Alison Dunlap, Matt Block, Graham Richard Smith, Leah Schebil, Sam Heiler,

Taylor Hawley, Emily Bono, Trevor Baranski, Hannah Fowler, Taylor Callockio

Debate question: Do we have an ethical obligation to

drive non-gasoline-powered cars?
Affirmative team: 2 minutes opening speech (choose speaker[s] in advance) Alison
Story? Shared responsibilities in a house should be no different than living
together on the same planet.
What makes a roommate a bad roommate?
Never doing the dishes
Too pushy
Always borrowing your stuff
Summed up: Someone that is only ever thinking of themselves,
doing things without thinking about the implications it might have on
those around you.
Define we
People living in the United States
We as a country are being bad roommates
What is ethical obligation?
Moral drive to make the right choice
Who are we helping by doing this?
Future generations affected by rising temps
Helping ourselves now with pollution affecting human health (not to
mention the obesity epidemic?)
People affected by petroleum extraction
The changing environment around us from which we get everything
that we use to live is being hurt from our improper use. Abusive
relationship!
Solutions
Fuel-less cars, public transit, bikes, ect
Even just carpooling helps but its not completely a solution

Affirmative team responds : 1 minute

Wing it?

Open debate- FACTS! Hannah F, Taylor C, Matt Block

20 minutes


(No more than 1 minute per side at a time)

Delegate different veins of the argument to different people
During ice ages, CO2 levels were around 200 parts per million (ppm), and during
the warmer interglacial periods, they hovered around 280 ppm (see fluctuations
in the graph). In 2013, CO2 levels surpassed 400 ppm for the first time in
recorded history. This recent relentless rise in CO2 shows a remarkably constant
relationship with fossil-fuel burning, and can be well accounted for based on the
simple premise that about 60 percent of fossil-fuel emissions stay in the air.
https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/24/
Natural gas powered vehicles emit around 13-21 percent less greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere than gas controlled vehicles.
Natural gas rises and scatters rapidly, so in the case of a leak or emergency
venting, neighboring ecosystems and water systems are not negatively
impacted. (meaning:
Around 50 different manufacturers in the U.S. manufacture 100 designs of light
to heavy-duty NGV and engines. These vehicles include anything from small
cars, trucks, buses, and vans.
http://www.ngvamerica.org/natural-gas/environmental-benefits/

Another short term solution:

The Air Resources Board is working with the Environmental Protection Agency
and National HIghway Traffic Safety administration to propose new greenhouse
gas alternative vehicles (battery electric and fuel cell) for models in the years
2017-2025. New models will reduce CO2 emissions by 34% in 2025.
Technologically achievable
Will save money
https://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/factsheets/advanced_clean_cars_eng.p
df
Hydrogen fuel cell cars:
Driving ranges are very similar to those that are conventionally fueled
These use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, which in turn runs
a motor
This creates water and heat as a byproduct through the tailpipe instead of
CO2 ---cutting
emissions by up to 30%
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/electric-vehicles/how-do-hydrogen-fuel-cell
s-work#.Wgy1jRNSwnV


Why hydrogen fuel cells are a good alternative source:

Fuel cells do not emit harmful emissions
Hydrogen gas is not toxic
High efficiency and powerful energy production
Highly fuel efficient

Nearly one half of all Americansan estimated 150 millionlive in areas that
dont meet federal air quality standards. Passenger vehicles and heavy-duty
trucks are the main sources of this pollution, which includes ozone, particulate
matter, and other smog-forming emissions.
The health risks of air pollution are extremely serious. Poor air quality increases
respiratory ailments like asthma and bronchitis, heightens the risk of
life-threatening conditions like cancer, and burdens our health care system with
substantial medical costs. Particulate matter is singlehandedly responsible for up
to 30,000 premature deaths each year.
Passenger vehicles are a major pollution contributor, producing significant
amounts of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other pollution. In 2013,
transportation contributed more than half of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen
oxides, and almost a quarter of the hydrocarbons emitted into our air.

Questions from judges/counter arguments: PREP ANSWERS FOR WHAT WE

THINK THEYLL ASK Sam Leah
Affirmative team responds to judges' questions: 2 minutes
Cars are not the only source of CO2 (how much do they really contribute)
Humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by more than
a third since the Industrial Revolution began. This is the most important
long-lived "forcing" of climate change.
(https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/)
In addition to carbon dioxide (CO2), automobiles produce methane,
and nitrous oxide from the tailpipe and hydrofluorocarbon emissions
from leaking air conditioners. The emissions of these gases are
small in comparison to CO2; however, the impact of these emissions
can be important because they have a higher global warming
potential (GWP) than


CO2.https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emi
ssions-data#Sector
A vehicle that operates exclusively on electricity (an EV) will not emit
any tailpipe emissions. A fuel cell vehicle operating on hydrogen will
emit only water
vapor.https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-em
issions-data#Sector
Almost all (95%) of the world's transportation energy comes from
petroleum-based fuels, largely gasoline and diesel. 14% of 2010
global greenhouse gas emissions came from
transportation.https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse
-gas-emissions-data#Sector
Are electric cars really better for environment than gas powered cars?
Other studies show that electric vehicles beat gas-powered
ones in terms of greenhouse gas emissions even if theyre
charged in regions that depend heavily on coal.
(https://www.technologyreview.com/s/517146/are-electric-veh
icles-better-for-the-environment-than-gas-powered-ones/)
"Manufacturing an electric vehicle today is more energy-intensive than

manufacturing a conventionally fueled car," he confirmed to DW. Once in use,

however, electric vehicles are much cleaner and energy-efficient. In terms of
the environment, the electric vehicles of today are already performing better
than internal combustion engines, he points out.
http://www.dw.com/en/how-eco-friendly-are-electric-cars/a-19441437

Does mining for batteries outweigh the environmental damage of

gas powered cars?
EV Batteries: A $240 Billion Industry In The Making
(https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackperkowski/2017/08/03/ev-batteries-a-24
0-billion-industry-in-the-making/#402c666c3f08)
At a number of universities, scientists are developing ways to recycle reuse
electric vehicle batteries - for industrial processes, for instance. The longer
the battery can be used after the life of the vehicle, the lower that vehicle's


environmental impact will be over its lifespan.

http://www.dw.com/en/how-eco-friendly-are-electric-cars/a-19441437
Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk said the companys battery Gigafactory
in Nevada will be fully powered by clean energy when complete & include
battery recycling. China and the EU have already introduced rules that
make carmakers responsible for recycling their batteries. Canadian
recycling start-up Li-Cycle says it can recycle all types of lithium-ion
batteries recovering up to 90 per cent of materials including lithium, cobalt,
copper, and graphite.The company is looking to process 5,000 tonnes a
year to start with and eventually 250,000 tonnes a similar amount to a
processing plant for mined lithium, he said.
https://www.ft.com/content/c489382e-6b06-11e7-bfeb-33fe0c5b7eaa

(this is the same thing as the thing below) Group conferral to plan closing
argument:
4 minutes

Closing argument: Emily Taylor H

2 minutes (choose different speaker[s] in advance)
The overall impact that fuel has on the environment.
- Mention again the point that using gas-powered cars is not showing compassion for
future generations.
Reiterate what was debated and discussed
Consequentialism
The consequence of using gas vehicles and how it harms health and
environment

Everything starts with a beginning and all it takes is a start, even if it is a small start, it is
a start and a step into the right direction. Its better to start to solve the problem then let
it sit and build up. This is a process, and we can only improve from here.

To reiterate, It is our ethical obligation to take care of the ONE planet that we have and
partake in making the transition to a healthier planet for ourselves and future
generations, because who else is going to start to make the change? We need to start
to be better roommates.


You have barely answered the question on why it is not our ethical responsibility,
however we have.

It is not logical to not change our culture because it is embedded in our society,
However, American stands for innovation/ change/ improvement. If we do not do
anything to change, we will not live long enough to question whether or not we have an
ethical obligation to drive these non-gas-powered cars.

All the arguments put forward focus on the short run aspects relating to the doubts on
renewable energy vehicles. The American Dream has been done before and it can be
done again. Overhaul of marketing points have been done before, overhaul of
infrastructure has been done, and it can be done again with the American Spirit

Relevant graphs/pictures:

Counter Debate Team (Trevor Baranski, Graham Smith, Samantha Heiler):

Renewable energy vehicles create vast amounts of pollution in order to overhaul
the transportation sector
Its an investment for the future transportation


Not a permanent cost (overhaul automobile production line and its less
constant than GHG emissions from fossil fuel vehicles on the road
Evidence that emissions are not necessarily directly linked to climate change
This is important, but still leaves a problem to be solved. We continue to
harm the environment regardless of whether or not human activity is the
spearhead to climate change.
I do not consider the present warming of the climate to be an anomaly, rather I
believe that the present scale and rate of climate change is well within the range
of natural variability, and is, therefore, not anomalous at all.
-Randall Carlson

Graph showing that the same amount of change we are currently worried
about was happening to the same extent as well as to a far greater
extent before the industrial era had burst into existence.
Demonstrates that we have gone in and out of glacial ages without
human influence
Changes between 10 - 20 degrees Celsius
Cataclysmic change
Sea levels drop by 400 ft
Rapid melting of ice sheets produce massive
floods that rip up everything in their path
Last two centuries witnessed .8 degree Celsius change
What is the source?


So why do we have this ethical obligation?

While human activity may not be the spearhead to the phenomenon of
global climate change, it still has a lasting effect on our shared
ecosystem
Poisoning the air, rivers, oceans we all share and which in turn
affect our health
Sends wrong message to later generations
Lead by example

There has to be a better way, and its our duty to figure out why
Goes full circle at this point
Will allow us to allocate precious resources and capital to things
that have far greater implications for future generations
Investigating the true cause of climate change
An 18-member international team of
researchers that includes James Kennett,
professor of earth science at UC Santa Barbara,
has discovered melt-glass material in a thin
layer of sedimentary rock in Pennsylvania,
South Carolina, and Syria. According to the
researchers, the material which dates back
nearly 13,000 years was formed at
temperatures of 1,700 to 2,200 degrees Celsius
(3,100 to 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit), and is the
result of a cosmic body impacting Earth.

These new data are the latest to strongly

support the controversial Younger Dryas
Boundary (YDB) hypothesis, which proposes
that a cosmic impact occurred 12,900 years ago
at the onset of an unusual cold climatic period
called the Younger Dryas. This episode
occurred at or close to the time of major
extinction of the North American megafauna,
including mammoths and giant ground sloths;
and the disappearance of the prehistoric and
widely distributed Clovis culture. The
researchers findings appear June 11 in
theProceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences.

More efficient means of acquiring these resources and

less harmful means of disposal
Gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) technology
is widely viewed as the way forward. In GTCC
both the gas turbine and the steam turbine
generate electricity.


Initially, the gas turbine generates electricity by

natural gas combustion. Then, the steam turbine
generates electricity by using high-temperature
steam recovered from the heat in exhaust gas
emitted by the gas turbine. GTCC recycles the
heat that is discarded in the case of a
conventional system.
The combined cycle means more electricity is
generated from the same amount of natural gas.
GTCC offers higher thermal efficiency compared
with electricity generation by a gas turbine or a
steam turbine alone. A great deal of work is
being done around the world to further improve
thermal efficiency of GTCC.
Opportunity to undo our mistakes as a species
Most of the products that we use in our country
come from rainforests, such as rubber, coffee
and rain forest lumber. Rainforests are cut
down to harvest the timber and also to make
room for farms to grow coffee and spices. Each
of us needs to be thoughtful about the way we
consume these products, and support
companies and programs that make a
commitment to safe environmental practices.
Recycle and re-use whenever possible, and help
keep the earth green and healthy.

Cite Sources here:

http://sacredgeometryinternational.com/ask-randall-climate-change - (Randall Carlson
Quote - Sacred Geometry)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0Cp7DrvNLQ&t=1198s - (Climate change graph
from JRE podcast #606 - 19:58)
New Evidence Supports Theory of Extraterrestrial Impact - (Impact Hypothesis - Sacred
Geometry)
https://www.mhi.com/discover/earth/issue/history/future/efficiency.html - (Gas Turbine
Combined Cycle (GTCC) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries)


http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/preserve.html -
(Bring the rainforest back - Learning about Rainforests)

Notes:
- 264 million cars converted to EVs would produce lots of waste
- Lithium powered batteries- lithium produces 2,000 tons of toxic waste
- 5% of lithium ion batteries are recycled
- Counterargument to us: cant take the bus if you live far away? EVs dont have a big
enough range, batteries dont work as well in the winter
- What do we do with gas pumps? Obsolete materials?
- Lithium batteries needs extraction 100,000 cobalt miners including kids in Congo, death
and injuries are common, toxic metals released into air, causing birth defects, info from
washington post

If we create EVs the initial CO2 emissions from factories may increase but in the long term EVs
save us

Youre valuing convenience over health

All the advertising we need is shown in the health facts
By promoting local businesses, less trucking will be needed, people are buying into being local
and healthy
Less droughts if we get rid of cars
Mining and producing lithium ion batteries, scientists focused on the future, recycling jobs

Focusing on american jobs and convenience, but since this is such a big issue affecting our
health, it's bigger than us- we need to make sacrifices to make a better planet for our children-
ETHICAL obligation
Talking about becoming dependent on china for lithium but were dependent on the middle east
for oil
Not suggesting any solutions to the environmental and health problems
We created the problem, so it is only ethical for us to create a solution