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The Truth Behind NASA’s 2018 Temperature Report: Busting Misconceptions
The Truth Behind NASA’s 2018 Temperature Report: Busting Misconceptions
Recently, NASA reported that 2018 was the 4th warmest year in the recorded history, according to their data. This fact contradicts several common misconceptions propagated by global warming deniers. Let's dive into the truth behind this report and debunk some of the widespread misunderstandings.
NASA and NOAA’s Consistent Data
One of the most common claims is that NASA adjusted data to maintain a certain CO2 warming narrative. However, this is not accurate. In fact, NASA and NOAA's data consistently show that 2018 was among the warmest years in recent history. For instance, the New York Times reported that 1995 was the warmest year on record according to British data, but the differences between 1990 and 1995 were within the margin of error. Similarly, NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) recorded 1995 and 1990 as the warmest years since 1866, with 1995 slightly warmer. This demonstrates that the differences in these records are minimal.
Understanding 2018 in Context
In 2018, NASA GISS ranked it as the 6th warmest year in 140 years of instrumental temperature records. It had previously been considered the 4th warmest year before 2019 and 2020 were added to the records. Despite the appearance of 2016 as the warmest year due to El Ni?o conditions, 2018 was actually warmer than every year before 2015. This places 2018 as a significant year in the warming trend.
Additionally, the report was adjusted, not to conceal data, but because the warming trend is a well-documented phenomenon. In a La Ni?a year, turbulent air currents over the ocean stir up ocean water, bringing colder water to the surface and pushing warmer water deeper into the ocean. This leads to surface water that is cooler, hence the lower ranking for 2018 compared to the previous record-holding years.
Co-Relationship Between CO2 and Heat
Another misconception is that there is no relationship between CO2 and heat. This is incorrect. The increase in greenhouse gases, such as CO2 and methane, directly contributes to the warming of the Earth. Despite the cooling of the upper atmosphere, which is a natural greenhouse effect, the lower atmosphere and surface temperatures are still increasing due to the buildup of these gases.
For example, the Earth’s surface and near-surface air temperatures continue to rise, while the upper atmosphere cools. This cooling is a result of the greenhouse effect, as the gases trap heat lower in the atmosphere. The claim that 1908 was the hottest year on record is also false, as it was actually one of the coldest years. The continued rise in temperatures over the past century further confirms the reality of man-made global warming.
The widespread acceptance of these misconceptions is alarming. It is crucial to understand the science behind global warming, as it has significant implications for our planet's future.ольз
Therefore, it is important to rely on credible sources such as NASA and NOAA when understanding the Earth's temperature trends. The warming trend is real, and it is a result of human activities, not a shift in natural patterns like El Ni?o or La Ni?a.