Last Year was the Secord Warmest on Record in Modern History

In summary, NASA, NOAA, and an independent group called Berkeley Earth all confirm that global temperatures have been increasing since 1884, in line with mainstream scientific understanding of ongoing global warming. Despite this, there is still organized opposition and obstruction of strong emissions reductions policies, but the evidence is overwhelming and cannot be ignored.
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BillTre
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says NASA, NOAA and an independent group Berkeley Earth.
Science news article here with a nice gif of average temps going up since 1884.
 
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Earth sciences news on Phys.org
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This is no surprise and is in keeping with mainstream science based understanding of ongoing global warming. Yet climate science denial and organised opposition and obstruction of strong emissions reductions policies persists.
 
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User: Wow, that's really concerning. It's clear that climate change is a real issue and we need to take action to address it. It's great to see that multiple reputable sources are confirming the trend of increasing temperatures. Deniers can no longer ignore the overwhelming evidence.
 

1. What does it mean for a year to be the "second warmest on record"?

When a year is referred to as the "second warmest on record", it means that it was the second warmest year in terms of average global temperatures since modern record-keeping began. This is typically measured by combining data from various sources, such as land surface stations, satellite measurements, and ocean buoys.

2. How does this ranking compare to other years?

In this case, "second warmest on record" means that the year was the second warmest in modern history. This means that there have been other years in the past that were warmer, as well as years that were cooler. However, in recent years, there has been a trend of increasingly warm years, with the last five years being the warmest on record.

3. What factors contribute to a year being the second warmest on record?

The main factor that contributes to a year being the second warmest on record is the overall trend of global warming. This is primarily caused by the increase in greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which trap heat and cause the planet to warm. Other factors, such as natural climate variability and human activities, can also play a role in the year's overall temperature.

4. Is this warming trend expected to continue?

Yes, it is expected that the Earth will continue to warm in the coming years and decades. This is due to the continued increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the slow pace of reducing these emissions. However, the exact rate and extent of future warming will depend on various factors, such as the actions taken to reduce emissions and natural climate variability.

5. What are the potential impacts of this warming trend?

The warming trend has a variety of potential impacts, including more frequent and severe extreme weather events, such as heat waves, hurricanes, and droughts. It can also lead to rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, and disruptions to ecosystems and biodiversity. These impacts can have significant consequences for human societies, economies, and the environment.

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