Instigator / Con
14
1702
rating
77
debates
70.13%
won
Topic
#2840

Resolution: Air pollution is caused by human use of fossil fuels

Status
Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics
Better arguments
6
0
Better sources
4
0
Better legibility
2
0
Better conduct
2
0

After 2 votes and with 14 points ahead, the winner is...

fauxlaw
Parameters
Publication date
Last updated date
Type
Standard
Number of rounds
3
Time for argument
One week
Max argument characters
15,000
Voting period
One month
Point system
Multiple criterions
Voting system
Open
Contender / Pro
0
1553
rating
24
debates
56.25%
won
Description

Resolution: Air pollution is caused by human use of fossil fuels

Description:

Air pollution is caused by human use of fossil fuels. That is, by use of petroleum, natural gas, and/or coal.

Con BoP will be to argue against the Resolution. I am Con.

Pro’s BoP will be to argue for the Resolution. My opponent is Pro.

Definitions:

Air pollution: Pollutant in the natural atmosphere of Earth. Note: For purposes of this debate, “the natural atmosphere of Earth” is defined as the air from seal level [or beneath in consideration of all portions of land mass beneath sea level], to roughly 100 miles above sea level. Further, the natural atmosphere is understood to be composed of 78% Nitrogen, 21 % oxygen, 0.9% Argon, and smaller amounts of trace gaseous elements, plus some gasses, typically referenced as “greenhouse gasses,” [GHGs] consisting of carbon dioxide [CO2], Nitrous oxide [N2O], methane [CH4], and ozone [O3], when these gasses, combined, represent no more than 0.1% of the atmosphere. Pure water vapor [H2O], which varies in percentage on a daily basis, is not included in the definition of pollutant. Included in the definition, and therefore counted as pollutants, are GHGs [as noted above] exceeding the 0.1% concentration. Other trace pollutants [dust, etc] will be considered as natural because they occur naturally [by wind], but generally do not affect sea level earth temperatures by atmospheric solar heat retention as caused by excess concentrations of GHGs], particularly as the effect does not endure over long periods of time.

Caused: past and present sense of the intransitive verb, to cause, which is to be the cause of; to effect, bring about, produce, induce, make. [OED]

Use [n]: Senses relating to utilization, employment, application. [OED]

Human: All members of the genus, Homo sapiens.

Fossil fuels: Energy sources, to wit, petroleum products, natural gas, coal extracted for use by all current means by humans.

Debate protocol

Three-round debate.

R1, R2: Argument, rebuttal, defense

R3: No new argument; rebuttal, defense, conclusion

All argument, defense, rebuttal, and sourcing will be listed within the context of the debate argument rounds only, except sourcing may also be listed within comments within the debate file to conserve maximum space for argumentation, but only during the argumentation’s three rounds. Neither participant may consult with any person associated with DART to serve as a sourced citation as a feature of participant’s argument.

No waived rounds. No more than one round may be forfeited, or forfeiture of entire debate will result. Concession in any round is a debate loss.

No declaration of victory will be made but in the 3rd round. No declaration of assumption of the opponent’s concession or forfeit in any round. These conditions will be obvious to voters only by either participant’s own declaration.

Arguments, rebuttals, defenses, or conclusions may not address voters directly for voting suggestions beyond statement of validity for arguments, et al, made in all rounds. Participants may encourage voters/readers to read/examine any portion of, or entire rounds.

Note: this debate was inspired by an argument in another debate regarding nuclear vs. fossil fuels.

Criterion
Con
Tie
Pro
Points
Better arguments
3 point(s)
Better sources
2 point(s)
Better legibility
1 point(s)
Better conduct
1 point(s)
Reason:

Full forfeit

Criterion
Con
Tie
Pro
Points
Better arguments
3 point(s)
Better sources
2 point(s)
Better legibility
1 point(s)
Better conduct
1 point(s)
Reason:

Pro chose to not pollute the argument section with any of his words... FF