There is an interesting article in the publication “U.S.CLIVAR Variations” [the article is not yet online but should be soon],
Fogt, Ryan L., David H. Bromwich, and Keith M. Hines, 2008: Recent ENSO and SAM Teleconnections for Antarctica. Variations, May 2008, Vol.6, No. 1, 4-7. Available from the U.S. CLIVAR Office
1717 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006, (202) 419-3471, usco@usclivar.org,
The article further demonstrates why a regional focus on climate change is imperative. A global average metric such as the global average surface temperature trend is almost useless in explaining climate. The Fogt et al article shows that Antarctic sea ice extent responses to regional circulation patterns. Climate change in other parts of the world (such as Arctic sea ice trends) must also be explained in terms of regional circulation pattern changes. For example, the Antarctic sea ice coverage today has been well above the long term average for this time of the year until recently (see), while the Arctic sea ice coverage today is well below average (see).
The Fogt et al paper illustrates the recent large anomaly in the figure below.
To explain climate variability and trends, we need to move away from the global average perspective promoted by the 2007 IPCC WG1 report, and adopt a regional viewpoint in terms of attribution and in the assessment of predictability.