Weather and Climate:

Discussion and critical thinking:

Topic:  Are humans causing global warming or not?

Read the articles attached below.  Look for specific evidence that supports one claim or another about whether climate is warming due to human-produced CO2 or not.  Don't be vague or general.  The purpose of this exercise is to gain skill in reading scientific evidence targeting a non-scientist audience and separating the evidence from the claim.  Try to find, and thoroughly understand, 2 pieces of evidence (either 2 from one viewpoint, or 1 from each).  This needs to be done before coming to class.

1)  Discuss the evidence with your group, including the validity of the arguments and the significance of the evidence.

2)  Then, discuss what U.S. policy should be and the impact of science on that policy.

3)  We will also discuss this briefly with the full class.

The two articles below from The World & I, Dec. 1997, p 158-165, address the statement
Human activities will warm surface temperatures 2 degrees F by 2050.
NO.
     S. Fred Singer, 1997
page 1
page 2
page 3

YES.
  MacCracken, 1997
page 1
page 2
page 3

Microsoft Word version:  estclimatedebate.doc

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