Forget That 2014 Was the Warmest Year on Record

Last week, climate scientists issued reports that showed 2014 was the warmest year on planet Earth since temperatures have been recorded. The news has made headlines. But Andrew Revkin, The New York Times writer for the Dot Earth blog, says that's not really what's important.

What really matters, he says, is that 19 of the warmest years have been in last 20 years. And since climate change is a long-term trend, it's important to look at the big picture and not the year-to-year records that make the biggest news. Revkin discusses the science behind the data, and what (if any) impact the news will have on energy policy.

NOAA just fixed page: "*19* of 20 warmest years on record have occurred in past 20 years." / attn @brianlehrer http://t.co/j5EoP0VvbI

— Andy Revkin (@Revkin) January 20, 2015

Most important is this: @BrianLehrer "20 warmest years in historical record have all occurred in past 20 years." http://t.co/j5EoP0VvbI

— Andy Revkin (@Revkin) January 20, 2015

"One of the challenges of climate change is that it's a long-term trend." And yet we focus on records and year-to-year measurements @Revkin

— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) January 20, 2015

Best climate focus is long term. "Records" distract. See @davidappell http://t.co/Fsnkgi2rYF re: @BrianLehrer pic.twitter.com/NkmcTWJm8l

— Andy Revkin (@Revkin) January 20, 2015