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Discussion (11)
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Spurious Correlations
Correlation is not causation: thousands of charts of real data showing actual correlations between ridiculous variables.
tylervigen.com
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But there are graphs so it must be science. For example, in the Vostock ice core samples, the link between temperature and CO2 is so strong that CO2 levels rise 700-800 years after temperatures rise.
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Vostok Antarctic Core Ice Study shows that if you divide up the last 10,000 years into 200 year pieces, 1 out of 6 have a 4 degree temperature change.
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Yes, the problem is the general public doesn't know what "logarithmic" means. Probably most have not had to plot a logarithmic function on a graphic calculator, on paper, or by some program. People have heard the term "exponential", which has been applied to CO2 and global warming in the past. But it seems humans tend to think linearly more naturally. So when this material is put out to alarm people, they think each unit of CO2 directly is linked to an equal part of Climate Change chaos. This is a difficult hurdle to overcome in the debate.
I noticed the CO2 correlation some time ago as well. Perhaps change the messaging to something like: the instant effect of warming decreases with each additional contribution of CO2 decreases. The inverse of exponential.
This type of language might get through to people.
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Another thing to consider is the negative feedback loop provided by plant life. As the concentration of CO2 rises, plants accelerate growth and use more CO2, converting it into oxygen, something I think we all agree is a darn good thing. Therefore, the rise in CO2 concentration is mitgated by plant growth, which means more kale for everyone . . .
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