The Earth is getting warmer, but Alaba­ma's state climatologist says carbon fuels aren't to blame.

John Christy, who heads the Earth Sys­tem Science Center at the University of Alabama- Huntsville, told a group of civic and business leaders Tuesday that the Earth's warming is well within historical ranges.

He spoke at the Energy and Environ­ment Lecture sponsored by Auburn Mont­gomery and Alabama Power Co.

Carbon dioxide levels have increased 38 percent in the last 100 years, Christy said, leading to an increase in the average surface temperature of about 1.26 de­grees. Even if carbon dioxide doubled, temperatures would increase only about 3.6 degrees, according to Christy.

"The climate is always in change," he said. "Glaciers are always advancing or re­treating.

"Think of it this way, would you rather the glaciers be advancing?"

Energy use, specifically carbon-based fuels such as coal, is responsible for some temperature increases, Christy said. But the societal benefits of energy far out­weigh the pollution, he added.

Life expectancy has soared over the last 100 years, he said, largely because of more efficient energy uses. That makes so­lutions that call for an end to carbon-based fuels unrealistic.

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