Anthropogenic Global Warming Is Real

This resolution is based on a discussion that originated in the comment section of another debate: . http://www.debate.org... == Definitions == Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW): Global Warming influenced by human activities. Real: Being or occurring in fact or actuality. == Rules == Pro and Con will both refrain from attacking the sources of scientific information in order to keep this debate focused on relevant arguments, evidence, and logical consistency, rather than accusations of corruption. Furthermore, Pro's BOP will intend to prove the scientific validity of AGW, and to a lesser extent, Con will have to provide counter-evidence to such claims. And it begins! == Global Warming Is Real == 1. The Greenhouse Effect is a process in which Earth's atmosphere traps the sun's energy, which keeps surface temperatures relatively warm. Basic physics demonstrate that increases in Greenhouse Gases will trap increased amounts of energy, thus causing temperatures to rise. As humanity burns fossil fuels, and CO2 is released into Earth's atmosphere, energy from the sun is trapped, and it can be logically expected to initiate rises in surface temperatures. . http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov... 2. As expected, the Industrial Revolution began a process in which fossil fuels were burned to extract energy, which has significantly increased the amount of CO2 found in Earth's atmosphere. Before industrialization, Earth's atmosphere retained approximately 280 Carbon parts per million (ppm), which by 1958 had risen to 315 ppm, and is now nearly 400 ppm. As a result, global temperatures have also risen significantly, which implicates these human actions. . http://www.jpl.nasa.gov... . http://www.ourplanet.org.uk... 3. Natural phenomena cannot be responsible for the current warming anomaly. For instance, solar output has remained constant since the 1750's. Volcanism releases sulfuric acid into the atmosphere, which reflects solar energy back out into space, cooling the Troposphere. Although Earth's axial shifts might explain a climb in surface temperatures, the CO2 anomaly implicates human actions. There simply isn't any natural phenomena that can adequately explain the recent jump in temperature AND CO2, which leaves only human activities to blame. . http://climate.nasa.gov... . http://www.koshland-science-museum.org... . http://www.seed.slb.com... 4. Feedback loops are going to cause exponential increases in CO2, which will force surface temperatures to rapidly rise as well. As human activities warm the Earth, arctic ice melts and exposes increased amounts of ocean that absorb rather than reflect solar energy. As more energy is absorbed, the Earth is further warmed, which triggers a process that feeds itself. This is known as a positive feedback loop, for it exponentially amplifies Earth's warming trends. There are also sinks that absorb CO2 -- oceans and trees -- but human deforestation and the decreased absorption rates of oceans are substantially weakening this process. Oceans and forests have absorbed at least 48% of atmospheric CO2 release since the 19th century, which has essentially slowed AGW. However, these two lifelines are being exhausted, causing warming patterns to rise exponentially. Because of this phenomenon, there is no chance that CO2 levels will go down, which rules out the possibility of regularly occurring temperature fluctuation taking place in the future. . http://www.globalwarmingisreal.com... . http://news.nationalgeographic.com... . http://nrs.fs.fed.us... . http://www.sciencedaily.com... == Conclusion == There have been minimal sources of natural warming phenomena, which leaves the burning of fossil fuels as the sole culprit. Shortly after the Industrial Revolution took off, CO2 levels skyrocketed, with surface temperatures following close behind. Due to such compelling evidence, a strong scientific consensus has been formulated, which contends that Anthropogenic Global Warming is real and happening. There are also good indicators that surface temperatures will continue to rise at an exponential pace, which further implicates human activities. . http://en.wikipedia.org... Thanks again to Con, and good luck with your response.