AFFIRMATIVE CASE POSSIBILITIES

Rich EdwardsBaylor University

2014-15 National Policy Topic

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its non-military exploration and/or

development of the Earth’s oceans.

Law of the SeaDevelop Energy

Resources

Reduce Risk of Conflict

Protect Ocean Environment

Ocean EnergyGlobal Warming

Oceans Especially Threatened

Ocean Renewable Energy Superior

Explore

Oceans Are Vital

Basic Ocean Science Needed to Save

Fisheries Science

Tsunami Protection

Rare EarthsVital to National

Security

China Has Monopoly

Ocean Offers Superior Alternative

Seaports

Federal Responsibility

Vital to U.S. Economy

Vital to Environment

RAMP Act Solves

Coral ReefsReefs Dying Now

All Life in the Ocean Is at Risk

Restoration Is Superior to Preservation

Aqua-CultureReliance on

Aquaculture is Inevitable

Imported Aquaculture Especially Destructive

Proper Regulation Solves

Over-FishingOverfishing Is Extensive

Single-Species Regulation Inherently Flawed

Marine Protected Areas Provide the Solution

Whales

Whales Are Threatened

Seismic Airgun Blasts Harm Whales

Banning Seismic Airgun Blasts Vital to Saving Whales

Invasive SpeciesInvasive Species

Threaten the Ocean Environment

Current Standards Inadequate

Phase 2 BWM Standard Needed

Marine CablesInternet Security Vital

Marine Cables Essential to Internet Security

UNCLOS necessary to Secure Marine Cables

Iron FertilizationStudyClimate Change May Be

Unstoppable

Reasonable Measures Must Be Examined

Iron Fertilization May Offer a Last-Ditch Solution

Rule of Law

U.S. Unilateralism Threatens the Global Commons

UNCLOS Offers a Key Test of U.S. Willingness to Support Rule of Law

Arctic Resources

Arctic Resources Are Massive

Arctic Resources Will be Exploited

U.S. Environmental Standards Will Best Preserve the Arctic Environment

De-Salination

Fresh Water Supplies Are in Seriously Short Supply

Water Shortages Inevitably Cause Conflict

Desalination Offers an Optimal Solution

National Ocean Policy

Executive Order Is in Place But Requires Congressional Action

Ecosystem-Based Management Will Replace Ineffective Single-Species Management

Save Sea Turtles

Sea Turtles Are Endangered

Measures Are Available to Save Sea Turtles

Only a Holistic Approach Will Be Enough

Ocean Pollution

Plastic Pollution

Dead Zones

Mercury Pollution

Cruise Ship Discharge

Illegal Fishing

Illegal Fishing Practices Abound

U.S. imports 90% of its seafood

U.S. should ratify the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

Ban Bottom TrawlingBottom trawling destroys

ocean ecosystems

Bottom trawling is currently allowed in most U.S. ocean waters.

Banning bottom trawling will preserve ocean ecosystems.