1. GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION
Global Warming: Fact or Fiction
Victoria Rock
AIU Online
BUSN300-1202A-15

2. GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION
Abstract
This report will explore the topic of Global Warming in terms of fact or fiction surrounding the
impact on the environment worldwide. The purpose of this report is to inform members of
Congress about the two opposing viewpoints on this matter.

3. GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION
I. Background of Global Warming
A. Impetus for the subject
1. Arguments for the topic
2. Arguments against the topic
II. Discussion
A. Melting Glaciers
B. Unpredictable Weather
III. Conclusion

4. GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION
I. Background of Global Warming
One of the most debated topics on Earth is the issue of climate change or Global Warming.
Global Warming fist became a concern in the 19th century when the industrialized revolution
first began. Scientist believe that the increase use of fossil fuels and deforestation has caused
greenhouse gases, which in turn has affected our climate temperatures. The National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, a national climatic data center, and the National Environmental
Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) are central to answering some of the most
pressing global change questions that remain unresolved. A New York Times reporter said,
“Global warming has become perhaps the most complicated issue facing world leaders (Global
Warming & Climate Change, 2012)” The Natural Resources Defense Council says, “Climate
change is the single biggest environmental and humanitarian crisis of our time (Global Warming,
2012).” In short, are we spending too much time, energy, and resources is assuring ourselves
that global warming in deed an issue or is it merely a natural occurrence of nature in which we
have become more aware of due to our increase in knowledge?
A. Impetus for the subject
1. Arguments for the topic
The NOAA has said that the climate has warmed in some areas and cooled in
others and the global surface temperatures tied 2005 as the warmest on record.
(Global Warming: Frequently Asked Questions, 2012) Scientists feel that if we
don’t reduce the emissions from the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, the
rise in the average temperatures will have far reaching effects on weather patterns,
health issues, wildlife, glaciers, and sea levels. (The Consequences of Global
Warming, 2008)

5. GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION
According to the EPA, the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation has caused the
concentration of heat tapping “greenhouse gases” to increase significantly and
these gases are preventing heat from escaping into space, much like the glass
panels of a greenhouse. If greenhouse gases continue to increase, climate models
predict that the average temperature at the Earth's surface could increase from 3.2
to 7.2ºF above 1990 levels by the end of this century. Scientists are certain that
human activities are changing the composition of the atmosphere, and that
increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases will change the planet's climate.
But they are not sure by how much it will change, at what rate it will change, or
what the exact effects will be. (The Consequences of Global Warming, 2008)
2. Arguments against the topic
The main argument of the issue of global warming is the lack of scientific
evidence linking the emissions of greenhouse gases as a result of human activity.
British television producer Martin Durkin produced, The Great Global Warming
Swindle (2007) in which he interviewed the scientist that was fist involved in the
research of global warming as well as economists, politicians, and many others
who are skeptical of the consensus of global warming. In this film evidence is
shown that the earth is just going through natural changes which it has done for
thousands of years and since the industrial revelation and increase in CO2 into the
atmosphere, temperatures have actual deceased instead of increase. (Durkin,
2007)
II. Discussion

6. GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION
The debate on global warming being fact or fiction is in fact a debate on what exact factors
contribute to the acceleration of the melting glaciers and the unexplained changes in weather.
There is plenty of evidence to substantiate the fact that the glaciers are indeed melting more
rapidly than a hundred years ago, and in many areas over the world weather has become more
and more unpredictable and violent.
A. Melting Glaciers
The Uppsala Glacier in Argentina is more than a thousand years old and is showing
major evidence of melting while the Perito Moreno Glacier also in Argentina is
thriving in defiance of the global climate change. Experts at the University of Alaska
Fairbanks claim that due to increase in heavy precipitation in the area and strong cold
winds, the glacier seems to be getting reinforced. (World’s 7 Largest Glaciers by
Continent, 2009)
B. Unpredictable weather
Undeniably we have been experiencing extreme weather changes such as heat waves,
droughts and killer storms like Katina which wiped out New Orleans. Isn’t this fact
enough for us to look for solutions instead of laying blame on who or what is
responsible?
III. Conclusion
The real issue is the identification of the economic impact of these changes we are seeing
now due to global warming and what is yet to come. More importantly the need to
implement policy changes in the way we run our governments and do business, not to combat
global warming, but to ensure that our economies survive.

7. GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION
Reference
Durkin, M. (2007). THE GREAT GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE (2007). Retrieved from Movies Found
Online: http://www.greatglobalwarmingswindle.co.uk/
Global Warming & Climate Change. (2012, March 12). Retrieved from New York Times: Science:
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/topics/globalwarming/index.html
Global Warming. (2012, March). Retrieved from Natural Resources Defence Council:
http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/
Global Warming: Frequently Asked Questions. (2012). Retrieved from NOAA: National Climatic Data
Center: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html
The Consequences of Global Warming. (2008, December 12). Retrieved from NRDC: Natual Resources
Defense Council: http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/fcons.asp
World’s 7 Largest Glaciers by Continent. (2009, Aprial 17). Retrieved from Green Packs:
http://www.greenpacks.org/2009/04/17/worlds-7-largest-glaciers-by-continent/