Does the recent unusually cold weather detract from, or add to, the case for the existence of significant global warming?
The human race is nothing more than a parasite on planet earth. It is a bit pretentious to believe we have a significant effect on the ecosystem given that it has been evolving for millions of years.
Simon Daykin, Basingstoke, Hampshire
Changes in our weather should not be confused with changes to our climate, which is measured over much longer periods (30 years plus).
Steve Wrigley, Lancaster
It has had the positive effect of raising public scepticism about the claims of scientists who present global warming as a fact.
Steve Amphlett, Sompting, West Sussex
As global warming increases, weather patterns will become more unexpected.
Steve Holloway, Slough, Berkshire
I wonder at what seems to be the increased volatility of our weather, with records seeming to fall most months.
Stuart de Turberville, Reading, Berks
Global warming should be considered a trend, and more short-term temperature extremes are usual climatic variations.
Simon Fung, Chippenham, Wiltshire
During global warming the polar cap melts quicker, releasing fresh cold water against our warming Gulf Stream, chilling our coast.
Stephen Rees, Cheadle, Cheshire
Rather than speculate, design out the emissions in the first place, put aside short-term company greed and work to allow future generations to enjoy this fragile ecosystem that we all share.
Tahir Quraishi, New Romney, Kent
One winter doth not a trend make. In Roman times the sea level meant the Isle of Thanet was cut off from England. With luck the same thing might happen again.
Charles Simmons-Jacobs, Faversham
It does detract from the case for global warming. I’m rather a sceptic, believing that weather patterns are too complex for man to predict, understand and make any sensible judgements about.
Steve Angus, Manchester
It does neither: global warming must be assessed on a long-term global scale rather than by relatively short-term local trends.
Dr Simon Jones, Pinner, Middlesex
Any deviation from the norm is further evidence that the earth’s control system is approaching an unstable state where unpredictable weather will become all too common in the years to come.
Dr Stephen Prior, Kingsbury, London
Current “normal” weather conditions are anything but “normal,” so something has changed.
Simon Scott, Peterculter, Aberdeen
Weather and climate are different. Only long-term global trends should be used as supporting evidence for global warming.
Dr Steve Pickering, Nottingham
It adds to the ammunition available to the climate change deniers, but very few of them seem to be scientists.
Steve Henderson, Birmingham
It just means that weather is disrupted a bit more than it has been. I had rain in the Alps when warm weather arrived from the south west at the same time as the UK received the cold northern air. Also, I have to burn more gas at home that will just add to global warming as well as my bills.
Stuart Bain, Burton on Trent, Staffs
I don’t know: the subject is too complex for me to hold a whimsical opinion.
Dr Stuart Brown, Dundee
It’s winter, people! It gets cold and snowy, although admittedly this spell has gone on longer than normal. It just proves we need to engineer how to deal with it more effectively.
Anon, Aberdeen
I have had to leave my motorbike at home over the last few days and suffer London Underground. I am all for global warming, the sooner the better!
Simon Jackson, Harrow, Middlesex
The chaos of the cold snap just goes to highlight our inability to rapidly adapt to any significant change in climate, be it up, down or sideways!
Simon Dodd, Glen Parva, Leicester
Neither.
Edwin Smith, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
I’ll rely on those with the credentials to answer this question. I prefer to rejoice in the opportunity the snowy weather has given me to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Tim Courtney, Nailsworth, Glos