However, it is not entirely anthropogenic (though we do...
DDO should change the "global warming exists" big issue to "Man-made global warming exists"
I thank my opponent for accepting this debate. 1. Samples taken from Global Warming Exists DDO opinion page http://www.debate.org... Prompt: "global warming exists" with the option of PRO or CON Voted Con (that global warming does not exist): 1) RoyLatham - "Global warming exists, but I assume the prompt means "Human-caused global warming crisis exists."" 2) Tes95 - " Not to the degree people believe. I believe the Earth simply has an unpredictable climate, with erratic and weird weather at times." 3) jzonda415 - "Humans don't cause the world to warm up, it's a natural cycle. This is idiotic Liberal conspiracies made to do nothing but create the EPA to target business. It is disgusting really." 4) BigSky - "Global Warming does indeed exist, it is highly over exaggerated by liberals who use it as a scare tactic." 5) Nur-Ab-Sal - "I assume this means anthropogenic global warming." Voted Pro (that global warming exists): 1) Andromeda Z - "There is a significant amount of evidence to suggest global warming exists. However, it is not entirely anthropogenic (though we do cause some of it)." 2) imabench - "There is evidence it exists and that humans could be playing a part in causing it, but I do think that some people overly emphasized how fast it could occur and how deadly it could be." The above quotes show a clear disconnect between the comments and the way people voted. RoyLatham said, "global warming exists" and still voted con to express his opinion that man-made global warming does not exist. This is a major problem because people are unable to express their opinion on the 'big issue,' that being if man-made global warming exists. Whether or not humanity contributes to global warming is the major issue, NOT if global warming exists. There really isn't much debate on if the Earth is warming or not, and there SURELY isn't any legitimate debate on whether or not the Earth goes through periods of warming...ever...and for any amount of time. For instance, every single person must admit that the Earth goes through temperature changes, so global warming exists without a doubt, and so does global cooling. Man-made global warming is the big issue because we are in the equation, and humans can change their course of action if we decide we are causing the Earth to warm. However, if the Earth is just going through a period of warming, it doesn't have any real ramifications that are under our control, and thus is not a big issue. The prompt that capitalizes the debate over global warming into a single sentence really is, "Man-made global warming exists and is significant, and the consequences are serious." However, that prompt is too long, and the next best would be, "Man-made global warming exists".