Environment Debate Topics — page 12

625 debate topics, all ages. Debatable motions with arguments for and against. Open the arguments below, pick one at random, or present them full-screen.

All agesDebatePage 12 of 13

551.
Nuclear energy is a net benefit to society
For
I'm disapointed that my opponent had to forfeit. In conclusion Nuclear Energy is cheaper than other energy sources, the waste is smaller and easier to manage than the waste of other energy sources, and Nuclear energy is perfectly safe as long as proper safety procedures as taken.
The Chernobyl plant was manned by untrained personal, was built in inadequate housing for a nuclear power plant and had poor safety standards.[1] About 30 died in the disaster with thousands of cases of cancer due to the disaster [1]. Since then there have been no deaths…
Against
In the catastrophic events such as Chernobyl disaster, the damage and cost are unbearable. German Environment Minister has stated that "potential human costs of atomic power make it unaffordable over the long term".Nuclear waste is increasing considerably and experts predict…
Nuclear energy used in reactors is not a benefit to the society because of its cost, health risks and waste problem. We need to find an alternative form of energy other than this energy.
552.
Corn ethanol will not meaningfully increase US energy security
For
Round 1. For acceptance/questions only. Corn Ethanol is defined as a fuel produced by the fermentation of sugars, etc. of the corn itself. Debate excludes cellulosic ethanol. 'Good choice' means that it is an economically viable fuel which succeeds at its intentions: namely,…
First, your counter-arguments. Alright, your first point: basically what I said is that using ethanol decreases the fuel efficiency of vehicles. Most people would generally say that 26 mpg is efficient (many small cars get this), but few would consider 17 mpg to be efficient,…
Against
I have accepted to argue with you, but I refuse to back up my claims and hold the burden of proof on you.Argument:To discern whether corn ethanol is effcientt, good for the environment, and will increase US energy security. I must first explain what corn, ethanol, and corn…
Sorry about the forfeit, I assumed I had more time.Since I failed my previous argument and do not want to re-write it, I will argue for round 3 and you can just feel proud about your arguments." Putting aside the fact that anthropogenic global warming is still largely n doubt…
553.
Cloud seeding should be used to combat drought
For
Well yes, silver iodine may be lethal, but is usually fairly diluted, according to the "Sierra Mountain Watershed Survey." Also, dry ice and other materials could be used.
I see you copy-pasted your argument from ranches.org. Well done for citing it though. Anyway, we could use other methods of seeding such as dry ice, which produces a similar result as silver iodine. And, according to "Sierra Lakes Chemistry Study," silver iodine is not harmful…
Against
Since you have failed to give me an example of an instance where another material has been used instead of silver iodide and was successful, i'll have to ignore that argument. You stated yourself it was lethal. It doesn't matter if the chemical is fairly diluted, it is still…
I would like to stretch my argument on Silver Iodide before continuing, for you seem to not understand how dangerous this chemical is. As for the Sierra Lake study, I would appreciate it if you left a link to this source because I can't see where it ever gives that information.…
554.
Human activity is seriously damaging the Earth
For
bro
Im wining
Against
Get more easy life, get more knowledge and more entertainmant
555.
Developed countries should pay most of the green transition's cost
For
Finally
Arg
Against
developing countries has to bare a larger cost of greening as they are in a stage of growth and the new laws which comes up will effect their growth
556.
Population is a serious concern
For
You stated why we shouldn't be concerned, not why we aren't concerned. May I point out you already conceeded and even said "congratulations on the free win" in the comments?You state that the population will start declining while the population rises to 10 billion by the year…
This debate seems to have sunk, as you did not post any main arguments. I will still answer your question though.I am concerned about the population because it will affect me during my life span. I still have a good 60 years to go, and I will witness about 11 billion people. I…
Against
"May I point out you already conceeded and even said "congratulations on the free win" in the comments?"Not a concession, just speculation. "You state that the population will start declining while the population rises to 10 billion by the year 2100. Both arguments cross…
I did make main arguments. They fundamentally prove that population is not a concern. In fact nothing is really a concern. Something can be concerning but it inevitably is not a concern because we are all limited in existence. I think the only thing that would be a concern is…
557.
Snakes should become extinct
For
A lot of countries don't have honey badgers, so that won't matter. Most people I've met hate snakes, and will always try to either shoo them away or even throw it if possible. Snakes are nothing to a lot of people, and should become extinct.
Snakes are horrible, disgusting, ugly and vile looking creatures. I'm glad for anyone to hunt them and kill them. Hopefully they will become extinct too. They do nothing. What do they do? NOTHING! They eat and that's it, nothing more. The damn greedy things can extend their…
Against
"A lot of countries don't have honey badgers, so [their extinction] won't matter." Many countries have snakes, so, by your logic, their extinction will matter. "Most people I've met hate snakes, and will always try to either shoo them away or even throw it if possible. Snakes…
While snakes are disgusting, they certainly aren't the most disgusting, they keep down the population of the worst creature to ever roam the Earth... "The Common Egg-eater (Dasypeltis scabra) eats only birds' eggs." [1] Plus, the snake is the main source of food for the honey…
558.
Human population growth is a serious threat to the environment
For
I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave. - Castor Troy Well I hope you come back to the site.
I shoulda made mashed potatoes
Against
without reducing rapid population growth , it will be impossible to solve the worlds global challenges Agree, Disagree,or Neutral? Tell me why
559.
Bottled water is more harmful than tap water
For
In response to my opponents challenge. "Campylobacter infects about 50,000 people a year in England and Wales, far more than better-known organisms such as salmonella. Yet until the mid-Seventies it was virtually unheard of. epidemiologist Dr Meirion Evans. " "The results, in…
Many bottled waters contain toxins, even if they've nixed BPA. "Bottled water companies increasingly use BPA-free plastic, but laced into plastic bottles are other chemicals that can seep out if bottles are exposed to heat or sit around for a long time. Some of these chemicals…
Against
Thanks to my opponent for her round.Before continuing, I'd like to request that you show your opponents a little more respect in your argumentation. I've had a look at some of your other debates, and you do the same thing: copy and paste quotations for the absolute vast bulk of…
However, I don't know which debate they were participating in, because it certainly wasn't this one. The resolution as proposed by my opponent and accepted by me is: Bottled water is harmful. As there was no disagreement, the definition stands that harmful means injurious and…
560.
Human activities are the main cause of global warming
For
Okay, so I would like to agree with all of your definitions starting off, and we are going to keep the terms so we don't have definition clashes (like value clashes except more annoying…just kidding I love clashes of any kind that is why I debate) I would like to quickly define…
Against
wow Krebs, way to show up BUDDY. If we were in a real debate round I would have to insist that I take this match because of my opponents lack of second speech. Because of this, I have nothing to rebutt.
i'd like to refute my opponents points and then return back to defending mine. regarding my opponents first point, his point simply stated that humans pollute the earth. duh. of course human pollute the earth but this evidence is not conclusive enough to state that they are the…
561.
Governments should promote natural gas vehicles
For
Natural gas vehicles have been around for decades
Odors added to natural gas to enable human detection
Against
NGV's may reduce emissions, but still contribute to global warming
Unregulated natural gas car conversions can be dangerous
562.
The world should stop using oil and gas
For
Oil/gas are prude inefficient resources that have only brought war and greed wherever they are found besides there is already more efficient cleaner better sources of energy like water,nuclear,fusion,solar etc.. the list goes on even the air in the atmosphere can be used as a…
Against
Thank you for reading.
Please carry on my arguments.
563.
Population growth makes environmental protection pointless
For
Water , oil and food are all finite and should be protected. However, the population of this Planet will soon exhaust all of these in its demands .The Elephant in the room is shouting but no one can here it. 9 billion people will soon be here. Don't bother about the future.…
Thank you for partly agreeing with my argument in that the future situation might be terrible but that us human beans will survive , though in smaller numbers. My point is why should I bother about any ecological , environmental fussing when we are all heading off to Hell in a…
Against
Food is not finite because it can be grown and reproduced. Oil is finite but there are very many other sources of energy that could be used. Water is finite but is "recycled" by nature and fresh water can be filtered out of the oceans. There are millions of acres of fertile…
Green ideas are not limited to recycling and we are arguing about other environmental things as well. My point stands that in order for ANYONE to survive, we need resources, and the environment is resources. If we put no effort into conserving our environment, then there is no…
564.
All CO2 emissions should stop immediately to save the planet
For
No global warming theoreticist, or climate changologist, would deny that CO2 is a destructive gas, one which we exhale thousands of times daily. Their breath is better then most, that is why they fly in jets.
CO2 is killing the planet, all breathing things, except those that know this, should stop or do less of it right now, to save the planet for those that know this. That is the global warmists, (er,... climate changologists?) status quo, and you will better off if you are one of…
Against
CO2 is destructive to the OZone layer, and hetrotrophes on the planet, there's no doubt. But this rock evolving around the sun will be hear no matter how much CO2 is in the air. The lives on the planet may go away, but the ball going aorund the sun will not.
Completely cutting off CO2 emissions would actually harm the world. Also, the planet itself is not in danger. If there was nothing but CO2 in the atmosphere, there would still be a huge rock floating around the sun at the pace of 365 days, just without a lot, if not all living…
565.
The EU should abandon nuclear energy
For
Nuclear energy goes against Green World
Nuclear energy in Europe is currently considered to be dangerous
Against
Phasing nuclear out would be too expensive
Highly efficient when operating at high rates
566.
The Earth is not overpopulated
For
I. OvercrowdingSix acres is clearly enough room for a person and the animals inhabiting his surrounding environment to be at peace. The addition of one person into an ecosystem that size is hardly going to be an issue. In addition, consider my other statistic that each person…
It seems my opponent has misunderstood his burden. This debate is not about whether certain cities or countries are overpopulated. It is more broad than that. It is about whether the entire Earth is overpopulated. Thus, my opponent's burden is greater than simply showing that…
Against
I will provide my defense, and head onto to the voting period. Thanks for the debate! !! DefenseBurdensPro says that I misunderstood my burden. Pro says that it is not about some cities overpop. , it is about the whole world overpopulated. The definiton of the debate is…
I will post my rebuttals in the debate, and not post any defense of my case. BurdensThe Burdens are that I have to prove one part of the Earth overcrowded, with all animals, etc. DefinitonsThis isn't really an argument. It is just an expand of the definitons, and the basic…
567.
Oil companies should pay full reparations for environmental disasters
For
I rest my case.
Clearly my opponent has no respect for this debate. the fact that the spill has been capped means nothing to the thousands that have already been put out of work and the hundreds of animals that have been killed by this oil spill. As my opponent pointed out, this spill lasted…
Against
My oppoent obviously does not watch C-SPAN or the news to hear that today after 87 days their is no more oil leaking into the gulf.
BP Should not because of the fact that it is the fault of the Interior and Energy secretary for not doing their job as per the oath of office. These secretarys should have notified Congress and then congress should have supenoa BP. Secondly it is the fault of the Worker who…
568.
Industry should be held responsible for animal habitat loss
For
Can you please just clear up the topic?
Ummm.... Ok?
Against
more things on the argument look up wwf the wallrus story
569.
Feral house cats should be exterminated
For
v
Feral house cats are vermin because they cause disease in humans [4]. , destroy wildlife, and even cause extinction of species. [5]. The feral cats should be exterminated because there are so many and destroying them would cease the previously mentioned detrimental affects.…
Against
Con contends that Pro is either: A. A troll who has nothing better to do with his life than post BS pointless debates and play mind games B. a psychopath who wants to kill animals before moving on to people
570.
Humans are responsible for global warming
For
"As for humans being the cause of the "rise" in carbon emissions, that is entirely false, due to the fact that as fast as we are putting CO2 into the atmosphere, trees and other plant based life are effectively weeding out the extra CO2 because they need it to survive, thus…
I agree that carbon emissions have been rising before modern technology, but humans are the cause of it rising at such a rate as it is now. At this moment the best us (humans) can do to limit global warming we would still be at a two degree world temperature rise. This doesn't…
Against
As for humans being the cause of the "rise" in carbon emissions, that is entirely false, due to the fact that as fast as we are putting CO2 into the atmosphere, trees and other plant based life are effectively weeding out the extra CO2 because they need it to survive, thus…
It's been said that humans are responsible for "Global Warming" due to our carbon emissions and high atmospheric pollution rate. While I agree that we are polluting the atmosphere at an extremely high rate, I disagree that, our carbon emissions are to blame. According to…
571.
Deep water offshore oil drilling should be allowed
For
We the pro agree with the resolution Resolved: Allowing deep water offshore oil drilling is in the best interest of the United States. We offer the following definitions Allowing-to permit From Merriam Webster dictionary Best Interest- Authority delegated for taking any action…
Against
My opponent has conceded that deep water offshore oil drilling will be our apocalypse.
Offshore drilling causes nuclear warfare and will lead to the extinction of humanity.
572.
Neonicotinoid pesticides should be banned to protect bees
For
The second round is constructive speeches, no rebutting shall occur. The third round will the rebuttals. You may only respond to your opponent's argument and extend your case in these speeches. The fourth round will be the closing statements. Each side can: Respond to…
The second round is constructive speeches, no rebutting shall occur. The third round will the rebuttals. You may only respond to your opponent's argument and extend your case in these speeches. The fourth round will be the closing statements. Each side can: Respond to…
Against
The Pro has the burden of proof. I have the burden of clash (prove the Pro wrong). I win if I prove we don't need to save the bees, if the harms of saving the bees outweigh the pros, or if I prove banning neonicotinoids will not save the bees. My opponent wins if he…
I will be arguing for the points that neonicotinoids are either not the problem, the bees are not worth saving through this method, or that the cons of enacting the resolution are not worth the pros.
573.
Human-caused catastrophic global warming is a hoax
For
Con, Please post your argument!!!
Since my opponent forfeited the round, I will continue to post my arguments. Peter Taylor, an environmentalist himself , said in his book CHILL, "There have always been uncertainties as to what drives global temperature and the climate feedbacks. It is very obvious that they…
Against
Before we begin, we must first define what we mean by 'global warming'. According to several sources, including www.nwrc.usgs.gov, global warming is an increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere - I'm sure we can all stand common ground to that.…
574.
We should seriously plan for next-generation farming
For
1) Con exceeds limits. 2) Con fixates on H & N. 3) Con also fixates on Empire 4) Con does not attempt to address the basis of the debate. 5) Con does not attempt to address any of the practicalities of next generation farming. 6) Con subverts. 7) Con seeks to introduce their…
Empire is a concept to which we apply mental imagery and come up with an assumption. An NGO. Is just the same. Which do we assume is the more sinister? Concepts vary as a result of individual programming. (Currently problematic) The reality is; social organisation must be…
Against
You are voting Con in this debate for 3 reasons 1. They concede that you should reject them for supporting the Empire 2. They concede that all of their impacts are inevitable in the world of the Empire this means that they don"t get any advantage of doing their plan 3. They…
To address the claim that an NGO would just become part of the Empire. Hardt and Negri would never conclude than an NGO used in direct opposition to Empire would be bad. However for the sake of this debate so it does not get confusing, I will not be extending the Counter Plan.…
575.
Recycling should be compulsory for all recyclable waste
For
Welcome to this debate on whether it should be compulsory to recycle recyclable material and waste.Round 1 is for defining the argument. I define compulsory as parallel with the law, recycle as either (a) deliver it to a place where it is recycled, or(b) recycle it yourself.I…
Thank you for your arguments in this debate. Yes, recycling plants do cost more than they save, but landfills, although quick and cheap, leave the left garbage produce METHANE which is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.My opponents arguments are in bold."Some things have…
Against
We as a country do a lot to try to recycle, but my opponent's suggestion that we should make an effort to legalize and punish those who do not recycle or reuse *everything* is absurd. There are many things that others can subjectively think are useful but it is irrational to…
Thanks to my opponent for his post: 1. Recycling plants cost more money than they save as a rule. Reusing waste requires work to restore them to usable condition. 2. Some things have a use, but in order to reuse it, we either have to do a lot of extra work, a lot of extra…
576.
The US should require all new passenger vehicles to run on alternative fuels by 2040
For
.. ..
The proposed law only requires new cars to be powered by alternative fuel sources, it would not make driving oil powered cars illegal. The US isnt trying to change all the cars in the country because this law only requires FUTURE cars to be powered on cleaner fuel sources.…
Against
Just so you know, the debate topic is the Federal Government, which is also known as United States central government.This means that all U.S. citizens will lose the rights to drive oil cars, and cannot drive a car unless it's ran by alt. fuel. This will be the biggest…
Thank you for responding to my argument.First of all, this mandate will consume LOTs of money, and is bad for the poorer people.This mandate means that no citizens will no longer use the oil cars. Then, how about the people who has oil cars that costs thousands of money? And…
577.
Keeping marine mammals in captivity should be banned
For
Once upon a time in a land far far away....
I would be more than happy to revisit this topic in a future debate. My trip will end in roughly three weeks. Perhaps then?
Against
It is unfortunate this debate has to end.
I would first like to clarify that SeaWorld is in fact apart of the AZA and is fully accredited according to the AZA website. . https://www.aza.org...
578.
Global warming should be taken less seriously
For
I believe that global warming has been taken much too seriously. We don't need to worry so much about it, and it costs too much for the government to be spending money on it that it doesn't even have. Here Are My Reasons: 1. Global Warming doesn't even exist. Now, this sounds…
Against
Extend all arguments and rebuttals. In conclusion, Global Warming should be taken seriously.
Extend all arguments and rebuttals.
579.
Global warming is primarily caused by humans
For
Like many people my opponent is mislead to believe that Global Warming means the earth is just getting hotter. The word "Global warming" can be misleading as well. But many parts of the Earth have gotten colder because of Global Warming. The reason being pressure changes in…
Global warming is man made.
Against
Regarding the copy-pasta'd youtube video: I would suggest you not just post links without saying what is in them since that is not debating. I am able to do the same thing but I'd rather not since it lowers both our enjoyment. Regarding your argument: You provided no definition…
First off I must say that my opponent holds the BOP since he made the claim that global warming is man made. But in this first round I will bring forth one piece of evidence but I reserve the right to bring more in later. Warming is a myth: There is no scientific consensus and…
580.
Governments should act to stop global warming
For
As I truly do not have enough time over the next two days to fully refute, I will refute your short summary. "Secondly, like I've stated before, humans are adapting and evolving, and they've never stopped. Global warming is just one more thing to adapt to." Now, when is the…
First of all, it is a proven fact that material possesions are quite important to the human people. They love their computers, televisions ad fine frech wines. It is human nature. you said "Global warming is a natural process and should be helped and sped up. In fact, humans…
Against
"I dont think that webbed feet are normal in humans" Webbed feet are not normal in humans... Yet... "It is predicted that the ice sheets are supposed to change" We know that... "golbal warming will happen 1.5 feet over the next thousand years," That makes no sense... Let's pull…
"Say Goodbye to French Wines Say Goodbye to Light and Dry Wines Say Goodbye to..." All those things that you list are material possessions, and are, as such, not as important as other things, like purity and friendship and etc. Global warming is a natural process and should be…
581.
Cap-and-trade carbon emissions policies are justified
For
Sorry about the forfeit KFC
I will let my opponent go first. "resolved that the cap and trade legislation of 2009 was justified" may the force be with you
Against
My opponent has made no arguments. As Instigator and Pro he has the burden of proof. I have given six well-documented reasons why the legislation is not justified. The resolution therefore fails.
My opponent made no case and no rebuttal. The resolution is negated.
582.
The world should switch to solar energy
For
You should know that earth based solar panels are not the only method of solar energy. There have been designs for a bell shaped satellite that is completely made of solar panels in geosynchronous orbit. This satellite can be adjusted so that it is in sunlight for all but 44…
I don't want anybody to think that I am trying to destroy the world, but there are some people out there who think solar energy is evil. I can almost guarantee you that they don't live in China or Mexico. If you think this is evil and I work for the government or claim…
Against
Cost is an extremely important factor when regarding energy, and orbiting solar panels are an unnecessary expense that both public and private sectors will have to pay. Panels in space deteriorate eight times faster than on earth, and repairing/replacing them would expose the…
'Going solar' is most definitely not the way to go regarding the whole world's energy use, there being other ways to utilise the natural energy around us and considering different places have weather patterns. The most popular and commonly used method of energy generation is by…
583.
Environmental sustainability and public health outweigh short-term profit
For
One last G"day, its my last argument. I'm going to only enhance this last argument, because Con hasn't responded. My whole debate was a little pessimistic, so I'm going to point out the more positive facts. Especially the growth of the production and the fall of the price of…
As my opponent forfeited, i won't be able to criticise or agree with his argument. So i'll continue, because i wasn't able to finish my last argument. Public health is often ignored and business is often a priority. The heavy industry, the leaded fuel industry, the tobacco…
Against
Hello, I want to clarify some things before we head into this debate. I am all for environmental sustainability and public health. But is it the biggest thing we need to address? I will argue it is not. I will later expand on what I mean by that. For the sake of the debate, I…
584.
Nuclear power should be banned
For
To voters, don't think that just because con cited a million lobby groups he has any credibility. He has misquoted and twisted sources, as I have shown, quoted personal opinions of lobby group members as facts, and ignored almost all of my sources. But on to what actually…
WasteLet's take a look at the total amount of byproducts produced by various forms of generating energy in the USA:Wind - nothingSolar - nothingTidal - nothingGeothermal - nothingHydroelectric - nothingNuclear - 12.3 million kilograms of toxic wasteSo the idea that nuclear…
Against
~ WASTE ~Waste for SOLAR:Solar panels contain some of the most toxic metals in the business of electricity generation. [1] These modules last about 20 years so when you throw them out you are throwing out potentially toxic waste into the environment. [1]Waste from WIND: Other…
~Refutation to the Pros case~It seems as though my opponent seems to worry about the nuclear power being weaponized, and its byproducts. He implies weaponized as he diverges into nuclear weapons, and as I stated in the definitions this debate is about electricity. R1:…
585.
Nuclear power plants should be torn down forever
For
I'd to thank MarquisX for stepping up to the challenge as I will try to say why Nuclear power Plants are bad. 1. Nuclear power plants use Uranium as fuel which is scarce and will run out in 50-60 years. Therefore Nuclear power is not a renewable source of energy 2. The problem…
hello, I am on a debate stating that power plants should be torn down because they are too dangerous to the world. I will let my opponent start whoever you are. We will begin as my opponent will say things good about nuclear power plants and I will say why they are bad. So lets…
Against
I am not an expert in nuclear energy; however I did touch upon it once in school. First I would like to clarify some terms Nuclear:–adjective 1. pertaining to or involving atomic weapons: nuclear war. 2. operated or powered by atomic energy: a nuclear submarine. 3. (of a nation…
"Cost is also one of the major disadvantages of nuclear energy. It costs between three and five billion dollars just to build a nuclear power plant. Maintenance and operating costs are also high because lots of money must be sent on safety systems in case something goes wrong."…
586.
Environmentalists chose the wrong symbol for global warming
For
I affirm the above resolution. --------------- Definitions: Environmentalists- a person concerned with the protection and preservation of the natural environment http://www.thefreedictionary.com... poster child- I am referring to the polar bear Global Warming- an increase in…
-------------------------------- POLAR BEARS: My opponent claims that polar bears will eventually die if global warming keeps going. However, as I have sourced, so will Penguins. However, penguins would have been a better choice for the reasons I discussed. There are many…
Against
Like i said before , if the public see it as dying its ok , enviromentalists ( well most of them ) have not really claimed the polar bear is dying as we speak , they claim that if something is not done and thigns continue as they are , the polar bear will become extinct in a…
You say polar bears are not the right poster child for enviromentalists. i say they are. heres why , i will present no sources though for many reasons , one their are to many mixed views about this subject and to many claimed hoaxs , also i really cant be botherd and if you…
587.
Conservation efforts to save giant pandas are not worthwhile
For
It is a scientific fact that pandas are already hopeless as a species. Other than issues with breeding that I discussed earlier, their main food is not very nutritious and they are extremely susceptible for various diseases. My opponent has very rightfully pointed out that they…
Yes, they're incredibly cute and cuddly but that is NOT a valid reason for the zoo of Edinburgh to spend millions of pounds annually in keeping them alive... Especially, in this economic state. The truth is, all around the world, conservatives have become obsessed with keeping…
Against
Raya states that 99% of species are extinct, and this is true. In fact, all species are bound for extinction. However, saying that this fact alone means we should let them go extinct without a fight is like saying that we shouldn't have hospitals because all people are going to…
Chris Packham does not seem to understand evolution on a basic level. He is, by the way, also in support of letting tigers die out because poaching has made them "worth more dead than alive." But at any rate, his claims that pandas are doomed is ridiculous. Raya is simply…
588.
Climate change is the greatest threat humanity faces
For
yuuup
Wait, my debate settings didn't work properly. Just post something inane for your argument's and i'll set another one up.
Against
Ok
Ok
589.
Governments should halt development of major oil pipelines
For
My following argument will be brief and, hopefuly, concise. I will elaborate further in the next round. Pipeline Definition"The 1,700-mile long Keystone XL Pipeline would connect the Alberta oil sand fields in Canada to refineries in Texas. The multi-billion dollar project is…
All sounds acceptable to me.i am looking forward to an educational, relevant topic especially as the collegiate debate season is about to begin. With that, I hand it over to the advocate of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Against
My opponent forfeited so he was unable to respond to my points. However, since I also forfeited we are even and I ask the voters to do the same. Since this is the final round I will as promised not introduce any new arguments. I will just ask the voters to examine the arguments…
I apologize for my forfeit. I agree with the definition presented by my opponent. First I will argue that the Keystone Pipeline is more advantageous than relying on foreign oil which constitutes a large portion of our oil [1]. While I am arguing that the government should not…
590.
Earth has stopped warming
For
Actually, global warming never existed! It was just a lie set up by the media and Greenpeace!
Against
My opponent has forfeited the round, but let me summarize my argument anyway: Statistically, a 10- or 15-year trend can differ from the underlying long-term trend, due to statistical noise. This can be observed in the data historically. When analyzed this way, recent…
The topic of debate is statistical in nature, and I expected a substantive response to that. In any case, let's examine the claim that global warming in a lie set up by the media. First, did the media participate in the discovery of global warming by Svante Arhenius in 1896?…
591.
Humans are not the main cause of global warming
For
I've learned a lot from your arguments and my own research. In this round, I will consider the objections my opponent has to my arguments. The Sun My opponent is making two mistakes. One in thermodynamics, and the other in how solar activity is measured. Solar activity is the…
In this round, I will post arguments against an anthropogenic cause to the recent global warming, and also consider as much as I can of my opponent's argument. Arguments Against Human-Caused Global Warming There are many indicators that point to CO2 emissions not being the…
Against
Thanks to subutai for providing an interesting and educational case for me to analyze and rebut!RebuttalsDue to the loose structure of my opponents case, rebutting it proves difficult, as his contentions are not itemized. Nevertheless, I am going to itemize the case, and then…
Thanks to subutai for posting an excellent opening round! I'm looking forward to this debate, as I am sure it will be an interesting one!So to kick this thing off I'd like to start by providing the readers with a quick road map of my case and how I aim to negate the given…
592.
Carbon emissions trading should be used to fight climate change
For
Emissions trading reduces economic costs of greenhouse gas emissions.
Cap-and-trade systems ensure emissions reductions to the set cap
Against
Governments under cap-and-trade systems have an incentive to "cheat"
Economic costs of cap-and-trade outweigh environmental gain
593.
Human activity is driving global climate change
For
R3 RebuttalsOpponent's statements will be in bold and italics, mine in plain text."Dr. Michael E. Mann said, "One of the simplest relationships in all of atmospheric science is that as you warm the surface, you will get more evaporation."[1]" medv4380Correct, here is why.…
Round two argumentsOutline.I. Scientific consensus.II. Co2 is the main driver.III. The Co2 is from humans in lieu of natural.IV. Other supporting evidenceV. SourcesI. Scientific consensus.Claim: A scientific consensus exists for anthropogenic climate change existence.…
Against
My opponent seems to be under the impression that just because a group of scientists believes something is true, it must be true, and listening to dissenting arguments is worthless. This is the pinnacle of group think, and science has fell victim to it before.Not too long ago,…
Dr. Michael E. Mann said, "One of the simplest relationships in all of atmospheric science is that as you warm the surface, you will get more evaporation."[1]Imagine Mann has made a mistake lead him to believe it acceptable to ostracize Nedialko T. Nikolov[5], a Scientist for…
594.
Carbon dioxide emissions cause significant ocean acidification
For
This should be an easy win. My opponent has given up already. lol
Quote - CO2, etc has caused the death of evaporation. Reply - This doesn't make any sense? Quote - Suntan lotion rarely goes that low because it is buoyant. Reply - Suntan creams are made of metallic elements. Metals are heavier than water. Studies have found trace elements of…
Against
Hello. I believe that Global warming, CO2, etc has caused the death of evaporation. Think, Oceans are dying due to coral bleaching. Suntan lotion rarely goes that low because it is buoyant. The ocean water then breaks up the sun tan lotion into normal elements of the earths…
595.
Human activity does not significantly affect global warming
For
I will be arguing that global warming is not significantly impacted by human activity, and my opponent will be arguing that humans are the cause/have a big effect on global warming. Please begin your argument.
My opponent points out that my response was significantly shorter in an attempt to make it seem weaker. Length of the response has nothing to do with the quality of it. It's not about the amount of words in your argument, it's about the amount of argument in your words. The…
Against
4R1NRC: On Ice Ages The opponent misinterprets my argument. I have stated that hypothetically, if this were a natural cycle, then the natural cycle would have started the cooling process since 1950; however, this is not the case. Without human involvement, a decline in solar…
Now, in debunking the opponent's case, we have to observe one thing; accordingly to the Industrial Revolution/Co2 release correlation graph, we can see that the Co2 release has gone outside the main tenants of the normal Co2 equilibrium, which accordingly is around (when…
596.
Global warming is real and caused by the greenhouse effect
For
I believe Global warming is true and is caused by greenhouse gases which are released into our atmosphere. I will allow my opponent to make their case before continuing on
Ok first off there was alot of Volcanic activity during the time of the little ice age and scientists believe that it was a major contributor to it being so cold because the ash is shot up into the stratosphere where it reflects the suns radiation back into space as well as the…
Against
Stashu You don't get what I mean by a "freak accident" having to happen to raise a degree. You said that the little ice age (another fact, a couple years after the volcano, it snowed red in Europe), was a freak accident, and it made the Earth a degree cooler. There is no way…
Hello stashu: Fist off, I didn't use Al Gore's movie as my resource, but I used this website, which I frogot to includ- http://www.globalwarmingheartland.org... Maybe you should check it out. "they have found a very probable cause for the little ice age and that is a vulcano…
597.
Invasive species should be killed to protect ecosystems
For
We caused the problem, it is our responsibility to fix it.
An unnatural situation requires an artificial solution.
Against
The more new extinctions their are the less diverse our world is.
Taken to its logical extreme...
598.
The Earth needs volunteers to address environmental problems
For
Bismiallah ar rahman ar rahim The Earth is in a mess and needs volunteers. Meaning, if going green is really taken seriously, we need to volunteer ourselves to cut down on our consumption and materialism, meaning, cutting down on rushing to get the latest gadgets, the biggest…
Against
Well since you have forfeited the last round you have given me an echo chamber and it hasn't really been much of a debate. I'll just build on what I have been saying before then. Since I've argued that the earth is not a mess, and within this "debate" I've done so successfully…
Well since you have forfeited this round, I'll assume everything I said in the previous round is valid as it hasn't been countered. Since the earth is not a mess, we don't need volunteers to clean it up; it's already clean by the human standard. You can't clean up a non-mess. I…
599.
The Keystone Pipeline should be approved
For
I have to forfite due to a family emergancy and limited internet access. I'm very sorry.
I would also like to say that this is my first Debate. Org debate and I would like to thank CON for being my first contender ever. Let's begin with, what I believe to be, the number one argument. .. Safety. Some might point out that by having such a large pipeline is dangerous;…
Against
Extend all arguments due to concession and FF
Hope everything works and turns out okay.
600.
Cormorant populations should be culled
For
I won
Opponant ff, I WIN
Against
Planning on visiting Canada for your next vacation? After you hear this, You might think twice. Doug Ford and the Ontario government (as you probably know, Ontario is a province in Canada) have passed a law that allows hunters to shoot mother, Father, And baby chick…

How to use these debate topics

Vote, discuss, revote. Poll the room on the motion, give 5 minutes of discussion, then vote again and look at who changed their mind.
Four corners. Label corners strongly agree → strongly disagree; people move, then each corner makes its best case.
Switch sides. Halfway through, everyone argues the side they disagree with. It sharpens listening.

Run them live

Want every person to answer on their own phone, with a timer and a live leaderboard? Use these questions in an EngageSlide Vote · Discuss · Revote — free to start.

Tick questions on any page — your set is kept while you browse (or take the first 10 here) — and they become ready-to-play slides. What is EngageSlide?

Environment Debate Topics — page 12

How to use these debate topics

Run them live

More question collections