Rules
to Remember
If you believe the climate is changing because
of natural factors like sun spot activity, etc., and that man’s behavior is an
insignificant contributor, then you must convince those who have been indoctrinated
to believe the opposite. To do so, be sure to insert the word “man-made” whenever
necessary into the argument.
While debating the topic do not
get into the weeds. It is not necessary and will only muddy the waters.
As much as is possible ask
questions rather than make declarative statements.
Finally, stay cool. Do not raise
your voice or use expletives.
How
this might work.
Someone makes a comment about how doomed we are because of manmade
climate change and how important it is to do x, y, and z in order to save the
planet.
You ask…
QUESTION 1: “Do you realize the
planet has experienced many ice ages followed by warming periods in the
past-long before man existed or before humans had any carbon footprint? (The
assumption is they will answer yes.)
QUESTION 2: So
why do you think man’s behavior is the cause of global warming or cooling today
and more importantly why do you think anything we can do can override the huge
impact of Mother Nature? (They may start to spew irrelevant info. If so, remind
them you agreed in the previous question that before man arrived on the scene
the planet had warming and cooling periods. Then repeat question 2).
If this does not give them pause, question 3 should take the
wind out of their sails.
Question 3: So, if you feel so
passionately, that by changing our behavior we can stop Man-made Climate
Change, what freedoms are you willing to give up to “save the planet”? Do you
and your family rigorously and regularly ration your water use, buy your
clothes at second-hand stores, refuse to use AC, ride your bikes to work and
all errands, do you avoid vacation trips, do you grow your own food, wash your
clothes by hand and hang them on the clothes line to dry, do you live in a “tiny
house”, or do you just want politicians to pass feel-good legislation or worse
yet, legislation which deprives the rest of us of our liberty?
After letting them squirm a bit, you could just say, of course
none of this would help. MAN MADE Climate Change does not exist. The good news
is man’s activity is not causing the climate to change so all of this is a
waste of time anyway.
Note: You or your fellow debater might be tempted to suggest
technologies, like “clean coal technology” or using alternative energies like
wind and solar could solve the problem. To
go down this path again implies man can do something to stop Mother Nature from
changing the climate. Do not go there nor let yourself be drug there. That is
where you end up in the weeds!
Summary: Protecting the environment in many cases is a very
good thing, but doing so will NOT stop the Earth from warming. It will,
however, if the Progressives have their way, be the excuse used to steal all of
our liberties.
