Environment & Climate debate motions

Environment motions set the defining trade-offs of the next decades: growth against emissions, adaptation against mitigation, and whether the tools of capitalism can fix what they broke. Actor variants (small island states, the environmental movement) are increasingly common.

177 motions, newest season first, verbatim from tournament records. Info slides are included where the tournament released one. For keyword search and shuffle drills, use the searchable bank.

2026 (5 motions)

This House supports regulated trophy hunting as a conservation tool.
1st Cebu Novice AP 2026 · Round 3
Info slide
Regulated trophy hunting is the controlled hunting of certain animal species under government or wildlife authority rules. Hunters typically pay fees or obtain licenses that limit the number and type of animals taken. This practice is often implemented in regions with populations of large or iconic wildlife, such as Africa and North America.
This House would restrict livestock production in regions facing severe environmental degradation.
1st Cebu Novice AP 2026 · Round 3
THBT environmental protection should not be sacrificed for development.
1st Cebu Novice AP 2026 · Novice Pre-Quarterfinals
This house believes that environmental movements should heavily prioritise geopoliticised narratives to advocate for greener technologies and policies
Asia Pacific Schools DC 2026 · U13 Rookie Grand Final
Info slide
"Geopoliticisation", in the context of energy and climate issues, refers to narratives that justify policy decisions through a geopolitical lens (e.g., advocating for decreasing the reliance on fossil fuels in the EU to reduce dependence on Russia, promoting domestically manufacturing electric vehicles in the US to compete with other producers etc.)
THBT climate reparations should be primarily in the form of technology transfer (e.g. solar panels, batteries, grid infrastructure) rather than direct financial or aid transfers.
Malaysian National Schools DC 2026 · Quarterfinals

2025 (19 motions)

THP a world where time-bound family formations (e.g., 25-year co-parenting contracts, renewable spousal units, etc.) is the norm
Guangzhou UADC 2025 · Round 8
TH, as a green investor, would invest in climate startups in the developing world as opposed to those in the developed world
IIUM Kuantan ABP 2025 · Round 6
THR the trend of building climate justice movements around one popular figure (Greta Thunberg or Roger Hallam, the founder of Just Stop Oil)
Ziauddin University DC 2025 · Pre-Quarter Finals
THP shareholder activism to divestment campaigns in the pursuit of environmental activism
Ziauddin University DC 2025 · Pre-Quarter Finals
Info slide
Shareholder activism involves the owners of shares (whether individual or institutional investors) lobbying companies in which they have shares to improve their corporate behaviour. Divestment campaigns involve demanding investors to sell their shares in morally problematic industries.
THS governments enacting local content requirements for renewable energy projects.
Malaysia International WSDC 2025 · Round 3
Info slide
A local content requirement (LCR) is an industrial policy tool that mandates the use of a certain portion of locally manufactured components. A local content requirement (LCR) is an industrial policy tool that mandates the use of a certain portion of locally manufactured components.
This House Prefers the Shift to Regional Climate Models over the Paris Agreement.
Rookie WSDC 2025 · Semifinals
Info slide
The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty adopted in 2015, aiming to address climate change by limiting global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The US has recently withdrawn from the Paris Agreement for the second time, and many countries have failed to adhere to the Paris Agreement by missing their emission reduction targets, continuing fossil fuel investments, and not meeting financial commitments for climate adaptation in developing nations. Regional climate models are those which entail collaboration with proximate nations to develop targeted climate policies specific to the region of interest (e.g., the European Green Deal, African Climate Change Strategy).
THBT developing countries should prioritize reducing the scope of factory farming over reducing the net use of fossil fuels
Western WSDC 2025 · Round 1, Round 4
THBT the U.S. should aggressively pursue the development of a domestic renewable energy sector
Western WSDC 2025 · Semifinals
Info slide
Renewable energy relies on resources that are naturally self-replenishing. These include solar, wind, hydropower and others. Currently, China dominates production and consumption in the renewable energy sector -it annually installs half the world's PV cells (solar panels), it is the world's biggest producer, exporter and installer of wind turbines, and roughly %30 of its domestic energy consumption comes from renewable sources. By contrast, renewable energy constitutes only 8% of the U.S.'s domestic energy consumption, and most of the U.S.'s solar panels and turbines are imported.
THBT environmental activists should abandon the narrative that climate disaster is inevitable
Western Winter DC 2025 · Round 3
This House as the environmental movement would support the use of extremist tactics
English College Open 2025 · Quarterfinals
Info slide
Extremist tactics includes the destruction of property and large-scale civil disobedience i.e blocking roads and buildings
This house believes that rich countries should do more to fight climate change than poor countries.
Australasian Junior DC 2025 · Round 2
Info slide
Rich countries (also called developed countries) are nations with strong economies, advanced technology, and higher living standards (e.g., USA, Germany, Japan). Poor countries (developing countries) have weaker economies, less technology, and lower living standards (e.g., Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal). Climate change means long-term changes in the Earth's climate caused mainly by greenhouse gases from human activity. Examples of its effects include rising sea levels, stronger storms, droughts, and floods.
This house supports the environmental movement's shift towards climate litigation
Korea National DC 2025 · Round 4
Info slide
Climate litigation refers to the use of legal action, either through courts or tribunals, to address issues related to climate change. It involves individuals, communities, NGOs, or even governments suing corporations, states, or institutions for their role in contributing to or failing to mitigate climate change.
This house believes that the environmentalist movement should prioritise advocating for nuclear rather than green (i.e., wind, hydro, solar) energy to replace non-renewable sources (i.e., coal, oil).
Warwick Juniors DC 2025 · Round 5
Info slide
Nuclear power is a highly efficient energy source. Compared to other renewable sources of energy, nuclear power has a high set up cost, but then very low long term maintenance cost. In addition, radioactive waste is produced by nuclear power plants.
This house believes that the environmental movement should heavily prioritise nuclear energy in its advocacy
Copenhagen Schools DC 2025 · U15 Main Grand Final
Info slide
Nuclear energy is an incredibly clean and efficient type of energy. That said, it is expensive to set up and if nuclear power plants are poorly contained, they can melt down in disasters such as Chernobyl.
This house regrets the use of end-of-world narratives over hopeful narratives when advocating for climate change policy
Copenhagen Juniors DC 2025 · U13 Main Semifinals
Info slide
End-of-world narratives are portrayals that emphasize the potential destruction of the earth if global warming continues. This includes statistics of potential climate refugees, pictures of the harm of climate change, or emotionally strong language.
THBT the environmental movement should primarily focus on pressuring companies to develop technology that addresses climate change instead of demanding individual action.
Malaysian National Schools DC 2025 · Round 4
THBT environmental movements should shame individuals who do not practice environmentally sustainable habits
Malaysian National Schools DC 2025 · Round 4
That technology is the solution to climate change.
Battle of Minds Open 2025 · Primary Partial Finals
That companies are the major contributors to climate change.
Battle of Minds Open 2025 · Round 3

2024 (19 motions)

That the ACCU Scheme should not give carbon credits to vegetation management projects
UQ Easters 2024 · Round 5
Info slide
The Australian Carbon Credit Union Scheme (ACCU) provides carbon credits to companies which can show they have exceeded their targets for emissions reduction. These credits can be sold to other firms or the government for a profit. In 2024, almost half of carbon credits were issued for vegetation managment projects. The majority of vegetation management projects involve agreeing not to allow livestock to graze where they were previously planned to, thus allowing the environment to regenerate.
This House believes that the environmental movement in the developed world should focus its resources and activism on developing countries over developed countries
SLS Parliamentary Debate 2024 · Round 3
TH. as a climate activist in a Western Liberal Democracy, would aggressively advocate for nuclear energy over other renewable energy sources
Asia Pacific WSDC 2024 · Round 2
THBT states should grant legal rights to ecological/environmental entities (e.g.: The Amazon Rainforest, The Great Barrier Reef)
Novice WSDC 2024 · Round 2
This House would mandate carbon pricing for all industries
Seasons WSDC 2024 · Round 1, Round 2
In discussions about climate change, This House Prefers the emphasis on climate doomerism as opposed to climate optimism in the messaging of the scientific community.
Asia Schools Open BP Summer 2024 · U18 Semifinals
Info slide
Climate doomerism is the narrative which states that Earth, in reference to the impacts of climate change, is already doomed and individuals either need to take extreme action to protect themselves or accept that there's nothing they can do about it. On the other hand, climate optimism is the belief that the Earth can still be saved and that climate change can still be solved through the united efforts of humanity.
Recognising the hazardous impacts of industrial revolution on climate change, THP that the world remained undeveloped
Asia Junior Championships Winter 2024 · U13 Main Semifinals, U12 Main Semifinals, U12 Rookie Semifinals, U11 Semifinals
That the environment movement should heavily prioritise nuclear power in their energy advocacy
Asia Pacific Schools DC 2024 · Round 4
THW implement the Environmental Credit Score System
Asia Novice Debate Open 2024 · Semifinals
Info slide
An Environmental Credit Score (ECS) is a metric designed to evaluate and quantify the environmental impact of an individual based on key factors such as their carbon footprint, resource consumption, waste management, energy efficiency, pollution and emissions. The ECS would be used for, but not limited to, employment decisions, consumer choices, policy-making, etc.
THS the dominance of China in innovating sustainable technology (e.g. EVs, renewable energy)
Asia Novice Debate Open 2024 · Quarterfinals
THS radical environmentalism
Pan African Schools DC 2024 · Round 5
Info slide
For the purposes of this debate, 'radical environmentalism refers to the use of aggression or disruption (e.g vandalism, sabotage civil disobedience) in the name of environmentalist campaigns. An example of 'radical environmentalism' was when members of the Just Stop Oil campaign vandalized Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" in the National Gallery and subsequently glued their hands to the wall in 2022.
Assuming Feasibility, THS the development and access of Deep Dive rather than trying to massively reverse climate change.
Uganda National Speech and Debate Championship 2024 · Octofinals
Info slide
Deep dive is a technology that allows humans to immerse themselves in digitally simulated eras of the world. This world is realistic to emotional and physical feedback with the ability to calibrate the world as it was but also the ability to change the course of history depending on the diver's actions and their significance, time moves relatively faster there 1 dive day is equivalent to a human year.
THW prohibit corporations with significant carbon footprints from advertising to consumers.
Uganda National Speech and Debate Championship 2024 · Round 1
This House prefers pursuing a net zero agenda rather than a zero carbon agenda for developing nations.
Uganda High School National Championship 2024 · Round 4
This House Prefers a world in which activists for ecological sustainability prioritize legislative reforms [e.g., Carbon Pricing] over changing people's attitudes toward the environment [e.g. Documentaries and Films].
Green Schools Debates Nationals 2024 · Round 2
This House, as the government of Uganda, Would subject the EACOP project to mandatory Carbon financing.
Green Schools Debates Nationals 2024 · Round 1
This House Would grant temporary residency to as many climate refugees as possible even at the severe expense of domestic welfare.
Green Schools Debates Nationals 2024 · Round 4
This House Opposes the narrative that climate change is a disaster in waiting rather than a technological challenge that can be overcome.
Green Schools Debates Nationals 2024 · Round 3
This House Supports the legislation in favor of carpooling to help in carbon footprint reduction.
Green Schools Debates Nationals 2024 · Grand Final

2023 (12 motions)

THBT China should aggressively shift the investment/industrial focus from coal industry to renewable energy industry.
NEADC 2023 · Round 2
In the discourse of climate action, THS the narrative that we are all going to die.
Ziauddin University DC 2023 · Round 2
This house believes that individuals should be financially incentivized for adopting sustainable lifestyles and making environmentally-friendly choices
Malaysian National Universities DC 2023 · Novice Semifinals
This house supports the legalization of geoengineering as a means to mitigate the effects of climate change
Malaysian National Universities DC 2023 · Novice Semifinals
Info slide
Geoengineering refers to deliberate large-scale interventions in the Earth's climate system to counteract or mitigate the effects of climate change. It involves the deliberate manipulation of the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, or land surface to reduce the impacts of global warming. Geoengineering techniques can be broadly categorized into two main approaches which are Solar Radiation Management (SRM) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). SRM is techniques aim to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface, thereby cooling the planet. Whereas, CDR is a techniques aim to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to reduce greenhouse gas concentrations.
THBT countries that fail to meet their international climate obligations should have to accept environmental refugees from climate change-vulnerable regions
Malaysia International WSDC 2023 · Pre-Quarterfinals
Info slide
The climate obligations that each country has are self-determined, reported to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and updated every few years. This motion presumes that the UNFCCC has the ability to enforce this policy without countries entirely opting out of setting international climate obligations.
THS efforts to lower carbon emissions even if it comes at the expense of biodiversity (e.g. building hydroelectric dams in natural reserves, planting trees that kill biodiversity)
Junior WSDC 2023 (U-14) · Quarterfinals
THBT renewable energy investment in the Philippines should focus on small-scale power generation (hydroelectric turbine stations in rivers, rooftop wind turbines, local biofuel processing) over large-scale power generation (large dams, solar farms, windfarms)
Philippine Schools DC 2023 · Round 6
THS environmentalist movements using doomsday narratives in combatting climate change
Philippine Schools DC 2023 · Ana Alano Grand Finals
Info slide
A doomsday narrative is a strategy adopted by environmentalists to foretell the future state of our environment. It is usually accompanied with catastrophic descriptions of what the Earth will look like in the near future i.e. devastating fires, rampant flooding, destruction of homes due to rising sea levels, etc.
THW make loans to developing countries conditional on significant environmental reforms
Asia Schools Open Summer 2023 · Round 4
Info slide
For the purposes of this debate, loan conditions refer to specific policies or reforms a government must undertake in order to borrow money
THW prosecute business leaders for environmental crimes committed by their companies.
Asia Junior Championship Summer 2023 · Round 3
Info slide
To prosecute means holding someone criminally liable and carrying out trial in the court of law. Examples of environmental crimes may include but not limited to wildlife crimes, illegal mining, pollution crimes, illegal fishing, and illegal logging. All of them breach environmental legislation and may cause significant harm not only to the environment but to human health as well.
THW enact an 'Environmental Council' made up of environmental experts to create and manage environmental policies rather than governments
Malaysian National Schools DC 2023 · Pre-Quarterfinals
IN THE ERA OF FAST FASHION, THIS HOUSE WOULD MANDATE ALL BRANDS TO DISCLOSE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF EVERY APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR IN THE PRICE TAGS
International Scholastic DC 2023 · Round 4

2022 (12 motions)

This House Believes That the environmental movement should take more radical action in the fight against climate change (e.g., blocking roads, vandalism, blowing up pipelines etc.)
WUDC Belgrade 2022 · Partial Double-Octofinals
C: That the environmentalist movement should include a just transition away from the animal agriculture industry in its messaging
Campbelltown Australs 2022 · Open Quarterfinals
Info slide
C: "Just transition" rhetoric refers to economic transitions away from emissions-intense industries that attempt to account for social justice, for example by providing guaranteed jobs for workers who lose their jobs due to decarbonisation. Currently, a just transition is conceived as a transition away from fossil fuels extraction and combustion.
THW impose carbon limits on households.
Malaysia BP 2022 · Semifinals
THBT environmental activists should focus on the culpability of large corporations, rather than emphasize the role of personal responsibility (e.g using less water, recycling household, waste)
Asia Pacific WSDC 2022 · U16 Semifinals
THBT the environmental movement ought to publicly support anti-natalist groups.
Malaysian National Schools WSDC 2022 · Round 4
Info slide
Antinatalism is the belief that it is morally wrong or unjustified for people to have children
THW introduce a quota for climate change refugees, where refugees are allocated in proportion to countries' carbon emissions
Asia Schools Open Spring 2022 · Round 4
Info slide
Carbon dioxide emissions or CO2 emissions are emissions stemming from the burning of fossil fuels and other process, they include carbon dioxide produced during consumption of solid, liquid, and gas fuels as well as gas flaring. Carbon dioxide is largely associated with global warming and its regulation have been the target of environmental policies.
THBT states that have largely benefited from the industrial revolution should monetarily compensate developing states to not cause greater harm to the environment
Malaysian National Schools DC 2022 · Round 2
THO the rise of ecoterrorism by environmental groups
Malaysian National Schools DC 2022 · Round 2
THW transfer the management of the global commons to states with strong environmental protection laws
Malaysian National Schools DC 2022 · Round 2
Info slide
The 'global commons' is a term typically used to describe global resource domains in which common resources are found. Global commons include the earth's shared natural resources, such as the high oceans, the atmosphere and outer space and the Antarctic in particular.
As a climate justice activist, THW focus on optimistic messaging in climate change advocacy.
International Scholastic DC 2022 (Junior) · Round 4
This House, as environmentalists, would choose a strategy of working closely with corporations
Asia Scholastic DC 2022 (Senior) · Round 1
THBT it is legitimate for scientists to exaggerate the consequences of climate change in their research
Asia Novice Debate Open 2022 · Semifinals

2021 (31 motions)

THS the medicalization of eco-anxiety
The DCAC Fundraiser Open 2021 · Open_Semi
Info slide
There's growing recognition in the field of psychology that people are experiencing distress over climate change. More than 40% of Americans felt "disgusted" or "helpless" about climate change, according to a survey published by researchers at Yale University. A 2020 poll from the APA found that more than half of respondents were somewhat or extremely anxious about the effects of climate change on their own mental health. Though not officially classified in the DSM-5, the term therapists use to classify and treat mental illnesses, there's a name for this state of despair that has emerged from academic texts and media since as recently as 2007: eco-anxiety. In some ways, climate change anxiety is a rational response, said Leslie Davenport, a therapist based in Tacoma, Washington. "Eco-anxiety is a natural response to a threat. And this is a very real threat," Davenport said. Yet it can also debilitate. In college, I began a campaign to shut down fracking in Los Angeles County. Within months, I burned out. Constantly contemplating the impact of fracking on our atmosphere and communities was making it difficult for me to function at a basic level. Because of this tension between eco-anxiety's role as a rational but potentially debilitating response, there's no clear, standard definition as to when eco-anxiety is unhealthy, if it ever is. "That's one of the questions we really need to be asking," Clayton said. "Anxiety is not pleasant to experience, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. It's an emotional signal that we need to be paying attention. Definition: Medicalization is the process of labelling 'eco-anxiety' as an illness requiring formal diagnosis of symptoms, and prescribed treatment through biochemical, psychiatric, or intervention by formal medical apparatuses such as admittance in a hospital.
TH prefers to live as a person who adopted the "Closed off" model
ABP 2021 · Open_Final
Info slide
The "closed off" model refers to a way of life where individuals are more protective of themselves, do not express their emotions much and tend to not give away personal details about themselves. The "openness" model refers to a way of life where individuals freely express their emotions, tend to share personal information with acquaintances and friends (even if not close) and are more emotionally vulnerable.
This House blieves that environmentalists should put a monetary value on environmental functions
UADC 2021 · 6
Info slide
An ecosystem function is the capacity of natural processes and components to provide goods and services that satisfy human needs, either directly or indirectly (e.g., forests ,wetlands, coastlines etc.)
In its messaging during conservation efforts, TH believes that the environmental movement should prioritize the economic worth of the environment over its cultural worth to humans.
Pearl Pre-ABP BP Debates 2021 · 2
THW choose to live in World A
Wolce Pre-Asians 2021 · Open_Semi
Info slide
You are an individual from a minority community. In World A, you live a happy, comfortable life in complete obscurity. In World B, you are an influential public figure.
THW ban aquariums
International Zoo Open · 0
THW enter the dimension
DSDC Coherence 2021 · Open_Final
Info slide
You are an average person living a nondescript, anonymous life. You encounter an entrance to another dimension. Upon entering it, you would lose your memory.
In a world where there are no other fruits left, TH prefers a world where individuals put heavy emphasis on the trading and selling of green apples from a malus domestica, as opposed to red apples.
5th Linkbate Debating Championship 2021 · 0
Info slide
A malus domestica is the most common species in the genus Malus. It is the source of a fruit that has religious and mythological significance in Norse and Greek traditions.
THW choose option A
The Interschool Debate 2021 · Open_Final
Info slide
You live in a world where the life expectancy of an individual is about 60 years, and you're given two choices on your 30th birthday. Option a: you relive your life starting from when you were born while retaining your memories, then die on your next 30th birthday. Option b: you continue your life as it is, until death
THR the narrative of "individual environmental responsibility"
The Interschool Debate 2021 · Open_Semi
THW retroactively apply environmental laws and regulations to corporations
Rahat Fundraiser 2021 · 6
THBT environmentalists should emphasize blaming large corporations for environment degradation, as opposed to focusing on individual responsibility
Rahat Fundraiser 2021 · 6
THP a world without life altering events
Rahat Fundraiser 2021 · 2
This House Believes That States Should Grant Legal Personhood To Ecological Entities (e.g.: The Amazon Rainforest, The Great Barrier Reef)
BDIDF Western · 2
Info slide
"Legal personhood" grants legal rights to non-human entities, such as corporations, inanimate objects, and so on. Such legal persons are able to do what a human person would be able to do in law, such as enter into contracts, sue and be sued, and own property. A representative assumes the standing to speak on behalf of those entities when they face significant harms, without the need to demonstrate harms to human parties.
This House supports the trend of self-diagnosing via the internet
Borneo British Parliamentary Debate Championship · 1
As environmentalists, THR the rise of the gentrification of thrifting in the fashion industry
i3L Debate Match · Open_Quarter
Info slide
The world of fashion, as we know it today, is the second largest polluter in the world, only behind the oil industry. Thrifting means to go shopping at a thrift store, garage sale, or flea market where you'll find gently used items at discounted prices. Thrifted items have been used by a previous owner, but are usually in good shape with enough life left to be useful to a new owner. There is a rising trend of gentrification of thrifting store in which middle-to-upper class of society started to buy clothes in thrifting store, which previously only been done massively by middle-to-upper class. The gentrification of thrifting store also results into the prominence of luxurious thrift carnival e.g. ThriftCon and many celebrities take part as the model and ambassador of such thrift stores.
THP a world where humans are optimistic about the future of the world rather than have an objectively accurate assessment of it
St Andrews Debate Open · 5
TH as a Squib would choose to live in the Muggle world over the magical world
Pop Posting Open · 1
Info slide
In the Harry Potter universe, a Squib is a human who is born with at least one magical parent, but does not inherit magic from them. They are unable to practice magic, but can interact in magical society and see things that muggles can't, e.g. Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, etc. Squibs are rare and are looked down upon by some wizards, particularly pure-bloods.
TH, as the aspiring rapper, Would start "beef" with Eminem
Pop Posting Open · 4
Info slide
You are an aspiring rapper with limited commercial success and a small but loyal fanbase on social media and music apps, but you have never cracked the big leagues. Eminem, despite his age, is still actively releasing music and has a legendary career of engaging in "beef" (aka public feuds) with any artist he perceives to have disrespected him. This includes calling them out in high-profile interviews, barring his close friends in the business from working with them, and most infamously - releasing savage diss tracks.
THBT major environmental destruction committed by either individuals or companies should be considered as a crime against humanity
World Changers Camp · 4
THR the world in which AI increasingly replaces humans in decision-making
World Changers Camp · 2
THBT humans should give up on Earth, rather than re-inhabiting it
Colgate Open · Novice_Final
Info slide
The earth has become uninhabitable due to human pollution and destruction, and the surviving parts of humanity has been living comfortably in a light-speed travel capable space ship for centuries. The space ship will sustain humanity for about a thousand years, but not indefinitely. It has now been found out, that earth can be made habitable again with huge amounts of effort.
THP a world without the existence of the elixir
Yale IV · Novice_Final
Info slide
There exists an elixir that upon consumption enables the drinker to permanently forget about all their previous and future breakups, however painful and arduous they may be. This elixir is accessible to all and need only be consumed once in a lifetime.
THBT environmentalist groups should fully abandon advocating for the mitigation of climate change (carbon taxes, carbon offsetting, planting trees), in favour of campaigning for adaptation efforts instead (e.g. building sea walls, exploring alternative living habitats)
Genesis BP IV · Open_Semi
THR the premium placed on anthropocentrist narratives in environmental campaigns
Bicol Intervarsity · 4
Info slide
Anthropocentric narratives express a position that human beings are of central importance, and that nature is a resource for human benefit.
THW require environmental policy decisions should be made by an independent panel of experts
Justice Tarkunde PD · Open_Final
THW remain in the Zoo
KCL Schools · Gold_Final
Info slide
You are an otter living in the London Zoo. One day, you see a hole in the fence that would allow you to escape and live, without being imminently caught, in Greater London.
THP a world in which social norms privilege introverts as opposed to extroverts
AUDC · Open_Semi
THBT the "curated self" phenomenon has done more harm than good.
ESDC · 3
Info slide
The "curated self" is the digital self-presentation of a social media user, created through an ongoing selection process of organizing photos and other elements of their social media profile with the aim of creating a distinct digital embodiment of ourselves. This online self is both separate from a user's physical presentation offline (it's significantly curated) but it's also a continuation of it (it's not a fake profile). This can be done by selecting which photographs to post, staging photographs, using filters, etc.
THW grant the River Nile environmental personhood, with rights against pollution and mismanagement sued for in national courts by a set of independent trustees.
Uhuru Worlds · ESL_Semi
Info slide
Environmental personhood is a legal device by which a natural resource is given rights and protections that can be enforced against private or state actors by independent trustees.
TH, as the scientific community, would move away from the "Information Deficit Model" (IDM) to a "contextual model" in discussing climate change.
Debatable Open · 3
Info slide
Information Deficit Model" (IDM) assumes that the public needs more and better information. In contrast the "contextual model" is a collection of strategies that attempt to incorporate social context — in the form of culturally resonant messages, frames, and other rhetorical devices — into communication with the public.

2020 (24 motions)

This House prefers a world without the Neuralink.
Thailand WUDC 2020 · ESL_Semis
Info slide
A highly-valued startup has invented Neuralink technology, which allows people's consciousnesses to be irreversibly uploaded into a powerful supercomputer and maintained indefinitely.
This House Would break up Amazon
Central European Cyberspace Open · 3
THP a world where people are unable to forget their life experiences
Hong Kong Pro Ams · Open_Final
THP a world where Homo Sapiens is not the sole surviving human species
Debate for Donation Open · 4
Info slide
Palaeontologist used to believe that we (Homo Sapiens) is a species that exist after the evolution of previous human species (such as Homo Erectus and Homo Floresiensis). Recent finding through ccarbon dating technology has found out that the theory is false. There was a point in time when we are not the only humans hat inhabited the earth. In fact, we (Homo Sapiens) inhabited the earth together with other human species such as Homo Erectus & Homo Floresiensis
THBT environmentalist groups should fully abandon advocating for the mitigation of climate change, in favour of campaigning for adaptation efforts instead (e.g. building sea walls, genetically modified crops, exploring alternative living habitats)
Helsinki Open · 5
THR anthropocentrism in the environmental rights movement.
Imitation Cup · Open_Quarters
Info slide
Anthropocentrism is the belief that human beings are the only, or primary, entites that deserve moral consideration (human exceptionalism).
THP a wolrd in which every aspect of one's physical experience is indistinguishable from that of other people
Sumatra Online Debate Open 2020 · Open_Final
Info slide
To have an appearance that is indistinguishable from that of other people is to have no difference in race, fashion, physical features, etc. Assume that you are still able to identify medical ills and injuries, and can effectively identify who someone is.
THW use Soul 100
India Debate Open AP 2020 · Open_Final
Info slide
Assume you have one true soulmate for the duration of your life. You are about to enter marriage with someone you think is your soulmate. A machine called Soul 100 was recently invented, which can accurately determine a person's one true soulmate, and they can be from any part of the world.
THO the "Toxic Positivity" culture
KCL Online Open 2020 · Open_Semi
Info slide
"Toxic positivity" refers to the concept that keeping a positive mindset and being optimistic is the right and best way to live your life.
THP to be alone in the universe
KCL Online Open 2020 · Open_Final
Info slide
Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. In both scenarios, humanity has knowledge of whether or not they are alone in the universe.
This house prefers process-based to outcomes-based environmental regulation
Macquarie Open 2020 · Open_Final
THBT the environmentalist movement should prioritise the anthropocentrist value of nature in its rhetoric
Macquarie Open 2020 · Open_Final
Info slide
In environmental ethics, anthropocentrism refers to the belief that the environment's value lies in its value to humans, for instance due to its economic or aesthetic benefits for humans. On the other hand, ecocentrism suggests the ecosphere as a whole has inherent value.
THP a world where homo sapiens are not the sole surviving human species
Westminster Debating Championships 2020 · Open_Quarter
Info slide
Palaeontologist used to believe that we (Homo Sapiens) is a species that exist after the evolution of previous human species (such as Homo Erectus and Homo Floresiensis). Recent finding through carbon dating technology has found out that the theory is false. There was a point in time when we are not the only humans had inhabited the earth. In fact, we (Homo Sapiens) inhabited the earth together with other human species such as Homo Erectus & Homo Floresiensis
That, as a competitive and socially conscious young Pokémon trainer, we would not participate in Pokémon battles
Pop Culture Grand Prix · 1b
THS the managed relocation of biodiversity in response to climate change
IUBDC Rational Wrangle · 1
Info slide
Managed relocation is defined as the movement of species, populations, or genotypes to places outside the areas of their historical distributions. It is done to maintain biological diversity by saving the relocated organism or to protect the functioning of the ecosystem, in response to the effects of climate change.
THP a pessimistic view of aI as opposed to an optimistic one
The Halycon Debates · 5
THS the use of voluntary human extinction as a strategy for environmentalism
Mindanao IV · 4
THS the pursuit of voluntary human extinction as a strategy for environmentalism
Mindanao IV · 5
THP a world in which the registry exists
Pre-Korea Worlds · 4
Info slide
There is a public registry where, upon the request of current or former romantic partner(s), and pending independent verification, a permanent record of non-criminal bad behaviour from previous romantic relationships can be created. This behaviour can include, but is not limited to: cheating, ghosting, lying, controlling behaviour, etc.
When evaluating financial risk and value, THBT financial institutions and credit rating agencies should actively account for climate and nature based impacts and risk
Cambridge IV · ESL_Semi
THW require meat packaging to display image that accurately reflects the experiences of animals throughout the manufacturing process
Asian High School Debating Championship · 4
THP a world where everyone is implanted with the EPA device at birth
KCL Pro Am · Open_Final
Info slide
The "Empathic Field Aperture" (EPA) is a neural implant which causes recipients to experience an accurate, though somewhat reduced, sense of the emotional state of anyone they are in contact with.
THP a world with the Inside-Out reader
Europe Queer Open · ProAm_Final
Info slide
The Inside-Out-Reader is a database of emotions which is freely accessible to the public. Using this database, everyone can look up any individuals' current emotional states on various emotional scales (e.g., Happiness, Fear), but not the cause of the emotion. The Inside-Out-Reader is objective and absolute, so that a '7' on one person's emotional scale is equivalent to a '7' on that same scale for any other person. The Inside-Out-Reader doesn't store any information about past feelings - only the emotions a person experiences at that exact moment are tracked. To look up an individual on the Inside-Out-Reader, one needs identifiable information to find them (e.g., their full name or I.D.)
This House prefers human beings over the next few millennia to gradually and peacefully go extinct, replaced by artificially intelligent beings.
Wolce Pre-ABP · Open_Final

2019 (11 motions)

Given a trade-off, THW direct environmental policy towards mitigation of climate change, rather than prevention.
York IV 2019 · 1
Info slide
Policies of preventing climate change include reducing CO2 emissions, changing energy policy and limiting waste. Policies mitigating climate change include building sea walls, disaster relief mechanisms and altering crops to grow within a different climate – these tend to be quicker and cheaper than prevention policies. Motion: Giv
This House believes that the present condition of humanity is preferable to its condition in 100 years time.
Cape Town WUDC 2019 · Open_Final
THBT the US Democratic Party should prioritise employment issues, even at the expense of significant harms to the environment.
Athens EUDC 2019 · ESL_Semis
THR human ability to adapt to social adversity
PAUDC Akofena 2019 · Open_Quarters
This house would take a pill that permanently made one entirely contented with one's current life situation.
HWS Round Robin 2019 · 4
This house prefers a world in which, upon childhood, all people intuitively come to know their natural expiration date.
HWS Round Robin 2018 · 4
THW geoengineer the climate
Seattle IV 2019 · 4
EC preferiría unirse al Club de los 27 que vivir una vida anónima promedio.
Pan American Debating Championships 2019 · Spanish_Quarters
Info slide
El Club de los 27 es un término que se refiere a un grupo de músicos que vivieron una vida de "sexo, drogas y Rock n Roll" y muerieron a los 27 años, principalmente por abuso de sustancias. Algunos ejemplos notables son Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.
This House would take a pill that permanently made one contented with one's current life situation.
HWS Round Robin 2019 · 4
Info slide
For the purpose of this debate, the state of being contented refers to one's overall satisfaction with one's life. A contented person may have good or bad days, and fluctuations in mood, but their wholistic assessment of their life is that they are content with what they have, even if what they have changes.
This House regrets the thought of the "Zero Hour
Campus-Debatte Wien 2019 · 2
Info slide
The term "Zero Hour" ("Stunde Null") refers to the idea that Germany and Austria had the opportunity for an unconditional new beginning after the defeat of Germany in 1945 in the second world war and after the dismantlement of the Nazi-Regime that followed, which were seen as the liberation from national socialism. The old society seemed distant and like a bad dream and was not addressed in public discourse.)
This House Regrets the increased prevalence of hostile architecture
Western Washington University 2019 · 4

2018 (3 motions)

THW Pull the Switch
Maynooth Open 2018 · Novice_Final
Info slide
There exists a switch which, if pulled, randomly decides (and cannot not be random) that some members of the population cannot have children. For the purposes of the debate you are a random global citizen. Motion: THW
THBT human beings must sow terrestrial life forms on other planets even if that destroys endemic life forms of those planets
1st Copa Leones de Debate (CLD) at University of Guadalajara · 7
Info slide
The Starlight project developed technology that allows to plant terrestrial organisms in other planets, which can take hold there and facilitate the conditions for a future human colonization // Motion: THBT
This House would rather live in a world where globalization had not occurred so intensely.
GV Debate · 3

2017 (5 motions)

THW require meat packaging to display images that vividly and accurately reflect the experiences of the animals throughout the manufacturing process
Colgate Open 2017 · 2
THBT the environmental movement should abandon the narrative of personal responsibility in favor of one which emphasizes institutional accountability
La Salle IV · 3
either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying." - Arthur C Clarke Motion: THW rather be alone in the Universe
KCL IV 2017 · Open_Final
Info slide
"Two possibilities exist: eit
THBT when a company conducts any business in a developed nation, that nation should enforce its domestic environmental regulations at all stages of that company's supply chain (including suppliers and sub-contractors)
Durham IV · 2
This house prefers a world without alcohol.
Newcastle IV 2017 · Novice_Final

2016 (5 motions)

THW genetically engineer major meat animals not to feel pain.
Trinity Women's Open · 3
This House would program the robots to hide the existence of past human life on Earth
Canadian BP Nationals 2016 · Open_Final
Info slide
It is far into the future. Earth is no longer habitable for life, and the human race on Earth is about to be extinguished. However, we have mastered many advanced technologies, including far space travel. We are sending thousands of human embryos frozen in artificial wombs to a distant, liveable planet. Accompanying them will be robots who are comprehensively programmed to develop, raise, protect, and educate these "New Children" once they reach the new planet.
THR The rise of "clean living" gurus
Newcastle Mixed Doubles 2016 · ProAm_Final
TH supports the creation of wethouses.
UCL President's Cup · 1
Info slide
A wethouse is a homeless shelter that allows occupants to drink alcohol on its premises. Motion: TH
THW leave Omelas
Seattle IV 2016 · Open_Final

2015 (5 motions)

THBT environmental movements should support climate engineering that fundamentally alters the environment in an attempt to combat global warming
Malaysia WUDC 2015 · 2
Info slide
Climate engineering technology is technology designed to artificially alter the climate on a large scale in order to control the effects of climate change (e.g. Cloud Seeding and Carbon Capture). Currently, research on climate engineering is at an early stage.
This House believes that when multi-national corporations conduct any business in Western states, these nations should enforce their environmental standards at all stages of production.
Vienna EUDC 2015 · 2
TH regrets the decline in oil prices over the last 18 months
SOAS IV · 3
Assuming a low probability of detection, THS scientists who falsify data in order to exagerrate the harms of climate change.
Guindon Cup (University of Ottawa) · Novice_Finals
THW allow the trophy hunting of endangered animals
Birmingham IV · 1
Info slide
Trophy hunting is the selective and regulated hunting of wild animals, for example lions. Typically, it takes place on reservations, particularly in Africa and North America.

2014 (8 motions)

THW forcibly plug everyone into Nozick's experience machine
Royal Holloway Open · 3
THW abandon the search for extraterrestrial life
National Maiden's · 2
THBT, within broad budgetary constraints, environmental policy should be decided by unelected scientific experts selected by their peers.
HWS Round Robin · Open_Finals
esta casa dejaría en manos de los ciudadanos, a través del voto directo en referendos
Campeonato Mundial Universitario de Debate en Español (CMUDE) · Open_Semis
This house would require companies to place images of animal suffering on all products or food whose production harmed or killed animals.
Zagreb EUDC 2014 · ESL_Quarters
TH believes that animal rights activists should launch a campaign of sabotage and property destruction to further the cause of animal rights.
UCL President's Cup · 2
THW prioritise dealing with the consequences of climate change rather than preventing it
Roosevelt Open · 1
THW ban religious practices that cause cruelty to animals.
Turku Open · 3

2013 (8 motions)

THBT International development institutions (such as the World Bank) should not finance natural resource extraction projects in corrupt states
Berlin WUDC 2013 · 4
THBT policies that may have significant environmental consequences should be subject to a veto by a 'supreme court' of scientific experts
Berlin WUDC 2013 · EFL_Semis
Should modes of energy production that significantly alter the Umweltnieschen (surrounding/environment?) be banned?
Frischlingscup · 2
THBT environmental agencies should start a campaign of sabotage and destruction against major pollution companies
Manchester EUDC 2013 · ESL_Semis
THW require major polluters to open their borders to environmental refugees.
Oxford IV · 4
THW give primates and cetaceans the same rights to life, freedom from physical harm and freedom of movement as humans.
Cambridge IV · 1
THW prevent those who deny climate change from seeking political office.
Cambridge IV · ESL_Semis
THW, as David Icke, dedicate the rest of its life to exposing the lizard people. (Info)
Bristol ProAM · Open_Semis

2012 (2 motions)

TH supports scientists who fabricate evidence exaggerating the certainty of man-made climate change, where there is a low likelihood to be caught.
De La Salle WUDC 2012 · ESL_Final
Should the Dönertier be placed under environmental protection?
Gutenberg Cup · Open_Final

2011 (2 motions)

This House would buy local
Botswana WUDC 2011 · Masters_1
THBT natural resources should belong to the world and not to any individual country
Red Sea Open · 6

2010 (1 motions)

This House Believes That developing nations should have the right to give priority to development ahead of the environment
WSDC 2010 · Round 6 (impromptu) · World Schools Debating Championships

2009 (1 motions)

This house believes that China and India should bear the same obligations as the West in fighting climate change
Cork WUDC 2009 · 5

2008 (3 motions)

This House believes that the European Union should only direct aid to nations that pursue environmentally sustainable development.
Assumption WUDC 2008 · 4
This house would let them eat whale
Assumption WUDC 2008 · Masters_3
This House Would make the directors of multinational companies personally liable for environmental abuses committed by their companies in the developing world
WSDC 2008 · Round 5 (prepared) · World Schools Debating Championships

2007 (1 motions)

This house believes that economic growth is the solution to climate change
UBC WUDC 2007 · Open_Final

Motions are free. Judged rounds are the product.

Our students debate motions like these every week in full judged rounds, with oral adjudication and written feedback after every one.

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