[Huntoholic]

For paleoclimates they measure an isotope of oxygen found in ice cores. The prevalence of that isotope is indicative of a corresponding temperature. The interesting thing is that as CO2 concentrations in ice cores rise so does the temperature as measured by the oxygen isotope. So we can see a direct relationship between CO2 levels and temperature increases and decreases over the last 800,000 years.

Today temperatures are measured with typical weather instrumentation, thermometers and satellite imagery. Global average temperatures today are the highest since modern records have been kept (the last 150 or so years). One degree F doesn't seem like a lot for any one particular area, but for a global average it is significant as the Earth usually does a pretty good job at keeping a balance. The thing concerning the majority of climate scientists is the trend doesn't appear to be abating. The computer models indicate if the current trend continues that by the end of this century we could see as much as a 7 degree F rise in temps (worst case scenario).

So when you measure isotope what do you use? What type of device or instrument?

Typical weather instruments have an error factor of what?

 

[The Naturalist]

So when you measure isotope what do you use? What type of device or instrument?

This explains it a lot better than I could. ;-)

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Paleoclimatology_OxygenBalance/

The instruments used are mass spectrometers and laser absorption.

 

[The Naturalist]

Typical weather instruments have an error factor of what?

I don't have an answer for you on this question. However, I think regardless of any error would be the consistency of the devices used.

For example; if a typical thermometer has a degree of error of .2 degrees F and measurements are taken twice a day for 30 days then the degree of error drops dramatically. Taken over a whole year the degree of error would almost be nonexistent. (Least ways if I remember my statistics correctly...its been a while :shock.

 

[wyogoob]

http://ecowatch.com/2014/02/12/deep-sea-impacts-bp-gulf-oil-spill/

http://www.redorbit.com/news/scienc...-lasting-from-deepwater-horizon-spill-092613/

Think before you speak bud... There will be lifelong impacts from that spill. There are still multiple articles every month on it.

I concur. The chemical dispersant used to break up the oil slick has the oil suspended in the mid-ocean level contributing to the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.

 

[redleg]

RainDance

200 years ago the American Indians believed they could change the weather by building a fire and dancing around it.
Today the people who believe that 'we have to pass this bill so we can see what's in it' and that ObamaCare 'would save American working Families $1.500 a year' believe that the rain dance does change the weather but you don't need to dance, just build the fire.
In the 70s these same alarmists believed American industry was causing Global Cooling by shading the planet. Their problems change but the solution is always STOP AMERICAN INDUSTRY OR WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE.