I write in response to the letter from Michael Brakey, “NOAA fudging Maine climate data” (July 15).

Brakey makes reference to the fact that Penobscot Bay froze over and there were very cold temperatures in Maine as proof that the planet is not getting warmer.

Unfortunately, the cold in Maine is not indicative of a contradiction to global warming. In fact, here in Boston there were record cold temperatures in February and seven feet of snow.

Why? Because the polar stream has been altered by climate change. That change brings colder temperatures farther south and swings warmer temperatures to the arctic where sea ice is melting at an alarming rate.

Mark Kertzman, Cambridge, Mass.