Science

2010 – Tied For Warmest Year on Record

-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger

We have previously discussed, here, the data from NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies showing that 2010 as the warmest climate year on record. We now have confirmation from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). According to NOAA scientists, 2010 tied 2005 as the warmest year of the global surface temperature record, with record keeping beginning in 1880.

Also, Global Historical Climatology Network states that 2010 was the wettest year on record, in terms of global average precipitation.

The map below shows the change on a statewide basis:

The polar bear population is showing the effects of loss of habitat, i.e. sea ice. The southern Beaufort Sea area contains one of the most extensively studied polar bear populations on the planet. The survival rate of cubs has dropped and males are experiencing lower body weight. Data from this population helped lead the the U.S. declaring the polar bear a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The western Hudson Bay population has dropped from 1200 in 1987 to 950 individuals in 2004.

Of the 19 subpopulations of polar bears:

  • 8 are declining
  • 3 are stable
  • 1 is increasing
  • 7 have insufficient data

H/T: NOAA, Polar Bears International, IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group.

121 thoughts on “2010 – Tied For Warmest Year on Record”

  3. Wow! It is a musical extravaganza this morning! Swarthmore Mom, I love the Stormy song. One of my oldies but goodies.
    Nal, I don’t suppose that the Right will worry about the science that you have described here. It would make too much sense to actually worry about the destruction of our planet. They have much more important issues to worry about, like how are they going to get more tax give aways to the Rich.

  6. Great songs everybody … I opened two windows so I could listen and type.

    Bda … I trust your mom is doing well?

  12. It was cold in Florida. I guess bdaman needs to get out and travel in the summer.

  15. Because of the intentional misunderstanding of “global warming” the media have done a horrible job of explaining to people what the results of this climate change will be. Increased moisture in the atmosphere will lead to bigger storms, including huge snow storms – because a warmer climate will not eliminate winter all together. And, because climate is not weather, there will be no great switch were it is ALWAYS warmer than it used to be; there will still be cold days and years not hotter than last.

    One thing to remember is that the last great ice age in Europe was cause by climate warming. The warmer oceans stopped the gulf stream currents. Without the warming brought by the sea Europe froze.

  16. The British Met Office which compiles the global HADCRUT3 surface temperature record also reports that 2010 ties for warmest year, although their slightly different record names the tying year as 1998.
    One refreshing piece of news the other day was that the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia refused Texas’s request to stop the Environmental Protection Agency directly imposing greenhouse has emissions standards in the state. The EPA has the power to take this step because Texas has refused to draw up regulations in response to the EPA’s endangerment finding filed in 2009.

  17. Good morning, Smom. Cold(ish) and cloudy here. Looks like your rain is heading our way tonight and tomorrow though.

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