If it’s happening, it must be global warming

Compliments of Benny Peiser’s invaluable CCNet e-mails (sign up here), here are two quotes that together sum up one of the major obstacles to having a reasonable debate about global warming:

Since the late 1960s, much of the North Atlantic Ocean has become less salty, in part due to increases in fresh water runoff induced by global warming, scientists say.

— Michael Schirber, LiveScience, 29 June 2005

The surface waters of the North Atlantic are getting saltier, suggests a new study of records spanning over 50 years. They found that during this time, the layer of water that makes up the top 400 metres has gradually become saltier. The seawater is probably becoming saltier due to global warming, Boyer says.

–Catherine Brahic, New Scientist, 23 August 2007

We have reached the point that even scientists and science writers feel that they can attribute anything that happens to global warming, and a large part of the public seems willing to accept it.