What exactly can i argue about Global Warming?

Question

Ok in literature class my teacher is making us make an arugement (the Rogerian type) about a topic mine's Global Warming..and i dunno what to say..help some!!!

Answer 1

You can argue that our lifestyles are effecting the atmosphere and therefore the temperature.  However, many scientists also believe that we are experiencing a natural change in weather and we are due for another hot period or cold period (such as an ice age).  There is a lot of evidence that the things that we put out as humans have negative effects.  However, you can't be easily persuaded due to the lack of evidence on both sides.  It's up to you to chose.

Answer 2

get the book or watch the viedo an Inconvenient Truth, should be available in both formats in your library.

That has all the arguments you need all laid out and arranged for you.

Very US-centric though.

if you can use the DVD I would suggest showing the mellissa etheridge 4 minute music video as part of the presentation to get peoples interest.

Answer 3

I'd focus on the difference between "logical" arguments (it's volcanoes, it's the sun, man is too puny to have an effect, etc.) and the scientific data.  In Rogerian style ask for people who are skeptics to express their opinion.  After that stage, ask them if they believe in other scientific theories like Einstein's relativity and quantum mechanics (you can probably come up with better ones) and why.  Make scientific data the common ground.  You could try evolution, but that could get out of control fast.  

This is science.  Opinions don't prove anything.  "logical" arguments don't prove anything.  The data is what's important and the scientific data says global warming is happening and it's mostly caused by us.

Very short version:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Clima...

The best summary of the data available:

http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM2feb07.pdf

I wouldn't use Gore's name or reference his film.  That provokes conflict between you and the audience.

Instead of referencing "An Inconvenient Truth", this website provides very similar data in a non-aggressive way.

http://profend.com/global-warming/

Scientists have seen much stranger things than global warming (like Einstein's relativity or quantum mechanics) proved to be true by data.  So the data, not "logical" arguments, is what they go by.  The data is why why the vast majority of scientists agree that global warming is real and mostly caused by us.  Data about that here:

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/fu...

Answer 4

here's a site that explains the scientific arguments for GW and rebuts every denier claim

Answer 5

Global warming is basically caused by high content of green house gases in atmosphere. We generally think rise in temperature will continue but due to rising temperature extensive evaporation will happen. So  water vapor content will increase and will cause more rain.This will cool the earth down and massive cloud built in the atmosphere will cover up the ground allowing less solar energy to pass through. This will bring ice age nearer than hot scorching earth. This has happened in past.

Also global warming is due to increasing carbon dioxide content in atmosphere and it  will promote plant life and in turn help transpiration resulting in more rain. So all is not gloomy about global warming.