Earthed

What is the normal operating temperature of the planet supposed to be?

Without unbiased scientific evidence I'm trying really hard to give the global warming (man is killing the planet) fanatics the benefit of the doubt). So, can someone tell me what temperature God intended the earth to maintain? Take all the time you need, i'll wait...

Public Comments

1. I want to know that too....what is that convenient zero threshold measured against. You have to admit it sure makes for a pretty chart.
2. its not an intended temperature. ecosystems will adapt if given enough time. the problem is we are changing the climate to fast for these ecosystems to adapt. you are also assuming that a warmer earth will be better for agriculture, any warming will cause a drop off in food production because higher temperatures lead to lower levels of photosynthesis.
3. There is no normal operating temperature. Average the last 1,000 years, it's a bit warmer than normal. Average the last 10,000 years, we're a little on the cool side. Average the last 100,000 years, these are the dog days of summer. Average the last 100,000,000 years, the planet is very cool today.
4. No time needed. The answer is simple.
   
   
   
   The temperature that nature sets. Just look at the DATA.
   
   
   
   We were in a relatively stable period of climate until we messed it up:
   
   
   
   http://www.globalwarmingart.com/wiki/Image:Holocene_Temperature_Variations_Rev_png
   
   
   
   And here's how we're messing it up:
   
   
   
   http://www.globalwarmingart.com/wiki/Image:Climate_Change_Attribution.png
   
   
   
   If we keep on doing that, we'll have big problems:
   
   
   
   http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSL052735320070407
   
   http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/ar4-wg2.htm
   
   
   
   "If the Earth came with an operating manual, the chapter on climate might begin with a caveat that the system has been adjusted at the factory for optimum comfort, so don't touch the dials."
5. 19-27 degrees celsius.
6. There is no 'normal operating temperature'. As long as the climate remains relatively stable, species on Earth can adapt to slow, long-term temperature changes.
   
   
   
   When the climate changes rapidly as is currently the case, that's when species cannot adapt rapidly enough and it causes problems.
7. There is no one perfect temperature for the whole globe, because the globe contains many different climates.
   
   
   
   There is, however, one perfect CLIMATE for the whole globe: one in which the net of all anthropogenic forcings is zero.
   
   
   
   The current net of all anthropogenic forcings is about +1.6 Watts per square meter. And rising.