Background of global warming
Global warming can be defined as an increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere and water bodies and its corresponding effects. Over the last century, the mean temperature of the surface of the earth has risen by approximately 0.8o C, with most of the temperature increase being witnessed during the last 30 years of the century (Chapman & Walsh, 2007). There has been heated debate over the last couple of years as to whether global warming is just but a theory or a fact. Global warming is clear, and scientists are at least 90 percent sure that the increasing levels of greenhouse emissions due to human activities like deforestation and combustion of fossil fuel is the primary causation factor for global warming. This purpose of this white paper is to present the points for global warming and their respective counterpoints in order to ascertain whether global warming is a fact or fiction (Hulme, 2009).
Arguments for global warming
To demystify the controversy underlying global warming, a lot of research has been carried out in regard to understand the mechanisms of global warming. Global warming have been found to be caused by; emission of green house gases, this includes, carbon, methane and nitrous oxide. Becken & Hay (2007) argue that an increase of these gases in the atmosphere may last for a long time considering the nature of the gases. For example, they argue that carbon gas; molecular radioactive nature may be the main cause of increased heating of the earth by the sun’s radiation. This edifies the fact that an increase of carbon gas into the air can indeed change climate. Human activities such as deforestation may alter the climate conditions within a particular area, considering the cool climate that is brought by rainforest and other densely forests areas.
The effects related to global warming serves as the evidence that global warming is actually a reality, a hypothesis that has been proved by scientific research and evidence. There are a variety of effects of global warming including climatic changes, environmental changes and effect on the general ecosystem. Once the climate of a religion is altered by the global warming phenomenon, there will be effect on agriculture as plants especially crops will not withhold with the new climate changes. The snow-capped mountains are melting away increasing the level of water in the seas, causing an imbalance of the earth’s crust and so earthquakes, tsunamis have become a common occurrence. It is very clear that global warming affects mankind, the environments and the whole word in all dimension be it economic and social aspects.
Proponents of global warming also cite evidence such as increased flooding, drought, fires, melting of glaciers and that scientists have forecasted an increase of approximately 1.4o-5.8o C during the 21st century. In addition, the Arctic and the Antarctic are warming at an alarming rate. All this effects of global warming can be attributed to increasing levels of green house emissions in the atmosphere, which are mostly due to human activities. It is not just natural that the climate would change or ice capped mountains would start to melt and suddenly there occurs an increase of sea level. It is important to notice that with global developments such as industrialization, there are emission of gases into the atmosphere, emissions that would increases toxic content of carbon and other gases in excess of their normal levels and initially destroy the ozone layer (Oreskes & Conway, 2010). For precision, the impact of these gases on the ozone layer has been the main cause of heating up of the earth and gradual global warming. Scientifically proven evidence includes an increase in the temperature of the oceans, rise in seal levels, change in global climate, increased cases of floods and droughts, wild fires, increase in pollution and desertification.
Arguments against global warming
There are also diverse counter arguments regarding the reality behind global warming. Counter arguments against global warming cite that a slight increase in the global temperatures is beneficial to the natural ecosystem. Opponents of global warming claim that green house emissions such as carbon dioxide are vital for the growth of crops, and that crop require heat for growth. Increased heat translates to more crops. The fundamental argument is that if there is an increase in the sea level, there will be an increase in the oceans’ surface area, which results to increased evaporations and ultimately precipitations translating to more rain. Opponents argue that a big fuss should be created out of global warming because it is beneficial to the environment (Hulme, 2009).
Those claiming that global warming are a fiction argues that a significant percentage of scientists are not of the opinion that human activities can pose a threat or disrupt the global climate. At least 17000 scientists have petitioned through the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine claiming that there is no sufficient evidence linking human release of green house gases with increase in temperature of the atmosphere (Hulme, 2009).
Opponents of global warming also refute the subject basing on the proposition that the computer models for evaluating global climate are extremely crude to offer accurate predictions regarding the changes in the global climate in the future. The predictions of global climate rely on computer models and not past data. In addition, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has not signed their approval regarding the proposition that human activities are the core causation factors for global warming (Hulme, 2009).

Conclusion
With the worlds trend in civilization and industrial development global warming may be a phenomenon to live with for many years to come. World leading economies have noticed this and they have been greatly criticized for their participation in their lack of controlling industrial emissions. New developments like the Kyoto protocol may partly solve the riddance of global warming. However, global warming can only be controlled through better mechanism of reducing emissions in industries, re-forestation and better farming methods

References
Becken, S., & Hay, J. (2007). Tourism and climate change: risks and opportunities. New York: SAGE.
Chapman, W., & Walsh, J. (2007). A synthesis of Antactic Temperatures. Journal of Climate , 4096-4117.
Hulme, M. (2009). Why we disagree about climate change: underastanding controversey, inaction and opportunity. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Oreskes, N., & Conway, E. (2010). Merchants of Doubt: How a handful of Scientists Obscurred the truth on issues from tobbacco smoke to global warming. New York: Bloomsbury Press.