So much for global warming

Last year was actually cooler than the previous year. So much for global warming, huh?

True, 2010 tied for the hottest year on record. And 2011 was still in the top 11 (by other measurements, the top 9) hottest years on record, warmer than any year in the entire 20th Century except 1998.

But hey, clearly we're on the downward path now, right? I mean, what other explanation could there be? :)

One reason 2011 was milder than recent years was the La Nina cooling of the central Pacific Ocean. La Ninas occur every few years and generally cause global temperatures to drop, but this was the warmest La Nina year on record.