Recently, I wrote about the uncertainties of climate change... global warming specifically.
If you didn't read that post, here is the crux of the issue. Over the course of millions of years, the earth's average temperature has gone through warming and cooling variations in a range of about 10° C. (12° - 22° C). Current estimates are 14° - 15° C and projections are for a 2° - 5° increase; the higher range being considerably less likely in the near future.
The following chart from Dr. Christopher R. Scotese shows the trend ending at the current estimated average temperature of earth (arrow is pointing to it if you can't read the chart).
It may interest you to know that California has passed climate control legislation and is suing automobile manufacturers for having products that produce carbon dioxide and cause global warming.
I see a couple of points:
- We are presently at the lower end of the temperature range
- Change has happened quickly in the past without the aid of automobiles
Which leads me to conclude that while California may be politically correct, it probably is not factually correct. Of course, the retort to that is "So what?" And I have to admit that is a good retort when it comes to litigation.