Global Warming: How Much Warmer Is It?

The latest measure of global warming is in, this time for the Alps region. The authors conclude that "Europe's Alpine region is going through its warmest period in 1,300 years." Well, that settles it, then. But wait. As usual, there is some fine print to read:

Boehm said the current warm period in the Alpine region began in the 1980s, noting that a similar warming occurred in the 10th and 12th centuries. However, the temperatures during those phases were "slightly under the temperatures we've experienced over the past 20 years."

Hmm, "similar" warming in the past that is "slightly under" today's temperature. Could you elaborate on that, please? Well, the news article doesn't say anything more. But you can go to the actual studies: http://www.zamg.ac.at/alp-imp/ Now, I'm no scientist, but what I see on page 40 (of the pdf file), for example, of the final report is a graph that seems to show temperatures from the Medieval Warm Period that are quite close to that of today: http://www.zamg.ac.at/alp-imp/downloads/ALP-IMP-final-rep-public.pdf What I'd love to hear from the global warming folks is an explanation of why the temperatures were so high back then. That might help get people on board with their cause.