The last (most recent) Ice Age hasn't ended yet as there's still ice at the
> poles!  A geologist tells me that it's normal for the poles to be ice-free
> for a while between ice ages.


Definitions matter here. We are between ice ages and it is called the
Holocene Period. But we do get "mini ice ages" which are really cold
periods in this warm period. The most recent ice free Arctic that came
close was at the turn of the 19th century. Truth is, Antarctica is the real
harbinger of global weather, not the Arctic.

There is so much we do not know about climate that the current discussion
is more like a bunch of kids trying to hit a pinata. Just consider the
variables in climate.We have no idea what they all are and even then we
have little idea of their influence. There are wonderful discussions about
the sun on Wattsupwiththat with very good science that take opposite sides
and are persuasive.

Also, the recent hiatus in hurricanes was due to warmth! We have had a
spell of El Ninos and are now in a La Nina. It is the interaction between
warmth and cold that creates weather. So, were I a proponent of "global
warming" I would have pointed to the decrease in storms as proof, not the
recent increase.(which is just like the 1950's).

I was on the global warming side until I did my homework. The issue is not
global warming or climate change since both are happening and always will
so the terms are meaningless.. The issue is if we are totally, somewhat,
partially or barely responsible for any of it or are we just a very minor
player on the great stage.

That does not stop us from acting responsibly, but it should stop us from
acting irresponsibly to something over which we have no control, since it
is natural.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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