CLIMATE PREDICTION SWINGS AND MISSES:
A DECADE OF ALARMIST STRIKE OUTS, 2010-2019
What follows are climate predictions forecast to come true during the 2010s - one for each year. A few timely missed predictions for 2020 are also added as a bonus feature. WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST.
2010
In 1988, NASA’s James Hansen predicted that by 2010-2020, global temperatures will be 4 to 6 degrees warmer than 1958.Source: Associated Press, June 11, 1986 But average global temperature has increased by only by perhaps 1.8F since 1958.Source: Berkeley Earth
2011
In 2008, Australian media fretted the ongoing drought would never break. But by 2011, Australia had so much rain, sea-level had fallen.Source: Sydney Morning Herald, January 4, 2008 Source: The Guardian, August 23, 2013
2012
Columnist predicts famine by 2012 unless we go vegan.Source: The Guardian, December 23, 2002
2013
Navy researcher says Arctic to be ice-free by 2013. Source: December 12, 2007
2014
In 2009, Al Gore predicted the Arctic would be ice-free in 2014. Source: USA Today, December 14, 2009
2015
A study published in Nature warned than an ice-free Arctic in 2015 could lead to a catstrophic methane release.Source: The Guardian, July 24, 2013
2016
In 2013, a Navy scientist predicted the Arctic could be ice-free as early as 2016, ‘84 years ahead of conventional projections.’Source: The Guardian, December 9, 2013
2017
Prince Charles predicted back in 2009 that we only had 96 months to save the planet. July 9, 2017 came and went and we are still here. Source: The Independent, July 9, 2009
2018
In 1988, the United Nations predicted the Maldives would be completely under water by 2018. Source: Agence France-Presse, September 26, 1988
2019
In 1989, NASA scientist James Hansen predicted New York City’s West Side Highway would be underwater by 2019 among other never-happened calamities. Source: Salon, October 23, 2001
Bonus Failed 2020 Prediction
Secret 2004c Pentagon report says Britain will have a Siberian climate by 2020. Source: The Guardian, February 21, 2004
Bonus Failed 2020 Prediction
In 2000, it was predicted that heavy snow would disappear for 20 years and then return an leave us “unprepared.”
Source: The Independent, March 20, 2000