THE EARTH is warmer than it was 60 years ago.

Mostly unreported is the warmer climate has, on balance, been great for humanity.

Increasing crop yields around the globe has helped the poorest stave off hunger.

Continued increases in greenhouse gases, other factors equal, will promote additional warming.

However, many processes affect climate.

CO2 concentration is absolutely not a thermostat for earth's temperature, especially since ocean heat content is more important than atmospheric heat content.

We know far less about the processes governing earth's climate than most climate practitioners would have you believe.

In no way is the science settled.

For example, we don't even know the optimum temperature of the earth's atmosphere.

We have no ability to meaningfully forecast future climate.

We can't even make weather forecasts a few weeks ahead or climate forecasts for a year or two ahead, let alone decades ahead.

"Consensus" has no role in science.

Consensus is a meeting of opinions, not scientific proof.

We could slow the rate of increase of CO2, primarily through the adoption of new-generation nuclear.

But if CO2 is so bad, why do market gardeners pump it into their glasshouses?

Dave Christian

Southampton