Late 20th Century Warmed within Natural Limits: Evidence from Gaussian Distributions

Abstract

An examination of long-term historic temperature records shows that they conform closely to a Normal frequency distribution curve. The frequency of high temperatures has remained the same both before and after the advent of anthropogenic CO₂ in the mid 19th century. The present high temperatures are therefore in all probability another warm temperature cycle which is confirmed by a fall in 2007 and 2008 annual temperatures. This paper also describes how frequency distribution can be employed for monitoring whether climate change is occurring or there is a continuing cycle of high and low temperatures