Who says it is warming catastrophically? (Ahem, Al says it is) Humans have only been trying to measure the temperature fairly consistently since about 1880, during which time we think the world may have warmed by about +0.6 °C ± 0.2 °C. As we've already pointed out, the estimate of warming is less than the error margin on our ability to take the Earth's temperature, generally given as 14 °C ± 0.7 °C for the average 1961-1990 while the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) suggest 13.9 °C for their average 1880-2004. We are pretty sure it was cold before the 1880 commencement of record and we would probably not handle the situation too well if such conditions returned but there has been no demonstrable catastrophic warming while people have been trying to measure the planet's temperature. If we have really been measuring a warming episode as we think we have, then setting new records for "hottest ever in recorded history" should happen just about every year -- although half a degree over a century is hardly something to write home about -- so there's really nothing exciting about scoring the highest number when looking at such a short history.

We are witnessing the catastrophe pimping of what is a naturally occuring temperature fluctuation, also, as I have pointed out in previous posts, the Sun's output is increasing, resulting in the massive melting of Mars' polar ice cap and detectable warming on Triton and Pluto as well. The reason Al's bullshit sells is because we are a society that can't see beyond the ends of our own noses and think that history began the day we were spat from the womb. That, and Hollywood is bankrolling it as well...that and Al needs to feel relevant...that and....