The Debate Over Global Warming - 1063 Words

The climate change debate has been ongoing for nearly thirty years now, the debate is over the causation(s) of global warming. Temperatures on earth have increased approximately 2.0 °F since the early 20th century. Levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane have drastically increased within the atmosphere. Both sides within the debate surrounding global climate change can agree on these points. However; disagree on a number of other possible causations of global warming. Even though there is an overwhelming amount of evidence to support each side’s argument; the side suggesting human activity to be the cause of climate change presents substantially more evidence to support their claim than their opposed party. A published†¦show more content†¦The pro side insists rising levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases are a direct result of human activity such as the combustion of fossil fuels, and that these increases are the cause of a plethora of signifi cant and increasingly drastic climate changes such as global warming, loss of sea ice, sea level rise, stronger storms, and heavier droughts. The Pro side contests that immediate global action is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent further dire climate changes. Co2 produced by the combustion of fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal can be directly differentiated within the atmosphere from the natural Co2 within the atmosphere due to its specific isotopic ratio. The total greenhouse gas emissions from human activity in 2012 was about 6.5 million metric tons, which is equivalent to about 78.3 billion, billion with a B cargo shipping containers full of greenhouse gases (Oreskes, 2004). The Con side is backed by more than one thousand scientists who disagree that human activity is primarily responsible for global climate change. A 2012 Purdue University survey found that 47% of climatologists challenge the idea that humans are primarily responsible for climate change and alternatively believe that climate change is caused by an equal combination of humans and the