Researchers at the University of California claim they have conclusively proven the reality of global warming. The Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature (BEST) study analyzed more than 1.6 billion land temperature records dating back to the 1800s from more than 39,000 temperature stations around the world. Results show warming of nearly 1°C since 1950.

BEST researcher Dr. Robert Muller said his team discovered global temperatures have risen even more than the UN-accepted average of 0.64°C. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, he explained the purpose of the study was to investigate consequences of the urban heat island effect on reported surface temperatures. BEST found rural temperature records reveal a warming trend nearly identical to that of urban locations.

Muller asserts the new study debunks climate change skepticism accusing government agencies of cherry-picking urban temperature data. At issue is the extensive 2009 study by meteorologist Anthony Watts, Is the U.S. Surface Temperature Record Reliable? The report exposed gross rule violations at temperature recording station sites, revealing nearly 90 percent of U.S. locations "fail to meet the National Weather Service's own siting requirements that stations must be 30 meters or more away from an artificial heating or radiating/reflecting heat source." Watts described some of the shocking conditions:

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