Research: Environment Protection (China)

Fall 2022 (Research):

Environmental Protection in China

Each year, the National Speech and Debate Association releases a series of debate topics for students to debate at contests. For the Fall Session (November and December), the LD (one-on-one) debate topic asks us to consider the desirability of China prioritizing “environmental protection” over “economic development”. The documents and information contained here are designed to help students prepare for the upcoming LD style debate contests.

The formal topic language is as follows:
The People’s Republic of China ought to prioritize environmental protection over economic growth.

For more information about the upcoming contests, and how you might participate, please use the “events calendar (see above),” which will be updated soon.

[LD Research] November/December 2022: Environmental Protection (China)

This debate topic is for LD debate events taking place during November and December:
Prioritizing Environmental Protection in China is Desirable.

BACKGROUND:
The climate crisis is accelerating at a pace like never before. From deforestation and droughts to air and plastic pollution, these are just several factors that are exacerbating climate change and its consequences are felt everywhere in the world. China is certainly not spared by the effects of global warming and is experiencing more frequent natural disasters, which lead to destruction, great human suffering, and biodiversity loss. As of 2021, the economic superpower is ranked fourth in the world among countries with the most natural disasters worldwide. On track to becoming the world’s largest economy, China’s extreme rapid industrial expansion in recent decades has also contributed to record-levels of air and water pollution. Here are five of the most worrisome environmental issues in China.
— Top 5 Environmental Issues in China in 2022 (Earth.org, June 23, 2022)

REQUIRED RESEARCH (VIDEOS):

REQUIRED RESEARCH (ARTICLES):

Top 5 Environmental Issues in China in 2022,
Martina Igini, Earth.org, June 23, 2022
https://earth.org/environmental-issues-in-china/

The Environmental Challenges of China’s Recovery After COVID-19,
Yanzhong Huang, TIME Magazine, February 2, 2021
https://time.com/5935138/chinas-environment-economic-recovery/
Note: Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations and a professor at Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations, is the author of Toxic Politics: China’s Environmental Health Crisis and its Challenge to the Chinese State.

OPTIONAL RESEARCH (ARTICLES & VIDEOS):

China’s environmental data: The world’s biggest polluter in numbers,
Phys.org, April 14, 2021
https://phys.org/news/2021-04-china-environmental-world-biggest-polluter.html
Note: Nice use of statistics!

Bill Eddy,

CONTACT INFORMATION (Coach Bill)

coachbill@magnetacademy.com
714.655.8135 (I prefer text)
When contacting me, please include your name and class information (day/time). Thanks!