Correlation is not causation. « The HabitableZone

Correlation is not causation. September 2, 2016 8:10 pm ER

In 1980, CO2 concentration in Earth’s atmosphere was 335 ppm.
In 2015, CO2 concentration in Earth’s atmosphere was 405 ppm.
In the last 35 years CO2 concentration in Earth’s atmosphere has increased by (405-335)/335 = 21%.

http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/webdata/ccgg/trends/co2_data_mlo.png

In 1980, midsummer minimum ice extent in the Arctic Ocean was 7.75 Mkm^2.
In 2015, midsummer minimum ice extent in the Arctic Ocean was 3.75 Mkm^2.
In the last 35 years midsummer minimum Arctic ice extent has decreased by (7.75-4.75)/7.75 =
39%.

http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/files/2015/10/monthly_ice_09_NH 350×270.png

Of course, correllation is not evidence of causation. Maybe the melting ice has caused the CO2 concentration to increase.

Or maybe the rising CO2 levels have nothing to do with the diminishing ice levels. Maybe the correlation is purely coincidental.

Of course the science establishes causation in this case... by RL 2016-09-02 20:49:29
- Are ice cream sales and rape correlated? And if so, why? by ER 2016-09-02 21:53:09
  - Sexual assaults (and other serious violent crime) are more common in the summer months... by RL 2016-09-02 22:02:07
  - Never mind. I looked it up. by ER 2016-09-02 22:02:06
    - Another in the long list of reasons why warming climate is bad... by RL 2016-09-02 22:04:35
- more from the Scientific American article by RL 2016-09-02 21:52:40
  - What puzzles me... by ER 2016-09-02 22:15:14
    - From watching the defenders of this crime here and elsewhere... by RL 2016-09-02 22:22:23
      - We have learned how to change peoples minds by spending money. by ER 2016-09-02 22:55:21
  - The Union of Concerned Scientists report by RL 2016-09-02 22:10:45
    - All politicians start out as lawyers or businessmen. by ER 2016-09-02 22:27:44

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