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Resolved: Countries ought work to end climate change/global warming.

I thank my opponent for accepting my resolution, and I must debate the PRO in this debate. I have no parameters to establish in the scope of the resolution of this debate, so I move on toward the iteration of my contentions. Contention 1: Global warming and climate change are real threats that will be devastating to the human population if not controlled. The threat of global warming and climate change can be disastrous for the entire human community if allowed to accelerate and continue to spiral out of control. This is not construed to the human race, but also for the entire global environment and species therein. Sub-point 1a: Global warming is a real issue. Scientific evidence points to the poignant truth that global warming as a result from increases of Carbon Dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, including the following as NASA report: "Certain facts about Earth's climate are not in dispute: The heat-trapping nature of carbon dioxide and other gases was demonstrated in the mid-19th century.2 Their ability to affect the transfer of infrared energy through the atmosphere is the scientific basis of many JPL-designed instruments, such as AIRS. Increased levels of greenhouse gases must cause the Earth to warm in response. Ice cores drawn from Greenland, Antarctica, and tropical mountain glaciers show that the Earth’s climate responds to changes in solar output, in the Earth’s orbit, and in greenhouse gas levels. They also show that in the past, large changes in climate have happened very quickly, geologically-speaking: in tens of years, not in millions or even thousands." Effects of such increases of CO2 and other greenhouse gases has resulted in ocean acidification, retreat of glaciers, shrinking ice sheets, etc. The following graph shows the trend in the increase of global warming. Sub-point 1b: The warming of the earth will lead to disastrous consequences. Global warming will lead to consequences disastrous for the maintenance of the human community, considering the following: There will be more intense hurricanes considering the pumping of warmer water into the atmosphere as well as more droughts and wildfires due to higher temperatures. The NRDC explains the occurrence of such consequences already occurring (in my cited evidence), including the increase of more intense hurricanes. Contention 2: The endeavor to stop global warming will lead to additional benefits for the human community outside of the scope of global warming. In addition to reducing the effects of global warming, the plight and actions in order to stop global warming will lead to additional good consequences: Sub-point 2a: The reduction of the use of fossil fuels brings many benefits. With the reduction of the demand of the use of fossil fuels, energy independence for countries would be much stronger considering they wouldn't have to submit to the rules of other nations or their interests, and the reduction of fossil fuels use would be a reduction in air pollution, which has serious effects: "Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or complicate medical conditions in the elderly. It is estimated that half a million people die prematurely every year in the United States as a result of smoking cigarettes." The drilling for fossil fuels can also be reduced with the decreased demand, meaning that these environmental impacts can also be reduced: "Concerns over new drilling amount to more than just a worry about spills. To find potential oil reserves, researchers send seismic waves into the ground. The waves bounce back to reveal the buried topography and can hint at a possible reserve. But seismic noise disorientates whales and leads to mass beachings, said Richard Charter, a government relations consultant for the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund." This is not including the oil spills that may result. Sub-point 2b: Global warming is detrimental to the economy and ridding of it can aid it. Podesta explains: "In the United States, the potential economic impacts on regional economic development are many. Droughts and loss of soil moisture from a warming climate are predicted to cause a lowering of water tables, with potentially devastating economic impacts to agricultural communities throughout the Great Plains. Direct impacts from global warming on regional economies will also include a serious blow to the timber industry from increased prevalence of pests like the southern pine beetle, slower growth rates for trees, and more frequent wildfires. This would mean a decrease in revenue for producers of $1 billion to $2 billion per year. For resource-dependent states and industries, whether you are calculating expected agricultural yields or changes in hydroelectric energy production from melting snow pack, global warming has real consequences for businesses and investors.Additionally, states face substantial policy risk from the increasing regulation of carbon, particularly where dominant industries are tied to energy generation and use. Coal producing states and those with larger shares of coal-based electricity, for example, have a strong interest in ensuring a rapid shift to technologies capable of capturing and storing carbon, to ensure a place for coal in a carbon-constrained world. Across our industrial heartland, the regional economy will depend on the ability of manufacturing firms to successfully anticipate global market demands and regulatory mandates for automobiles that use less gas, or run on entirely new forms of energy. Companies that fail to respond to this changing policy landscape will face increasing liability for climate impacts, while those that embrace new technology can capture new and vibrant markets." "Climate Change: Evidence." Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. NASA. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://climate.nasa.gov...;. "Global Warming." Elmhurst College. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://www.elmhurst.edu...;. "Consequences of Global Warming - Global Warming Effects | NRDC." Natural Resources Defense Council – The Earth's Best Defense. NRDC. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://www.nrdc.org...;. Podesta, John. "Global Warming's Toll on the Economy." Center for American Progress. Center for American Progress. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://www.americanprogress.org...