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  • This house predicts the emergence of a climate apocalypse in the next 50 years

    Infoslide

    For the purposes of this debate, a climate apocalypse refers to a series of environmental catastrophes leading to the collapse of human civilization. These catastrophes are primarily the result of human activities e.g. extreme weather and the dramatic rise of sea level due to climate change.

    Kamalig Pre-NDC 2025 · Solidarity Cup Finals · 2025-10-04

  • This house believes that developing countries with large carbon sinks should demand financial compensation from high-carbon-emitting countries.

    Infoslide

    A “carbon sink” refers to a natural area that absorbs more carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere than it emits. This capacity to store carbon helps regulate the Earth’s climate and reduce the effects of global warming. An example is the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil.

    Vanguard Open 2025 · Round 3 · 2025-09-26

  • This house supports the international seabed authority expediting the finalization of deep sea mining rules

    Infoslide

    The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an intergovernmental body established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to regulate mineral-related activities in the international seabed area beyond national jurisdictions. It is partially funded by mining revenue. The international seabed area contains valuable minerals such as cobalt, nickel, and rare earth metals essential for renewable energy technologies. Current mining activity largely prevented by lack of regulatory structure, making mining de facto illegal in many places. The ISA is negotiating a Mining Code to set environmental safeguards, revenue-sharing mechanisms, and rules for partnerships between states and mining companies. The United States has not ratified UNCLOS and is not a party to the ISA. The International Seabed Authority (ISA)'s rules for deep-sea mining include provisions for the equitable sharing of benefits, with a focus on developing countries, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS). However, the core exploitation regulations, which would outline the specific partnering and benefit-sharing mechanisms, have not yet been finalized, despite the ISA's mandate and the expiration of a two-year deadline in 2023 to finalize them.

    Connections IV 2025 · Round 3 · 2025-08-30

  • This house believes that governments should substantially reduce regulatory barriers (e.g. community consultation, environmental impact statements) that apply to mines for resources critical to developing green energy (e.g. lithium, copper, rare earth minerals)

    India ABP Fundraiser 2025 · Round 5 · 2025-08-30

  • This house believes that the Brazilian government should extend the Trans-Amazonian Highway to Pucallpa

    Infoslide

    The Trans-Amazonian Highway starts from Brazil’s Atlantic Coast and stretches 4000km across the Amazon, stopping at The Uncontacted Frontier. The Frontier contains the highest concentration of isolated tribes. Some tribes have asked for support from the Brazilian government. Others choose to be alone, and many have never been contacted. On the other side of the Frontier is the Peruvian city of Pucallpa, a thriving city with a bustling economy.

    VDC Contentions 2025 (English) · Pre Semi Finals · 2025-08-28

  • This house believes that the Brazilian government should extend the Trans-Amazonian Highway to Pucallpa

    Infoslide

    The Trans-Amazonian Highway starts from Brazil’s Atlantic Coast and stretches 4000km across the Amazon, stopping at The Uncontacted Frontier. The Frontier contains the highest concentration of isolated tribes. Some tribes have asked for support from the Brazilian government. Others choose to be alone, and many have never been contacted. On the other side of the Frontier is the Peruvian city of Pucallpa, a thriving city with a bustling economy.

    VDC Contentions 2025 (English) · Novice Semifinals · 2025-08-28

  • This house believes that wildlife antinatalism is true

    Infoslide

    For this debate, “wildlife antinatalism” is the view that human activities that significantly reduce wild animal populations (e.g., deforestation, urbanization, water pollution) are likely to improve wild animals’ overall wellbeing, including those that die.

    Drexel Pre-WUDC 2025 · Partial Quarterfinals · 2025-08-23

  • This House believes that developing nations should adopt legislation similar to Canada’s "Building Canada Act".

    Infoslide

    The Building Canada Act (as part of Bill C-5: The One Canadian Economy Act), became law on June 26, 2025. It allows the federal government to designate and expedite “nation-building” projects like pipelines, ports, and highways. As well as, streamlines approvals by sidestepping existing laws such as the Environmental Protection Act and the Impact Assessment Act.

    Friday Night Debates 2025: An African Debate Super League · First Leg Round Robbin 2 · 2025-08-22