One of the most persistent climate skeptic talking points has to do with how temperature rise seems to lag behind CO2 rise in the historical record, raising questions about the direction of causality. Maybe temperature rise causes CO2 rise rather than the other way around!

Our own Mr. Beck addressed the point here, but today RealClimate takes yet another go at it.

Reader support helps sustain our work. Donate today to keep our climate news free. All donations DOUBLED!

Of course, skeptic talking points are like zombies — they never stay dead — so I’m sure we’ll revisit this again in a few months.

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.