Former President Donald Trump recently used a significant winter storm affecting about two-thirds of the United States to suggest that global warming is a myth.In a post on Truth Social, he questioned, "Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain - WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???" This statement reflects a common misunderstanding among climate change deniers, conflating short-term weather phenomena with long-term climate trends.
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cbsnews.comClimate scientists have consistently pointed out that weather and climate are different concepts.Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate represents long-term averages of these conditions across extended periods.
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factcheck.orgbbc.comDr Steven Decker, director of Rutgers University's Meteorology Undergraduate Program, clarified this distinction, noting that the cold air presently moving into the US is merely a weather event and does not negate the overall warming trend observed globally.
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cbsnews.comTrump's assertion overlooks critical research demonstrating that global warming continues to progress.Dr Daniel L.Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, explained that heavy ice accumulations can occur when warm air meets cold Arctic air, a phenomenon that does not contradict the reality of climate change.
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cbsnews.comIn fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently ranked 2025 as the third warmest year on record since 1850, with all ten warmest years occurring since 2015.
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cbsnews.comThe relationship between cold weather and climate change has been a recurrent theme in political rhetoric.Past instances include Trump’s 2019 comments during a snowstorm, where he similarly claimed that cold weather disproved the existence of global warming.
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morningsidecenter.orgThis narrative aligns with a broader pattern among some politicians who utilize localized cold events to cast doubt on the science of climate change, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
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factcheck.orgbbc.comMoreover, scientists emphasize that variations in weather, such as cold snaps, are expected even in a warming world.For instance, the phenomenon known as the polar vortex can lead to outbreaks of cold air moving southward, which can be exacerbated by climate change.
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cbsnews.comThus, while some areas may experience extreme cold, others can simultaneously encounter record warmth, illustrating the complex nature of climate systems.
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cbsnews.comDr Swain also noted that Trump's description of the winter storm as a "record cold wave" is inaccurate, indicating that while some areas may see significant ice accumulations due to the storm, this does not provide valid evidence against climate change.
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cbsnews.comThe broader context highlights that individual weather events should not be used as a basis for dismissing long-term climate trends.Critics of Trump's claims point out that the conflation of weather and climate represents a significant misunderstanding of scientific principles.The argument that a cold winter disproves global warming relies on a flawed interpretation of data, where isolated incidents are mistaken for overarching trends.
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morningsidecenter.orgClimate scientists advocate for a perspective that considers long-term data rather than short-term anomalies, reinforcing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the climate crisis.
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bbc.comIn conclusion, while winter storms and cold weather may provoke public debate about climate change, they do not provide substantive evidence against the established science.The scientific consensus remains clear: global warming is a pressing reality, and understanding the distinction between weather events and climate trends is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
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factcheck.orgmorningsidecenter.orgAs climate experts continue to reiterate, the focus should remain on long-term data and trends that consistently point towards rising global temperatures despite occasional cold snaps.
