Near-Term Climate News and Other Tall Tales

Yves here. Your humble blogger is making an exception to our general rule of not allowing AI content on the site by featuring this holiday sampler from Thomas Neuburger, which combines a climate update with AI fakery examples. The latter ties into our post earlier today on AI fraud and rising concerns that some videos, even when subjected to forensic exams, cannot be determined to be genuine or not.

By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at God’s Spies

“We project a global temperature record of +1.7°C in 2027, which will provide further confirmation of the recent global warming acceleration.”—James Hansen

Climate: You’re Soon To Be Here

For those who wish to stay informed, here’s Jim Hansen’s climate latest (available here). Emphasis mine below.

Abstract. Global temperature in 2025 declined 0.1°C from its El Nino-spurred maximum in 2024, making 2025 the second warmest year. The 2023-2025 mean is +1.5°C relative to 1880-1920. The 12-month running-mean temperature should decline for the next few months, reaching a minimum about +1.4°C. Later in 2026, we expect the 12-month running-mean temperature to begin to rise, as dynamical models show development of an El Nino. We project a global temperature record of +1.7°C in 2027, which will provide further confirmation of the recent global warming acceleration.

No tipping points showing yet, but acceleration confirmed. Elsewhere in the paper he says that the “accelerated rate” is “0.31°C per decade.” If that rate stays stable (i.e., no further acceleration), it yields the following in the next few decades:

Remember, that’s not based on models. It just takes today’s rate of change and sees where it leads — and assumes no further acceleration.

As you’re reading this, ask:

What will a +3 degrees warmer world look like?
Will you be alive in 2065 or so?

The ten-year-olds in my family will be 50 by then. The middle of their lives. Not good.

(My prediction for ppm CO2, similarly accelerated, is here. Hint: 2050 tops 500 ppm. Ouch.)

AI Forever (For a While)

We haven’t hit Peak Tech yet (we will, and grade schoolers will see it), so we haven’t yet seen the peak of AI fakery. But check out this short video (screenshot below). It’s must-watch and less than a minute long.

When our grandkids are adults, gathered around 2110 fires, what tales they will tell of our marvels, long since gone!

The faces are almost correct, and the casual friendly gestures are quite human-like. For example, in the first setup (Lord of the Rings), the redbearded Gimli’s closing movements are quite natural, as is Harrison Ford’s smile in the Indiana Jones setup. Karen Allen’s face isn’t right yet, as are some others. But they’re getting there.

For another, check this out:

Or this:

Music

The above reminds me of that now-ancient classic, “What kind of fakery is this?” by the once-remembered Amy Winehouse.

For the big-band experience, try this. Enjoy!