There are millions of years of recorded data to study, Ted.....it's recorded in the ice at out north and south poles....and there is no more disagreement among scientists about global warming that there is disagreement among scientists about the dangers of smoking....those who look hard enough or pay enough can get a scientist to declare the health benefits of tobacco....keep in mind also that there is a major difference between ice already in the oceans and ice on land. Ice in the oceans can melt without changing the volume of the ocean; ice on land is the threat.