CO2 also traps water vapor which creates clouds which reflect the sun's energy back out into the upper atmosphere. This REDUCES the surface temperature. So there are conflicting results of the ultra minute ( as measured) increased amount of CO2 in the lower atmosphere.
CO2 traps water vapor? I think you need to study up before posting. More water vapor is the result of higher temps, an AGW prediction. That WOULD mean more clouds reflecting sunlight back into space. More clouds, however, means more variable weather, another AGW prediction! You seem to be bleeping over the fact that, while clouds would buffer the heating capacity of the added CO2, to get them you'd have to have more heat in the first place!
Generally the water cycle is a zero sum game. The amount of heat it takes to evaporate the water is given back when the water condenses.
I don't believe it is a buffer. They extra heat stays trapped.
But the whole idea that warming hasn't taken place in 20 years is absurd. Some years it's gone down, other years it's gone up. Peaks and valleys, not a straight line graph. The current Solar Cycle (24) has produces half as many sun-spots than the previous Cycle. I think the best indcator is the amount of melt in the artic during the summer months.