Global Warming Exists

== Re: Burden of Proof == Con states that I automatically have the burden of proof in this debate because I am Pro. That is false. The instigator always has the burden of proof in a debate, because they are the ones making a declaration or assertion. Con took it upon himself to debate the fact that global warming does NOT exist. To choose a resolution of which he is Con to make the other debater go first is a huge cop out. Con could have easily made the resolution "Global warming does not exist" and choose the PRO side, so that he could man up and post an argument first. Any non-noob to DDO will attest to the fact that "allowing your opponent to go first" is nothing short of a punk move that often loses conduct points in the voting period. Additionally there are hundreds of debates in which Con instigates the debate and goes first, such as these examples [1], [2], [3], etc. Ergo that sad attempt at ad hominem was actually just evidence of his own ignorance regarding debate etiquette and procedure. == Re: Temperature Increase == Con writes "It is not scientifically proven that average temperatures have climbed up around the world. There are plenty of scientists that support and have documented the opposite. Here's an example, and others can and will be provided if necessary." Let the records show that Con's source [4] actually says "THE CAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE REMAINS UNKNOWN..." In other words, the source doesn't deny climate change (in fact it admits it) but rather only questions whether or not man is responsible. As I said in the last round, global warming is undeniable even if whether or not man is the cause is debatable. Fortunately for me the resolution has nothing to do with proving that global warming is man-made - only that it exists. == Re: Cold Weather; Harsh Winters == Con notes that people continue to die from frost bite and low temperatures, and then presents a bunch of irrelevant statistics and sources regarding hypothermia and cold temperatures all over the world. This hilarious "argument" only demonstrates Con's ignorance about the science of global warming. My opponent is confusing weather with climate; cold weather is NOT an indication of a cooling climate. For my opponent's viewing pleasure (and hopefully a source of knowledge and information) I will provide several links which explain exactly why weather and climate are not synonymous such as these [5], [6], [7], etc. In short, my opponent has proven that he knows absolutely nothing (and is completely incompetent on the science regarding) global warming. Just because the globe has experienced bouts of cold in no way disproves the reality that the earth on average is warming. Again, Con's own source [4] confirmed this fact. == Rebuttal to my Arguments == 1. Con states that there is not a unanimous agreement global warming exists, and I admit that this is obviously true. However, the most respected scientific bodies have stated unequivocally that global warming is occurring, and people are causing it. "This conclusion is shared by the national science academies of developed and developing countries plus many other organizations, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was established by the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization to provide the world with 'a clear scientific view' on climate change. The only real debate is about how fast warming will occur, and how much damage will be done, as a result of human activities that produce heat-trapping CO2 and other greenhouse-gas emissions" [8]. 2. Next I said that humans are pouring carbon dioxide into the atmosphere much faster than plants and oceans can absorb it. Con responded, "Even if this is true, this does not mean that it is necessary for the average temperature of the globe to increase overall." Once again, this only proves his scientific ignorance. It is a FACT that excess carbon dioxide alters the process by which naturally occurring greenhouse gases trap the sun's heat before it can be released back into space. Excess carbon dioxide (which we output into the atmosphere) creates a warming effect on the planet. For proof and a picture demonstration, check here [9]. == More Arguments for Pro == 1. Between 1961 and 1997 the world's glaciers lost 890 cubic miles of ice. Melting sea ice can accelerate global warming. The overwhelming majority of glaciers are still losing ice at an alarming rate. The IPCC estimates that melting ice caps and glaciers accounted for about 25% of sea level rise from 1993 to 2003 [10]. 2. "The mountain of climate data assembled over decades by the scientific community as a whole is irrefutable. The records collected and analyzed by independent scientists from many disciplines and thousands of locations, paint a consistent, verifiable picture of a rapidly warming world" [11]. Records from scientific organizations such as NOAA, HADCRU, JMA and even NASA show that the earth's temperature on average (globally) has showed a warming trend since 1850. Atmospheric temperature measurements taken from orbiting satellites also show warming. During the 20th century, sea level rose an average of 7 inches after 2,000 years of relatively little change. At low latitudes, 20th century climate was unusually warm compared to the previous 2,000 years. Records of tree rings show that 20th century warming was unusual compared to at least the past 500 years. Coral proxy records indicate sea surface warming in most tropical locations over the past century [12]. These are all indisputable facts; I would love to see Con try. == Conclusion == Con finishes his round by saying that global warming is a hoax; however, this is only after his own source agrees that global warming exists, and just disputes the cause (whether or not humans are responsible). Again, whether or not humans are responsible is still up for debate (though I think it's quite obvious that humans are, as demonstrated by my sources) though it's undeniable that the temperature of the earth is increasing and thus global warming exists. My opponent's sources were irrelevant and his arguments had absolutely nothing to do with climate change. Any person with any knowledge of this would understand that colder weather or harsh winters that Con described have nothing to do with global warming and do not prove that global warming does not exist. So far, however, I have presented a plethora of evidence in favor of global warming's existence. == References == [1] http://www.debate.org... [2] http://www.debate.org... [3] http://www.debate.org... [4] http://epw.senate.gov... [5] http://abcnews.go.com... [6] http://www1.voanews.com... [7] http://www.telegraph.co.uk... [8] http://www.environmentaldefense.net... [9] http://www.pewclimate.org... [10] http://www.environmentaldefense.net... [11] http://www.environmentaldefense.net... [12] http://www.environmentaldefense.net...