How long do we need to read of climate conspiracy theories? Miami is planning a series of water pumps (new nickname: The New Venice?). The Navy is re-engineering harbors. Even Exxon has a new business plan dealing with climate change.
Yet, Malcolm Sherman, in his letter ("Models don't show climate emergency," July 16) informs us that all is well, nothing to see here, move right along. He says 1998 was the last record year, and that there's nothing much happening since then.
According to NASA, 2010 and 2005 were in a dead heat for warmest on record, followed quite closely by 1998. Also, that "Global surface temperature in 2012 was +0.56°C (1°F) warmer than the 1951-1980 base period average, despite much of the year being affected by a strong La Nina. Global temperature thus continues at a high level that is sufficient to cause a substantial increase in the frequency of extreme warm anomalies." Also, that "the 10 warmest years in the record all occurred since 1998."
Turns out that the average five-year period hasn't changed that much, but that is due to cooling effects of the Pacific (La Nina).
People like Mr. Sherman don't see the rapid rise in temperature in Antarctica, the carbon levels never before seen, the ocean levels getting higher. They trot out meteorologists once in awhile. Try a climatologist next time; meteorologists deal in weather, climatologists deal in climate.
It's time we held these people to be morally responsible for their untrustworthy comments.
Jonathan Lloyd
Valley Falls