The "If you don't give me an alternative [that I, as a final arbiter, can decide not to accept as valid]" straw man argument has been often used by Obama and is now widely adopted by liberal/progressive/socialist/Democratic disciples as a way to brand the opponents as "deniers" and thus avoid the real arguments against their position. If you have more than one alternative explanation, then you are also inconsistent and incohesive (because there can be only one explanation — their theory) and thereby all the other arguments are "deemed" invalid.
Or, as former CEO of Netscape Jim Barksdale said, ""If we have data, let's look at data. If all we have are opinions, let's go with mine."
Which is why it is impossible to debate a liberal (progressive). They get to determine what you mean.
[Dec 5, 2015] Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) says climate change poses “major” national security threat to the U.S.
“I mean, we’re talking about, according to the CIA, future, major national security issues when people are forced to migrate because their countries or their land are flooded, they can’t grow food,” Sanders said at a rally in Keene, N.H., on Saturday. “We’re talking about a major, major crisis.”
The Vermont senator said there is no longer any debate among scientists on what causes climate change and what its consequences will be.
“The debate is over. Climate change is real, it is caused by human activity, and it is already causing profound disturbances all over America and all over the world,” he said.
Sanders slammed the Republican Party for “rejecting science” on the issue of climate change.
“Somehow on this issue of climate change, an entire, major political party is rejecting science, and that is a very dangerous thing to do,” he said.
He accused Republicans of being beholden to special interests in the fossil fuel lobby.
Sanders’ remarks come amid the COP21 climate change talks in Paris, which President Obama attended earlier this week.
World leaders reached an agreement on a tentative carbon emissions reduction deal Saturday.”
http://time.com/4128624/hillary-clinton-climate-change/
Hillary: “........As President, I will protect and build on the progress President Obama has made at home. I will set ambitious goals-to see 500 million solar panels installed within four years and enough renewable electricity to power every home in America within 10 years. I’ll also pursue a new North American Climate Compact, because the United States, Canada and Mexico should work together to build a clean energy future for our continent.
And the Republican deniers, defeatists and obstructionists should know-their cynical efforts will fail. Not only are they on the wrong side of science and of history, they are increasingly on the wrong side of their own voters, as a majority of Republicans accept the science of climate change, and support solutions like clean energy.
We must reject the false choice between combating climate change and fostering strong economic growth. If any country can prove that, it’s the United States. Under President Obama, we’re leading the world in the fight against climate change. I won’t let anyone to take us backward, deny our economy the benefits of harnessing a clean energy future, or force our children to endure the catastrophe that would result from unchecked climate change.
Once again, the world looks to Paris-this time in hope. Global challenges demand global solutions. The fight against climate change will be long. It will take the efforts of every country, every industry, and every community. It will take the leadership of every President. But at last-in Paris-the framework of a lasting solution is within reach. We must seize this moment. - Hillary Clinton [Nov 29, 2015]