Global warming

This is just a sample page.

It starts with very short encyclopedic entry describing the general issue. It is then followed by links to collaborative thesis statements regarding the many different ways the issue is viewed and debated. Each article will include counterpoint links to the other articles within each section.

Global Warming

To insert a comment, go into Edit mode, Select Insert, select Image "Counterpoint text.jpg" and then enter the text and link in the Caption area. In the text box, you can insert a link by selecting the link symbol, then typing in the name of the article, such as Global warming is mostly due to human activity.

Global warming, also referred to as climate change, is a term used in reference to the observations and concerns surrounding the rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system over the last several centuries.

The core controversies surrounding global warming are whether the observed changes are primarily due to human activity, most especially with regard to the increased carbon dioxide emissions that are a byproduct of burning fossil fuels.

Arguments regarding the causes of global warming

(Below is an imagined illustrative list of thesis statements and public rankings. Readers would have an option to sort the articles using various ranking metrics. In this example, QA is the ranking of registered users of the Quality of the Argument, and LA is the ranking of Level of Agreement with the argument)

• The rise in levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contributes to global warming QA: 8.6 LA: 9.2
  • Global warming is mostly due to human activity. QA: 7.8 LA: 6.3
  • Global warming is only modestly affected by human activity. QA: 7.4 LA: 5.4
  • Global warming is entirely due to the burning of fossil fuels. QA: 5.6 LA: 3.2
  • Global warming is mostly due to animal farts. QA: 0.2 LA: 0.0

• Cyclical solar radiation is the chief explanation for changes in climate QA: 4.4 LA: 2.7

Arguments regarding the severity of global warming

• Unless greenhouse gases are reduced, there will be catastrophic effects. QA: 7.8 LA: 6.3
• The global warming scare is being hyped for the financial benefits of a few. QA: 7.8 LA: 6.3