Some questions about climate change

[bluemingidiot]

"According to an ongoing temperature analysis led by scientists at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), the average global temperature on Earth has increased by at least 1.1° Celsius (1.9° Fahrenheit) since 1880."

World of Change: Global Temperatures (nasa.gov)

I have some concern about how accurately we can determine the composite world temperature in 1880, but let's just assume that whatever figure used, was correct.

But there are still other questions I need answers for before I can understand the severity of present climate change and the corrective action warranted.

First, the composite temperature in 1880--was that normal? Was it warmer than average? Was it cooler than average? How do we know?

If it was warmer than average, how do we know that the present increase is not part of natural climate evolution?

If the 1880 temperature was average, is mankind responsible for all, or just part, of the increase? Again, how do we know?

If 1880 was cooler, should that be the planetary thermostat setting? If so, why? If not, how much lower should the thermostat be, and why?

Are there any benefits from global warming? Between 1880 and today, what natural, weather related, phenomena are worse? If there are, how can we tell that they are worse because of temperature change?

Are all natural disasters due to increased warming? If so, how do we know? If only partly due, how do we know how much is due to the increased warming?

Between 1880 and today, are any natural, weather related, phenomena better in any part of the world?

Lastly, has the global temperature ever increased 2 degrees Fahrenheit or more, over a 140 year span, prior to the present? And if so, what caused it?  And how many times did this happen in recorded history, and how many times in the history of mankind?

[countrymom22]

All valid points. This is why I don't buy the whole, "humans are killing the planet" thing. We might be having some impact, but we aren't causing everything.

[bluemingidiot]

What if, ocean levels rise? Humans are not going to stand around on beaches for 80 years watching the water rise until they drown. We will adapt to our changing circumstances, as we have in the past. Take the example of Holland, which is below sea level and famous for its system of dikes that keep it from being flooded. Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, the 14th largest airport in the world, stands on dry land that was also once the site of a major naval battle, the Battle of Schiphol.