2017 is so unexpectedly warm it is freaking out climate scientists

[Binkie The Clown]

Full text at Think Progress

Normally, the hottest years on record occur when the underlying human-caused global warming trend gets a temporary boost from an El Niño’s enhanced warming in the tropical Pacific.

So it’s been a surprise to climate scientists that 2017 has been so remarkably warm — because the last El Niño ended a year ago. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported Tuesday that the first half of 2017 was the second-warmest January-June on record for Earth, topped only by 2016, which was boosted by one of the biggest El Niños on record.

“As if it wasn’t shocking enough to see three consecutive record-breaking years, in 2014, 2015, and 2016, for the first time on record,” leading climatologist Michael Mann wrote in an email to ThinkProgress, “we’re now seeing near-record temperatures even in the absence of the El Nino ‘assist’ that the previous record year benefited from.”

[Control-Z]

1. I can't even respond to this

with something of value.

[Neema]

2. Having just finished watching Chasing Coral, this depresses me even more than

it would normally. I wonder if we're going to lose everything in my lifetime.

[angstlessk]

3. Since trump became 'president' for the first time in my life

I'm glad I'm old...I hope not to see the destruction of the earth!

[WinkyDink]

4. I don't wish my life away (I'm 67), but I share your sentiment.