Written by Dr. Matthew Wielicki

The allure of seamlessly blending modern, instrumental climate records with paleoclimate data obtained through proxies like tree rings and ice cores is undeniable. It promises a comprehensive view of Earth’s thermal history, stretching back millennia. However, before succumbing to this tempting shortcut, we must acknowledge its profound ethical and scientific challenges. This article delves into these challenges, arguing that splicing modern data onto proxies is, at best, dubious science and, at worst, a gross misrepresentation of Earth’s climatic past.