Look out your window. That's the sight of the warmest year on record. It's also the sight of the coldest year since 1996.
The Met Office say that 2010 has been the coldest year in Britain since 1996. It's easy to believe when you're knee-deep in the second major snow-fall of the year.
But globally, it's also the hottest year since measurements began. Several parts of the planet experienced record high temperatures, and while Britain has frozen others are wondering where their winter weather has disappeared to.
Experiencing climate is such a localised phenomenon that it's hard to convey to others what different weather feels like. Stand outside in the current snow and try to imagine lying half-naked on a beach in the Caribbean - bet you can't!
That's the reason it's so hard to get people to "believe" in global warming. They hear the word "warming", look out the window, put on an extra jumper, and decide you're talking pish.
I'm sure the people of the Maldives won't have much trouble understanding the science.
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