Opening Statement:
With the global population reaching critical mass, energy needs are rapidly rising. It is essential that natural gas becomes a greater percent of the global energy portfolio in order to ensure a sustainable future.
Some may say that the burning of natural gas emits dangerous levels of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere; this may have been true but is not anymore, large corporations are making huge efforts to become more energy efficient and environmental friendly. Not only that but it also burns about 80% cleaner than coal or oil which also means that it has way less carbon emissions than either of the sources. There are ways of reducing the carbon emissions, and are still ways being developed that could effectively reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by 80%.
Another large concern that the public seems to have is the contamination that takes place from oil fracking. This is a minor issue than has multiple answers but the biggest thing to remember is that this usually occurs at depths around 4,000ft below the ground.
What if I told you that a coal plants efficiency rate was 33% and that a Prius passes the coal plant at 40% when a natural gas power plant has efficiency rate of 60% and that a coal plant doesn’t only produce less energy but is way worse for the environment as well.
While power plants may be harmful to the environment they are also the most effective and efficient way to produce energy for our day to day use.
Some may say that the burning of natural gas emits dangerous levels of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere; this may have been true but is not anymore, large corporations are making huge efforts to become more energy efficient and environmental friendly. Not only that but it also burns about 80% cleaner than coal or oil which also means that it has way less carbon emissions than either of the sources. There are ways of reducing the carbon emissions, and are still ways being developed that could effectively reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by 80%.
Another large concern that the public seems to have is the contamination that takes place from oil fracking. This is a minor issue than has multiple answers but the biggest thing to remember is that this usually occurs at depths around 4,000ft below the ground.
What if I told you that a coal plants efficiency rate was 33% and that a Prius passes the coal plant at 40% when a natural gas power plant has efficiency rate of 60% and that a coal plant doesn’t only produce less energy but is way worse for the environment as well.
While power plants may be harmful to the environment they are also the most effective and efficient way to produce energy for our day to day use.
Closing statement:
While Natural Gas power plants might have a disadvantage to our environment, it is the best we have right now, for how large of a scale of energy that needs to be produced. Not only that, but the future for natural gas seems to have a cleaner and clearer focal point than any other. If greenhouse gas emissions can be brought down than there would be no other large industrial source of energy that could even match that of a natural gas power plant.
Debate video:
Reflection:
-What motion did you debate and what side of the debate were you arguing? What was your initial position on the motion: for, against or undecided? Final position? Discuss how your position on the motion changed over the course of this project. What arguments, evidence and reflections on place either caused you to question your position, change your mind or solidified your opinion?
I debated in behalf of pro natural gas. I defended the point that natural gas power plants have way less emissions than a coal plant. I was initially defending the efficiency of the plants.
-What arguments and pieces of evidence do you find to be strongest for each side of the motion? How was the performance in the debate. What aspects went well? What aspects did not go as well as you would have liked? If you had a chance to do it again what would you do differently?
- What question(s) would you like to research further to have better understanding of energy issues? They can be related to the motion but do not need to be.
- If you argued for the side of the motion you take, describe how it was to intellectually engage with someone who disagreed with you. How does the personal environmental ethic and sense of place you developed in Humanities inform and affect the position you took on the motion?
-Perform a fact check on two statements made by yourself, your opponents or your teammates during the debate. Clearly indicate the statements you are checking and what you discovered.
I debated in behalf of pro natural gas. I defended the point that natural gas power plants have way less emissions than a coal plant. I was initially defending the efficiency of the plants.
-What arguments and pieces of evidence do you find to be strongest for each side of the motion? How was the performance in the debate. What aspects went well? What aspects did not go as well as you would have liked? If you had a chance to do it again what would you do differently?
- What question(s) would you like to research further to have better understanding of energy issues? They can be related to the motion but do not need to be.
- If you argued for the side of the motion you take, describe how it was to intellectually engage with someone who disagreed with you. How does the personal environmental ethic and sense of place you developed in Humanities inform and affect the position you took on the motion?
-Perform a fact check on two statements made by yourself, your opponents or your teammates during the debate. Clearly indicate the statements you are checking and what you discovered.