[Phys-l] NRC: "Surface Temperature Reconstructions for the Last 2, 000 Years"

[John Denker <jsd@av8n.com>]

I quote from a brand-new report, about 150 pages long:
  http://darwin.nap.edu/books/0309102251/html

> Figure S-1 shows a compilation of large-scale surface temperature reconstructions from different 
> research groups, each using its own methodology and selection of proxies, as well as the 
> instrumental record (beginning in 1856) of global mean surface temperature.

  http://darwin.nap.edu/openbook/0309102251/gifmid/2.gif

> It can be said with a high level of confidence that global mean surface temperature was higher
> during the last few decades of the 20th century than during any comparable period during the
> preceding four centuries. This statement is justified by the consistency of the evidence from a
> wide variety of geographically diverse proxies.  Less confidence can be placed in large-scale
> surface temperature reconstructions for the period from A.D. 900 to 1600. Presently available
> proxy evidence indicates that temperatures at many, but not all, individual locations were higher
> during the past 25 years than during any period of comparable length since A.D. 900.

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There is nothing in the committee's statement of task regarding possible
_causes_ of the observed phenomena ... and correspondingly virtually
nothing in the report.