I’ve been startled by the number of global warming naysayers in comment threads around the internet lately who have pointed to some colder weather this year to try to poke holes in established science. Yes, there was an unusual snow in Houston and New Orleans. But for global warming, we need to look at annual and decades-long data to get a comprehensive picture. And the BBC just reported this morning that 2008 ranks as the 9th hottest year in historical record. (more…)