“All you are saying Oliver is that in 2007 it started cooling again. . Yes? . No? . . . . Phytoplankton productivity in the North Pacific ocean since 1900 and implications for absorption of anthropogenic CO2.

THE world's carbon budget has not been in steady state since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution1. At present, carbon dioxide released by anthropogenic activities adds about 71.2 gigatonnes (Gt)Cyr-1 to the atmosphere, of which about 2Gt Cyr-1 is thought to be sequestered in the oceans2. In the steady state, phytoplankton fix about 35¿50 Gt C yr-1, representing a significant component of the natural carbon cycle1. If ocean productivity were changing, these biological processes could have a significant influence on anthropogenic CO2 levels by drawing down the CO2 concentration in surface waters and increasing the concentration gradient across the air¿sea interface1,3,4. The question of productivity changes is unresolved, however2,5,6. Venrick et al.7 reported that phytoplankton chlorophyll concentrations had roughly doubled in the central North Pacific gyre between 1965 and 1985. Here we use historical records of Secchi depth data to investigate whether such dramatic changes in phytoplankton biomass have occurred throughout the North Pacific ocean during this century. We find that, although very minor changes may have occurred in this basin over the past 70 years, they are too small to have a significant effect on the rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. . Courtesy 'Nature' . . Lies, Damned lies and Statistics eh Oliver! . But I'm still thinking of having another small bet.”

“In terms of global temperatures 2007 was the eighth warmest year on record, exceeded by 1998, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2001. If you release 350bn tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere, the planet warms up. Stop looking for conspiracies and get real: this is happening.”

“"Further warming to record levels is likely once a moderate El Nino develops."

Wait a minute...Just a few years ago it was said by 'AWG expets' that man made global warming exceedes ANY natural climate change!.

Then in 1998 (the "Hottest year on record"... 'according to the warmers') was seized upon as proof of AGW, That is until 'deniers' pointed out that

1998 was caused by a strong El Nino event... after which the term 'Climate change' started to be used insted of 'global warming'.

We are now in an La Nina period, the cold year 2008 was explained with La nina?
The thing is, during the whole warming period 1977-1998 there were many El Ninos. If the cooling we see now is caused by La Ninas, then the warmth 1977-1998 was caused by El Ninos, and not CO2/AGW.
As many are aware, the PDO seems to control ENSO tendensies. And as many also knows, the AMO+PDO index is following solar activity¿

Ps.Charles, good to have you in on the 'bet' with me.”

“I have copied it for everyone Steve. . You couldn't make it up!

Last week, as Britain shivered in sub-zero temperatures, the Met Office predicted that 2009 would be one of ''the five warmest years on record''.

This statement entertained various US climate experts, such as Dr Roger Pielke Sr of Colorado University, who recalled how last September the Met Office forecast that this winter in the UK would be ''milder than average'', just before we enjoyed the coldest autumn and winter for decades.

Dr Pielke also recalled the Met Office's prediction two years ago that 2007 would be globally ''the warmest year on record'', beating the ''peak'' year of 1998 (see the Watts Up With That website). Even as they made that prediction, temperatures began their steepest plunge since they toppled off that 1998 highpoint, dropping by nearly 0.7C ¿ equivalent to the entire net warming of the 20th century.

The reason why US scientists take a particular interest in the forecasting skills of the UK Met Office is that, through its Hadley Centre, its temperature data are one of the four official sources on which the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change bases all those projections of global warming which have the Western world's politicians under such a spell.

The Met Office, which played a key part in setting up the IPCC, has long since abandoned any pretence that it is an impartial scientific body when it comes to promoting its favourite cause of man-made climate change.

As the Met Office's website boasts, its ''world-leading expertise'' enables it to provide ''an understanding of the future through risk analysis and long-range forecasting''. It stages seminars to equip ''professionals in Government and the public sector'' to ''dispel scepticism about climate change in your organisation''.

It is just a pity that our Met Office's comically consistent inability to predict weather even a few weeks ahead (let alone a century hence) is beginning to make it an international laughing stock.”

“This is worth a read

(paste after the three w's)

telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/4092475/More-hot-air-from-Met-Office.html”

“as temperatures warm the atmosphere so it warms the sea surface and rain clouds form to fall on land which results in overabundant vegetation growth and fresh air!”

“And I will match Ian Walsh's bet Editor. . You have my email address. . . Either way you will have a story much later in the year.”

“Remember !
When the cold year 2008 was explained with La nina?
The thing is, during the whole warming period 1977-1998 there was many El Ninos. If the cooling we see now is caused by La Ninas, then the warmth 1977-1998 was caused by El Ninos, and not CO2/AGW.

But as many are aware, the PDO seems to control ENSO tendensies. And as many also know, the AMO+PDO index is following solar activity¿”

“Professor Phil Jones said: "The fact that 2009, like 2008, will not break records does not mean that global warming has gone away."

Neither does it prove the theory that man is directly and exclusively responsible for climate change!”

“Do I detect a contradiction here.

"but forecasters predict 2009 could be one of the warmest years on record".

"The fact that 2009, like 2008, will not break records"

I would be willing to bet a token sum to charity (say £20) that 2009 will cooler than 2008).

WMN keep this until this time next year”