Yes, the data is in for 2010, and it’s pretty much as expected: It did indeed tie for the hottest year ever recorded. There were many who speculated that it would surpass the hottest recorded (2005), though 2010 was a year in the midst of the deepest solar minimum in nearly a century — so, I’d say tie goes to the runner. Yes, indeed, 2010 was hot. Which gives us an opportunity to look back at the 10 hottest years ever recorded.

The 10 hottest years ever recorded have all taken place after 1997. As in 10 of the last 12 years have been the hottest on record. And if that doesn’t seem to stir any concern — let’s just look at a sampling of the extreme weather events brought on by a hotter, wetter climate last year:

There were devastating floods in Pakistan, severe deluges in Australia, and crippling heatwaves in Russia — all caused tragic suffering, loss of life, and major damage to industry. And while it would be foolish to blame any one of those events specifically on climate change, suffice to say that the conditions of a warmer world make such catastrophes more apt to occur.

And with 19 countries breaking temperature records last year, we can see without too much trouble how such warm, wet conditions are becoming more commonplace in more parts of the world, for longer periods of time. With that in mind, it’s becoming increasingly foolish to play little political games or attack Al Gore or scream ‘Climate Gate’ — climate change is already changing the world as we know it. And not for the better.

(Source: www.treehugger.com )