a Spring warm up soon too.

      • Bill April 4, 2013 at 4:25 pm #

        Just read your ‘body count’ entry.Well done!
        (R.N.Hood won’t alter his views though,I’m thinking).
        My issue is still only with the Man-made Global Warming thing.It really infuriates me that the UN and all main Politicians are now just ignoring the absolute new evidence that:
        a),there is no warming and
        b),that CO2 does not harm the earth and life but actually BENEFITS IT!!
        aaaagh! Keep it up Neilio!
        Bill.

  10. Rob N. Hood April 1, 2013 at 7:26 am #

    Wow- not about you eh? I never said or implied that it “all” was. But if the shoe fits…

    Europe and Scandinavia have many examples of successful socialism- as do probably many smaller countries such as in the Caribbean, for example, that I may not be fully aware of. You know all about the Scandinavian successes for sure, or refuse to acknowledge that example, which is simply standard procedure for your type. Even America for a short time (and still is in some ways) shown success at socializing various things, although all those things have been and remain under constant attack and sabotage (defunding etc) by the Right. And even with all that ill will some of this things (e.g., SS, public education, Medicare) remain vastly popular and viable with little to no negative impact upon our society, in fact they actually save money in some cases and reduce what would be worse outcomes for society as a whole. But I realize that is all alien mumbo jumbo to you and/or typical commie BS, but I am directly answering your question, as I always do. BTW I was not on any “debate team ” either although eight one of could have been in HS if we had wanted to. Nor do I read or necessarily like poetry. But I do have a penchant for some but not all the “classics” in literature. I find Shakespeare to be difficult reading for some reason although I wish I didn’t, it is great stuff.

  11. NEILIO April 1, 2013 at 11:53 am #

    Scandinavia is not a country. The region referred to as Scandinavia is Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. They all have a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. These are not socialist countries. They have some socialist policies, but none have any pure form of socialism. And it seems to me, from what I have just read, that the socialist policies they do have, i.e. unemployment insurance, and high minimum wages, only work because the capitalism there is extremely successful. The govt. does not own the means of production in these countries and therefore can not be used as an example of socialism working. All the examples you give are capitalist countries with some socialist policies mixed in. These are not examples of socialism working.
    And, just look how well those socialist policies are working for Greece, Spain, ect.

  12. Rob N. Hood April 1, 2013 at 12:17 pm #

    Wow thanks for the lesson on Scandinavia. Who knew? Back to adult talk now: There are no strict demarcations between types of real-life governing processes anywhere anymore. China, Nazi Germany and Russia are the main ones that did, but no longer, fit that kind of strict description That is more of a black-and-white thinking mistake on your part. For example, you could call the US a Representative Republic if you wanted to and what would that prove? And we have a mixture of capitalism and socialism and always have. Same is true with all the socialist countries that I can think of. Your criterion of “government owned means of production” is an interesting one but again the only instances of this that I know of are totalitarian ones (fascist, Nazi, and communist). Another example is the fact that there is now no strictly communist countries left- they are all involved in capitalism in one sense or another, and they continue to evolve in that direction. Another example to refute your nice sounding rhetoric is the UK- also a monarchy, and a socialist capitalist democracy.

    And- You forgot to tell me that Europe is not a country.

    • NEILIO April 1, 2013 at 3:23 pm #

      So where does that leave us with the AGW debate? I still think AGW is a lie. And it would still be a lie if the US became a completely socialist state. It does not matter that much to me how things are done in the rest of the world. What I am concerned about, and I think everyone should be concerned about, is the rest of the world dictating what we do. They can all take a leap at a rolling donut.

  13. Dan McGrath April 1, 2013 at 5:44 pm #

    When the tyrannical socialists take over, they won’t have to lie about global warming anymore. They’ll just say, “we fixed it. Now get to work and give us all your money. We’ll feed you what we like, when we like. Praise us for taking care of you. Suckers.”

    • NEILIO April 1, 2013 at 8:08 pm #

      Yes, and our friend RNH really believes that he will be one of the elites who get to plan our lives for us. I think he’s in for a surprise if it ever happens.

  14. Rob N. Hood April 2, 2013 at 7:09 am #

    It must be comforting to you both to know that the tyranny you fear is not happening here (maybe with the help of sites like these?!). However the tyranny of unfettered capitalism is here and will last until it completely implodes. Very comforting indeed. Until then your faux victimhood is playing out quite well, so far. And no I won’t be an elite ever. Too old and too tired. I never wanted to be one anyway. Just a regular respected hard working citizen who plays by the rules and is dealt with fairly. We used to have that modest dream for all, but since the 80’s it has become a pipe dream instead. It didn’t have to be this way, that is what is so sad.

    • NEILIO April 2, 2013 at 6:16 pm #

      The tyranny of unfettered capitalism? Sorry RNH, but that is an oxymoron. Try looking up the definitions of those words in a dictionary. My God man! Capitalism is the very essence of liberty and freedom. In my view any imposed limit to capitalism is tyranny.

  15. Rob N. Hood April 3, 2013 at 6:58 am #

    Your one dimensional mind is not an oxymoron. It is quite real unfortunately and causes you to brain fart constantly. A deep thinker you are not.

    • NEILIO April 3, 2013 at 9:05 pm #

      ” Just a regular respected hard working citizen who plays by the rules and is dealt with fairly.” -RNH
      So you mean like these people?

      Communist Body Count: 149,469,610
      :Rank
      :Country
      1
      People’s Republic of China
      Body Count: 73,237,000
      1949-Present (57+ years and counting)
      R.J. Rummel originally estimated China’s body count between between the years of 1949-1987 to be 35,236,000 (Rummel 1994). This excluded 38,000,000 million that died of famine during the Great Leap Forward. After the release of Mao: The Unknown Story, Rummel became convinced that the Chinese government was directly responsible for the famine, thus increasing his original estimate by 38,000,000 (Rummel 2005). 1,000 was added for Tienanmen Square in 1989 (Courtois 1999).
      2
      USSR Flag Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
      Body Count: 58,627,000
      1922-1991 (69 years)
      The body count only covers the years 1923-1987 (Rummel 1996).
      3
      Russia Flag Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic
      Body Count: 3,284,000
      1918-1922 (4 years)
      This body count does not include the 6,210,000 killed in the civil war (Rummel 1996).
      4
      North Korea Flag Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
      Body Count: 3,163,000
      1948-Present (58+ years and counting)
      1,663,000 is attributed between 1948-1987 excluding the Korean War (Rummel 1994). 2,500,000 is the mid-estimate for those who starved to death between 1995-1998 (U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea 2006).
      5
      Cambodia Flag Cambodia
      Body Count: 2,627,000
      1975-1987 (12 years)
      The body count estimate is complete (Rummel 1994). The official country name was Democratic Kampuchea during Pol Pot’s reign and then known as People’s Republic of Kampuchea afterwards.
      6
      Afghanistan Flag Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
      Body Count: 1,750,000
      1978-1992 (14 years)
      The body count estimate is complete (Courtois 1999).
      7
      Vietnam Flag Vietnam
      Body Count: 1,670,000
      1975-Present (30+ years and counting)
      The body count covers the years 1945-1987 for Vietnam/North Vietnam and excludes 1,062,000 from the Vietnam War (Rummel 1994).
      8
      Ethiopia Flag People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
      Body Count: 1,343,610
      1974-1991 (17 years)
      The body count includes 10,000 political assasinations during 1977-1978, 1,000 children killed in 1977, 110 massacred in an Orthodox church in 1975, 80,000 during the civil war between 1978-1980, 250,000 that died in 1982 through Transit Camps, and 2,500 killed in a bombing raid (Courtois 1999). Another 1,000,000 is added for the famine during 1984-1985 (BBC News 2000).
      9
      Yugoslavia Flag Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
      Body Count: 1,072,000
      1945-1992 (47 years)
      The body count only covers the years 1945-1992 excluding 100,000 from the Tito Partisans between 1941-1944 (Rummel 1994).
      10
      Chinese Soviet Republic Flag Chinese Soviet Republic
      Body Count: 700,000
      1931-1934 (3 years)
      The body count only includes the Jiangxi and Fujian provinces (Chang 2005). Although Mozambique has 700,000 to its name, the Chinese Soviet Republic produced more bodies in a shorter time period and the estimate is low.

      (Edited length. I think the point is clear enough. -Neilio)

  16. Rob N. Hood April 4, 2013 at 7:03 am #

    You were born in the wrong era. You should catch up and focus your paranoia on Muslims like everyone else.

    • NEILIO April 4, 2013 at 6:07 pm #

      Really? No comment on the MILLIONS of people killed by communist, and socialist regimes? The muslim extremists are pikers compared to that.
      And knowingly or not this is what you advocate.

      • NEILIO April 5, 2013 at 5:59 am #

        BTW. How is looking at facts, in hindsight, being paranoid?

  17. Rob N. Hood April 5, 2013 at 6:59 am #

    Past vs. present. Communist vs. “socialist”. How many people has Christianity killed? Capitalist countries?, especially in the last decade or so? Vietnam, etc. And this is not a pissing contest- there are BAD guys on both ends of the spectrum, and many in between too. Also, I am not advocating you or anyone be paranoid about Muslims, of course, but it’s at least the current boogieman adopted by the Right, since the Cold War ENDED, and Communism crumbled along with it. And it conveniently came at an appropriate time to replace the out-moded and dead war on Communism- imagine that! You are a throw-back, a remnant of a generation or more of communist propaganda. It makes sense I guess, these things effect how people think, thus the usefulness of propaganda. It’s humorous actually, but sad too. Use the brain God gave you.

    • NEILIO April 5, 2013 at 7:15 pm #

      “How many people has Christianity killed? Capitalist countries?” RNH
      Good question, though we’re not talking about wars. We’re talking about killing your own citizens by rounding them up and killing them, or starving them to death.

  18. Rob N. Hood April 5, 2013 at 12:11 pm #

    Edit: capitalist propaganda, not “communist propaganda”

  19. Rob N. Hood April 6, 2013 at 10:50 am #

    So that makes a difference to people being killed? Don’t think so. I acknowledge your point. But it’s splitting hairs to a degree. Be that as it may, those internal commie deaths you so lovingly list are a bit dated now. Who’s done the most killing most recently, might be the more relevant question. But I am not and do not dismiss any evil done by anyone. Here’s another one: who started both world wars, commies or non-commies? Non.

    • NEILIO April 6, 2013 at 8:04 pm #

      Ok, so, there is no difference in your mind between killing people on the other side in a war, and killing your own people just because you can?
      Um…. Really?
      Personally I would much rather die fighting than be killed by my government for, let’s say for example, not believing in AGW, or voting Republican. Or starved to death by an inefficient government who has allocated resources away from a certain areas and deemed an acceptable loss.
      One is not the same as the other.
      And as for relevance, I think it is very relevant because it is the track record of socialist/communist regimes. You can’t ignore that and think that you can make it work. They thought they could make it work too.

  20. Rob N. Hood April 7, 2013 at 9:06 am #

    Don’t think I ignored it at all. And I’m not a communist and your list above is just that, hardly includes “socialist” “regimes.” Side step my points all you want.

    • NEILIO April 7, 2013 at 5:11 pm #

      http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_socialism_and_communism
      “Both socialism and communism are based on the principle that the goods and services produced in an economy should be owned publicly, and controlled and planned by a centralized organization. Socialism says that the distribution should take place according to the amount of an individual’s production efforts, whilst communism asserts that that goods and services should be distributed among the populace according to individuals’ needs.”

      Not much of a distinction there. The problem I see is who determines an individuals production efforts, or an individuals needs? In either case it is not the individual. And I say *UCK THAT!

  21. Rob N. Hood April 8, 2013 at 6:53 am #

    Simple is as simple does.

    • NEILIO April 8, 2013 at 12:14 pm #

      Oh, I’m not complicated at all. Remember, I am the king of black and white thinking.
      Take AGW for example. I looked at evidence, and decided it was all BS. I spent no time at all on the fence. I hopped it in a single bound.

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