Global warming is likely (and mostly) anthropogenic

To not confuse other members, I would like to clarify that I am devils advocating. I will be presenting similar ideas and data points as presented in the Rational Wiki article, but will expand on their current content [1]. 1. The Earth's atmosphere keeps the planet much warmer than it would be without an atmosphere. Unless my opponent disagrees, I will proceed to the next point. 2. The main gases which contribute to this are carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor. Collectively these are called greenhouse gases. Unless my opponent disagrees, I will proceed. 3. The ability of these gases to act as greenhouse gases can be shown in a laboratory. Although my opponent likely agrees, I would like to expand on this somewhat. CO2 is a greenhouse gas and causes some warming. My opponent will likely argue, if he disagrees with this point, that the CO2 effect is minimal or the climate system deals with this through negative climate feedbacks. However, the empirical and peer-reviewed literature obliterates these claims. Recent studies have ranked CO2 the largest factor in the modern warming by far (figure right), and that the feedbacks amplify this initial greenhouse warming substantially (left) [2]. The National Research Council has come to similar conclusions noting, “A strong, credible body of scientific evidence shows that climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for a broad range of human and natural systems”. [3] Former research by Mike Lockwood, who used to be a skeptic and favor a celestial origin of climate change, has published studies noting that the main forcing in climate is human emissions—namely, CO2—humans cause at least 75% of the modern warm period [4]. These laboratory measurement’s seem to be at work in our atmosphere. 4. The quantity of these greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased sharply since the Industrial Revolution, and their concentration continues to do so. My opponent likely agrees, again. 5. The concentration of these gases has increased as a consequence of human activity. Skeptic scientists also agree with this—all measurement’s here (well, nearly all) indicate that most of the CO2 increase is due to manmade sources. 6. The temperature of Earth's atmosphere has been increasing and continues to increase. The fact that we are in a warming phase is uncontroversial [5][6]. 7. The increase in global temperature correlates with the increases of greenhouse gases. This is also a fact. Indeed, independent measurements have proven that long wave radiation is exiting at a slower pace indicating greenhouse gases, to some extent, have warmed the earth. Most likely very significantly [7]. Nearly every estimate shows excellent correlation between the two (co2 vs temperature) [8]. Other data using CO2 measurement’s from Mauna Loa vs global temperatures has found a remarkably close correlation between CO2 and Climate [9]. Further analysis of paleoclimate noted CO2 has amplified past warmings [10]. --- That is it, for now. 1. . http://rationalwiki.org... 2. . http://www.giss.nasa.gov... 3. . http://nas-sites.org... 4. . http://rspa.royalsocietypublishing.org... 5. . http://www.ipcc.ch... 6. . http://climate.nasa.gov... 7. . http://www.giss.nasa.gov... 8. . http://www.skepticalscience.com... 9. . http://public.econ.duke.edu... 10. . http://www.realclimate.org...