New research on the slowdown in global warming has sent ripples across both the scientific and denier communities. Current theories suggest that much of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere gets stored in the Pacific Ocean. Using new technology, researchers Chen and Tung find that much of the heat is sinking deep in the Atlantic and Southern Oceans.
The more scientists come to understand about the slowdown in surface temperatures, however, the more deniers try to sow the seeds of confusion. The Hockey Schtick has an "updated list of 29 excuses for the 18 year 'pause' in global warming" that is making the rounds in the deniersphere. WUWT and others attempt to discredit the emerging research by making blanket statements like, "more than a dozen theories have now been proposed for the so-called global warming hiatus, ranging from air pollution to volcanoes to sunspots.
The Guardian has a good summary of the study, how it fits into the existing body of scientific research, and its implications. The multitude of cause-and-effect pathways affecting surface warming trends doesn't mean scientists are stumped or in conflict, much as deniers try to spin things that way.
The climate is pretty complicated, to say the least, and science reflects that.