| Communications and Development |  |
Published by Communications and Development
A new website on the debate between global warming “believers” and “sceptics” has been developed by two Canterbury philosophers.
 |
| Doug Campbell contemplates global warming. |
A tearoom debate about evidence for and against climate change being a serious threat led Associate Professor Denis Dutton and lecturer Doug Campbell (Philosophy and Religious Studies) to create a website that presents both sides of the argument.
The new site, www.climatedebatedaily.com, has two main columns, one with articles and news items supporting consensus views about global warming, the other containing evidence and opinion favouring the sceptics’ position.
“As philosophers we are aware that there is an enormous amount of information and argument out there about the issue. We aim to help people make an informed decision by linking to all the best material from one site,” said Mr Campbell. “There is no other site that does this.”
Professor Dutton acknowledges the reality of climate change but questions whether the media alarmism is warranted.
“The world has been warming since 1880, but is it due to carbon emissions and is it worth the sensationalism? I wonder.”
Mr Campbell and Professor Dutton are excited by a site that does not support any one position.
“Philosophy involves independent thinking. We are not trying to manipulate people to decide one way or another, but to present the best arguments for both sides. I do think there should be more open mindedness about this issue,” Mr Campbell said.
Each day both Professor Dutton and Mr Campbell update the site with new material. Experienced in website development, Professor Dutton said that it was essential to have a current site that is simple in design.
“We have been extremely pleased with the response we have had. We get around 2000 views per day and have been visited from all around the world, even including Greenland,” said Professor Dutton.
Planned future developments include a page that will rank the arguments in order of merit and a predictions page. The predictions page will note predictions that scientists have made and keep track of whether they turn out to be accurate.
“It’s been a lot of fun. I think we’re both learning a lot from this,” said Mr Campbell.
For further information please contact:
Jane Lucas
Communications Officer
University of Canterbury
Ph (03)364 2987 ext 6072
jane.lucas@canterbury.ac.nz