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[Debate/토론] (PC-005) Is Human Activity Primarily Responsible for Global Climate Change?
최고관리자  |  17-06-24 08:16

Temperatures on earth have increased approximately 1.4°F since the early 20th century. Over this time period, atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) have notably increased. Both sides in the debate surrounding global climate change agree on these points. 

The pro side argues rising levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases are a direct result of human activities such as burning fossil fuels, and that these increases are causing significant and increasingly severe climate changes including global warming, loss of sea ice, sea level rise, stronger storms, and more droughts. They contend that immediate international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is necessary to prevent dire climate changes. 

The con side argues human-generated greenhouse gas emissions are too small to substantially change the earth’s climate and that the planet is capable of absorbing those increases. They contend that warming over the 20th century resulted primarily from natural processes such as fluctuations in the sun's heat and ocean currents. They say the theory of human-caused global climate change is based on questionable measurements, faulty climate models, and misleading science.

Pros

1. Overwhelming scientific consensus says human activity is primarily responsible for global climate change.

2. Rising levels of human-produced gases released into the atmosphere create a greenhouse effect that traps heat and causes global warming. 

3. The rise in atmospheric CO2 over the last century was clearly caused by human activity, as it occurred at a rate much faster than natural climate changes could produce. 

4. The specific type of CO2 that is increasing in earth's atmosphere can be directly connected to human activity.

5. Average temperatures on earth have increased at a rate far faster than can be explained by natural climate changes. 

6. Natural changes in the sun's activity cannot explain 20th century global warming.

7. Global warming caused by human-produced greenhouse gases is causing the Arctic ice cap to melt at an increasing rate.

Cons

1. More than one thousand scientists disagree that human activity is primarily responsible for global climate change.

2. Earth's climate has always warmed and cooled, and the 20th century rise in global temperature is within the bounds of natural temperature fluctuations over the past 3,000 years. 

3. Rising levels of atmospheric CO2 do not necessarily cause global warming, which contradicts the core thesis of human-caused climate change. 

4. Human-produced CO2 is re-absorbed by oceans, forests, and other "carbon sinks," negating any climate changes. 

5. CO2 is already saturated in earth’s atmosphere, and more CO2, manmade or natural, will have little impact on climate.

6. Global warming and cooling are primarily caused by fluctuations in the sun's heat (solar forcing), not by human activity.

7. The rate of global warming has slowed over the last decade even though atmospheric CO2 continues to increase.