Environmentalism is a sound belief

1. Global Warming While the Medieval Warm Period saw unusually warm temperatures in some regions, globally the planet was cooler than current conditions. Further evidence obtained since 2006 suggests that even in the Northern Hemisphere where the Medieval Warm Period was the most visible, temperatures are now beyond those experienced during medieval times. Bottom line, globally temperatures are warmer than they have been during the last 2,000 years, and the causes of medieval warming are not the same as those causing late 20th century warming.1, 2 As for the sun"s supposed effect on the climate, while yes, the sun is the driver of our climate, it has not been the cause of the recent global warming. Over the last 35 years the sun has shown a slight cooling trend. However global temperatures have been increasing. Since the sun and climate are going in opposite directions scientists conclude the sun cannot be the cause of recent global warming. The only way to blame the sun for the current rise in temperatures is by cherry picking the data. This is done by showing only past periods when sun and climate move together and ignoring the last few decades when the two are moving in opposite direction.3 CO2 does cause warming. An enhanced greenhouse effect from CO2 has been confirmed by multiple lines of empirical evidence. Satellite measurements of infrared spectra over the past 40 years observe less energy escaping to space at the wavelengths associated with CO2. Surface measurements find more downward infrared radiation warming the planet's surface. This provides a direct, empirical causal link between CO2 and global warming.4 Finally, humans have caused the recent warming by causing the CO2 rise. Over the past 150 years greenhouse gas levels have increased 40 percent mainly from burning of fossil fuels. This additional "forcing" is warming the planet more than it has in thousands of years. From Earth's history, we know that positive feedbacks will amplify this additional warming.5 Environmentalism is correct here. 2. Genetically Modified Organisms GMOs are dangerous. AAEM's position paper stated, "Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food, including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. They conclude, there is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation," as defined by recognized scientific criteria. The strength of association and consistency between GM foods and disease is confirmed in several animal studies." GMO foods have also been shown to be less nutritious compared to conventionally farmed foods, such as corn, where the GMO food"s nutrition was lower than the conventional"s.6 In addition, GMOs have not been shown to be beneficial. They have not been shown to increase cold tolerance, heat tolerance, drought resistance, or the benefits of "biopharmaceuticals". For example, some GMO crops require more water to grow, decreasing their effectiveness in drought. The connection between cold tolerance and GMOs has not been fully established yet. I also countered the idea that GMOs improve nutrition because they are inherently dangerous as I mentioned above.7, 8 Environmentalism is correct here as well. 3. The Keystone XL Pipeline Actually, the "highest standard of pipe is still bad. First, the company that will produce this pipeline is the same company that produced the last defective components of the pipeline. TransCanada said that its pipeline met "world class standards", yet it still spilled 30 times in one year. It"s clearly not that safe.9, 10 As for the supposed economic benefits, these have been inflated to suit my opponent"s argument. The State Dept. has concluded that the KXL pipeline would create an "astounding" 20 permanent jobs. TransCanada's original application acknowledged that KXL pipeline would create about 3,500 to 4,200 temporary construction jobs. Only about $4 billion will be spent on the pipeline, much of it going overseas. Not actually the "economic stimulus" my opponent would have you believe. Also, gas prices have been projected to go up in the Midwest because of the pipeline. 11, 12 Environmentalism makes yet another correct prediction here. Overall, there is no reason to conclude that environmentalism is unsound. Works Cited: 1 http://www.skepticalscience.com... 2 http://www.skepticalscience.com... 3 http://www.skepticalscience.com... 4 http://www.skepticalscience.com... 5 http://www.skepticalscience.com... 6 http://www.responsibletechnology.org... 7 http://www.truthabouttrade.org... 8 http://articles.mercola.com... 9 http://www.ilr.cornell.edu... 10 http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov... 11 http://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state... 12 http://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov...