2010 Global Sustainability Summer School-Debates

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Disclaimer

The purpose of this debate is to present reasoned arguments on two sides of a critical sustainable development issue. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the individuals making the arguments. (Please feel free to edit)

Another stab at the disclaimer --The purpose of this debate is to present reasoned arguments on two sides of a complex sustainable development issue. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the individuals making the arguments. Instead, the individuals are evoking commonly cited arguments from various constituencies about the issue(s) at hand.

Main Topics

1. Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy production should not be a part of the US energy supply.

2. Innovation vs Behavior
The best way to achieve sustainability is through innovation, rather than changing consumption or behavior.

3. Climate Change
Climate change is the number one global problem that must be treated with priority.

GSSS 2010 Debate / Top-down vs. bottom-up decision making

4. Top-down decision making is the most effective strategy by which to make our social and environmental systems more resilient.

Suggested Topics Included:

– What is most important problem to deal with: emphasis on climate change versus inequality versus ...?

– Cap and trade versus carbon tax?

– Impact * Population of People on Earth *Affluence * Technology (what to lower?)

∗ Lowering consumption/changing lifestyle/cultural values versus technology?

∗ How much emphasis on population control?

– Does religion/religious institutions helpful or hurtful towards achieving sustainability?

∗ Does nation-state system play a positive or negative role on achieving sustainability?

– Is education primary in changing behavior?

– Is UNFCCC most effective way to bring about international climate policy versus focusing on G20 or smaller?

∗ Is world government feasible?

– Should developing countries have binding targets? Should there be cost-mitigation or historical costs imposed?

– Is public sector too stupid or are scientist too dumb?

– Are there intrinsic limits to forecasting?

– Can we overcome global tragedy of the commons?

– Should biofuels play a larger role?

– Should GM play a larger role?

– Is electrification requried for a high standard or living?

– Can United States / developed countries become energy independent without a significant increase in nuclear energy?

– Is sustained growth conceivable?

– Bottom up or top down method for climate change?

– Globalization: good versus bad?

– Is growth the only possible goal for society?

– Is sustainability possible? Under the current democratic system?

– Should individual nations be allowed to support geoengineering projects that might have global implications?

– Is it possible to solve global problems?

– Do we prepare for a Plan B?

– Are market mechanisms essential?

– Decentralized versus centralized energy?

– Mitigation versus adaptation?

– Is it all futile?

– How much should we try to control?

– Is sustainability static?

– Is the world our garden? Is there wilderness?

– Do we need to give up flying?

– Should there be an allocation of ecological footprint?

– Is sustainability an idealology?

- Role of local food in a global economy?