If the world has not stopped warming recently, why is the current period referred to as "a plateau"?

Because atmospheric temperatures have been around the same level for 15 years. They are saying it is still warming because these temperatures are higher than it was 20 years ago. It could stay at the current temperature every year for the next hundred years, and they would still say it is warming, because it is above the long term average.

In order for temperatures to break out of the plateau, we would have to see temperature numbers at least reach a new record, or jump into the 70s(.7C above average from 1951 to 1980).

To mimic previous warming we would need to see high 80s.

It is not a plateau, it is the .top of a sine wave, and since 2001 it is actually cooling.

We had a similar rise in temperatures from the 1900's to 1940 and then a cooling to the 70's it all depends on the sun cycles and the PDO and AMO, as the PDO is now negative and the AMO soon to become negative with the sun's sunspot activity low and predicted to become lower, it means we are in for a couple of decades of colder temperatures.

It makes one wonder what this will do for AGW science

OMG......Plateau. pause However you post the question, you are posting the same thing. SURFACE temps have slowed. OCEAN temps have not SO. the combined OCEAN and SURFACE temps are still rising, hence AGW is still happening. Wake up and smell the climate change Lrn 2 reed!

Gary F - Why would anyone trust the AGW theorists any more? They have been misleading people for several years now. Here's where we can be sure to get a more accurate reading : http://www.drroyspencer.com/latest-global-temperat...

The climate models are just as far off-base as the theory. When temperatures fall off of the cliff, will you promise to hang on to them along with the IP CC's time machine?

I suppose it depends on who coined the word. My suspicion is that it may have been coined by denialists who falsely claimed that the world stopped warming.

What 'world' temperature data do you base that on?

You must be one of those people who don't understand where the water goes when you boil it. .