October was the 332nd consecutive month with an above-average (global) temperature.
A report from the National Climatic Data Centre, a division of National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States has indicated that
- The average combined global land and ocean surface temperature for October 2012 tied with 2008 as the fifth warmest October on record, at 0.63°C (1.13°F) above the 20th century average of 14.0°C (57.1°F). Records began in 1880.
- The globally-averaged land surface temperature for October 2012 was the eighth warmest October on record, at 0.92°C (1.66°F) above average. The globally-averaged ocean surface temperature tied with 2004 as the fourth warmest October on record, at 0.52°C (0.94°F) above average.
- The average combined global land and ocean surface temperature for January–October 2012 was the eighth warmest such period on record, at 0.58°C (1.04°F) above the 20th century average.
- This is the 332nd consecutive month with an above-average (global) temperature.
Doubters can point to regional variations to try and score political points but the data consistenly shows the Global Average Temperature going up. Scientific facts are still true, even when you don't believe them.
Scientists have also measured a consistent increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. I don't find it hard to understand that there is very likely a correlation between the two findings, i.e. that the latter is contributing towards the former.
Governments of the world are still not doing enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.