November 2008

Global Warming - The Debate

Dr. Eugene Cordero and Dr. Alexander Gershenson debate Dr. Dennis Hollars and Robert Cohen, M.S. on Global Warming - Manmade or not manmade!

"Global Warming - The Debate," on November 18th was the first debate sponsored by The Conservative Forum of Silicon Valley, and 660 people attended, with 260 paid attendees and 400 students in attendance.  In good conservative fashion, all four participants were treated in a fair and balanced manner. Two college professors and two local scientists squared off.

Dr. Eugene Cordero and Dr. Alexander Gershenson, both professors at San Jose State University, argued there is a preponderance of evidence leading scientists to believe that global warming is indeed manmade. While indicating that it could not be determined with 100% certainty, they are convinced by the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Dr. Dennis Hollars and Robert Cohen, M.S. showed facts and graphs indicating that CO2 is a very small part of what goes into temperature, and pointed out many weaknesses in the way temperature is measured in different parts of the world. They debated the facts, fallacies and forces behind the factions in this global discourse. 

The debate was well received; and it was a successful evening by any standard. All Four debaters indicated a great depth of knowledge on the subject of global warming. Our moderator, Genelle Austin-Lett, a debate coach and head of Forensics at San Jose State University, did an outstanding job of facilitating the debate.

Perhaps the most valuable benefit was approximately 400 college students received a new perspective on the topic of man-made global warming.  While not everyone changed their position on the issue, the largest group of hands went up when they were asked by Genelle at the end of the debate, “How many went from thinking global warming was man-made to either being unsure, or now feeling global warming is NOT man-made?"  About thirty people raised their hands on that question. 

The Conservative Forum of Silicon Valley was proud to have presented this debate, and we hope to present more debates in the future.

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