Curry’s assertion without cting sources that Earth is now cooling doesn’t seem to be borne out by the actual data in NOAA’s global climate report for 2018 unless nitpicking is your game.
OK,. The global average temperature in 2018 fell just short of 1.0 degree celsius rise from an 1880-1900 average after the temperature in 2015-2017 exceeded 1.0 degree.
i contend that such minor variations are consistent with a globally warming trend and aren’t evidence that Earth is cooling. Curry draws a long bow when she says Earth is cooling.
here is how NOAA described Earh’s average temperature last year.
NOAA:
“During 2018, 11 of 12 monthly global land and ocean temperature departures from average ranked among the five warmest for their respective months, giving way to the fourth warmest year in NOAA's 139-year record.
“The years 2015–2017 each had a global temperature departure from average that was more than 1.0°C (1.8°F) above the 1880–1900 average, which is a period that is commonly used to represent the pre-industrial conditions.
” However, 2018 was just shy of reaching the 1.0°C (1.8°F) mark at 0.97°C (1.75°F).
“The year began with a La Niña episode present across the tropical Pacific Ocean, transitioning to ENSO-neutral by April 2018.
”2018 also marks the 42nd consecutive year (since 1977) with global land and ocean temperatures, at least nominally, above the 20th century average.
“During the 21st century, the global land and ocean temperature departure from average has reached new record highs five times (2005, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016), with three of those being set back-to-back.
“From 1880 to 1980, a new temperature record was set on average every 13 years; however, for the period 1981–2018, the frequency of a new record has increased on average to once every three years.
”Nine of the 10 warmest years (listed below) have occurred since 2005, with the last five years (2014–2018) ranking as the five warmest years on record.
” The year 1998 is the only year from the 20th century among the ten warmest years on record, currently tying with 2009 as the ninth warmest year on record.
”The yearly global land and ocean temperature has increased at an average rate of 0.07°C (0.13°F) per decade since 1880; however, the average rate of increase since 1981 (0.17°C / 0.31°F) is more than twice as great.”
