PRMS Making the Case: 8th Grade Debate Topics: Topics

4: Fast Fashion

Can fast fashion retail ever be sustainable?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

The fast fashion industry is shifting toward sustainability by using sustainable materials and offering recycling programs.

• A Sustainable Future for The Fashion Industry
• Who Will Take Your Old Cashmere?
• How High Jewelery Is Becoming More Sustainable and Ethical

Viewpoint 2: Negative

The fast fashion industry is polluting the environment with an excess of unsold inventory.

• Playing Fast and Loose with the Lives of Garment Workers
• Fast Fashion: Cheap Clothing at a Great Cost
• Why Fast Fashion Is Destroying Our Planet...and Your Wallets

Find more sources for 'Fast Fashion'

 

5: Endangered Species

Should the Endangered Species Act be maintained?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

No, the Act's economic impact and potential for misuse outweigh its benefits.

• Lankford, Colleagues Work to Overturn Biden's Rule on Endangered Species Act
• Wildlife Agency Fails to Address Extinction in Changes to Endangered Species Regulations
• Businesses Putting Animals in Danger of Extinction

Viewpoint 1: Negative

Yes, it has effectively protected endangered species from extinction.

• Bird, Plant Species on Navy-Owned Island Are no Longer Threatened, Endangered
• This Butterfly Was Once Thought Extinct. Now It's off the Endangered Species List
• Tiny Fish a Big Part of Tennessee History

Find more sources for 'Endangered Species'

 

6: Overpopulation

Should strict population control measures be enacted to protect the environment?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Overpopulation has a detrimental effect on the environment.

• Is Overpopulation Really Worsening Climate Change?
• Earth Day to Earth Disaster
• This Earth Day, Let's Talk About Overpopulation

Viewpoint 2: Negative

The negative impact of overpopulation on the environment has been exaggerated.

• Population Decline Isn't a Problem (And 'More Babies' Isn't a Solution)
• China's Population Takes a Drop
• Tokyo Is so Crowded the Government Is Paying Families to Leave

Find more sources for 'Overpopulation'

 

7: Water Use

Should mandatory restrictions be implemented to conserve water?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Governments should adopt better water conservation policies.

• U.S. Is Set to Carve Up Colorado River's Water
• Arizona Is Racing to Its Last Drop of Groundwater
• 'Water Is a Human Right': City of Jackson Still in Dire Need of Infrastructure Help to Fight Water Crisis

Viewpoint 2: Negative

Water conservation should be up to the individual.

• City Should Do More in Water Conservation
• Declaring War on Thirsty Grass
• Where Water's Scarce, Lawns Are Cut Out and Carted Away

Find more sources for 'Water Use'

 

8: Animal Experimentation

Should animals be used for biomedical and commercial research?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

No, animal testing is not necessary to progress biomedical or product-safety research and leads to the needless suffering and death of millions of animals.

• Humane Society International Welcomes Partial Ban on Animal Testing for Cosmetics in Brazil
• Animal Testing Should Be Banned
• By Appointing a Visionary Leader, Biden Could Seal His Legacy as a Champion of Americans' Health

Viewpoint 2: Negative

Yes, the use of animals is needed to achieve advances in human health and ensure products are safe for human use.

• Animal Research Essential to Medical Innovations
• Animals Are Our Overlooked Allies in the Fight Against Covid
• Animal Research Crucial in COVID-19 Vaccine Development

Find more sources for 'Animal Experimentation'

 

9: Renewable Energy

Should renewable energy sources replace fossil fuels?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Renewable energy sources should replace fossil fuels because they are plentiful and environmentally friendly.

• Oil Industry Workers Flock to Renewables
• New York’s Wind Power Future Is Taking Shape. In Rhode Island
• Is a Dam in Rural Portugal a Key to Our Alternative Energy Future?

Viewpoint 2: Negative

Renewable energy sources are not cost-effective and are unreliable compared to fossil fuels.

• Establishing Wind Energy in Germany Hasn't Been a Breeze
• Offshore Wind Farms Threaten New Jersey's Shellfish Industry
• War in Ukraine Drives Up Cost of Renewable-Energy Projects

Find more sources for 'Renewable Energy'

 

Are environmental laws enough to prevent health problems in humans?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Environmental policies are a beneficial method to prevent health issues.

• EPA Plans to Stop 6 Power Plants from Dumping Toxic Coal Ash into Unlined Ponds
• E.P.A. to Propose Restrictions on Asbestos
• Biden Administration Launches Crackdown on Pollution from Power Plants

Viewpoint 2: Negative

Environmental regulations are not effective enough to prevent health issues.

• The E.P.A. Has Failed the People of East Palestine
• Feds Are Sending Medical Experts to Ohio Toxic Train Wreck Site as Residents' Safety Concerns Simmer
• 3 Chicago-Area Oil Refineries That Dump Toxic Chemicals into Lake Michigan and Other Waterways Are Among Worst Polluters in US, Study Shows

Find more sources for 'Environmental Health'

 

11: Alternative Medicine

Should alternative therapies be assimilated into mainstream medicine?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Yes, alternative medicine should be used to complement conventional medicine.

• For Some, Yoga, Massage, Meditation Spell Relief
• Physicians Shouldn't Condescend to Those Preferring Alternative Medicine
• New Age Care Finds a Place In Therapy

Viewpoint 2: Negative

No, alternative therapies have not been proven effective and are potentially dangerous.

• Beware the Lure of 'Natural'
• Potential Dangers of Alternative Medicine
• Following the Internet's Orders

Find more sources for 'Alternative Medicine'

 

12: E-waste

Is electronic waste a problem?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

E-waste contains chemicals that may damage the environment if disposed of improperly.

• 'A Mountain That Just Keeps Growing'
• Used Solar Panels Could Clog Landfills if They Are Not Recycled Properly
• World's Richest Countries Damaging Child Health Worldwide: UNICEF

Viewpoint 2: Negative

E-waste recycling is more environmentally-friendly because it minimizes waste.

• Are You Contributing to Electronic Waste?
• Expiring Solar Panels, EV Batteries and Wind Turbines Can Create Huge Waste
• E-Waste: The Circular Economy Will Cure Many Ills

Find more sources for 'E-Waste'

 

14: Concussions in Sports

Should sports leagues do more to limit the risk of concussions and other head injuries?

Viewpoint 1: Positive

Yes, rules and policies should be changed to make sports safer.

• The NFL's Protocols Didn't Save Miami QB
• NHL Still Has Its Head in the Sand
• NHL Must Do More to Avoid Health Crisis

Viewpoint 2: Negative

No, rules and policies should not be changed because athletes understand that sports are inherently risky.

• We Used to Care That Football Players Got Concussions
• We Look Past Pro Football's Greater Risks
• NHL's Attitude to Concussion Cuts No Ice with Families of Victims

Find more sources for 'Concussions in Sports'

18: Peak Oil

Have we reached global peak oil production?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Global oil production is nearing its peak and we must turn our attention to alternative sources of energy.

• Fossil-Fuel Demand Could Peak by Mid-2020s
• We May Be Past Peak Oil
• How Much of the World's Oil Needs to Stay in the Ground?

Viewpoint 2: Negative

Global oil production has not peaked; petroleum reserves are at all-time highs.

• How Much Fossil Fuel is Left?
• Oil Demand Could Peak by 2025 As Energy Transition Gains Steam
• One of Dirtiest Oil Patches Is Pumping More Than Ever

Find more sources for 'Peak Oil'

 

19: Antibiotics Resistance

Should farms be banned from providing antibiotics to livestock?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Antibiotics should be banned from livestock in order to prevent more cases of antibiotic resistance.

• FDA and USDA Need to Get on Board with the CDC About Reducing Antibiotic Use in Raising Animals for Food
• FDA Needs to Follow Through on Its Plan to Ban Carbadox in Animal Feed
• Antibiotic Residues in Livestock Products: A Public Health Hazard

Viewpoint 2: Negative

Antibiotics are needed to keep livestock herds healthy and prevent disease outbreaks.

• Vaccinations and Antibiotics Are Hallmarks of Herd Health
• Feed Prescriptions to Ensure Appropriate Antibiotic Use
• National Pork Board: U.S. Pig Farmers Embrace Responsible Antibiotic Use

Find more sources for 'Antibiotic Resistance'

 

20: Food Safety

Is the federal government doing enough to ensure the safety of the nation's food supply?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Lapses in food safety measures may lead to outbreaks of foodborne illness.

• FDA Report Faults Agency's Food Unit for Leaderless Dysfunction
• Epidemiologists: The Federal Government Is Failing Americans on Food Safety When It Comes to Pork
• Food Expiration Dates Don't Have Much Science Behind Them

Viewpoint 2: Negative

The USDA and the FDA have made food safety and protecting the public's health a top priority.

• U.S. Begins New Food Safety Program
• Lab-Grown Meat Is Safe to Eat, Regulators Say
• Food Recalls: How Technology Could Alert You Before You Eat That Tainted Salad

Find more sources for 'Food Safety'

 

21: Vaccines

Should vaccinations be compulsory?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Yes, vaccines should be required for the sake of public health.

• Biden's Vaccine Mandates Must Remain Intact
• Vaccine Mandates Are a Matter of Community Self-Defence -- and Justice
• COVID-19 Vaccinations Should Be Mandatory

Viewpoint 2: Negative

No, vaccines should be a personal choice.

• COVID-19 Vaccinations Should Not Be Mandatory
• A Weakness in the Argument for Vaccine Mandates
• Mandating Vaccines Disrupts Personal Responsibility

Find more sources for 'Vaccines'

 

22: Global Warming

Are human activities causing global warming?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Human activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions, are causing global warming.

• Climate change: The Greenhouse Gases Causing Global Warming
• Large Glacier Near Seattle Has 'Completely Disappeared,' Says Researcher Who Has Tracked It for Years
• Fact Check: Global Warming Caused by Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Not Mysterious Ocean Warming

Viewpoint 2: Negative

Global warming is the result of a cyclical change in the weather.

• MLB Home Run Counts Are Rising -- And Global Warming Is Playing a Role
• Cold Weather Events Heat Global Warming Concerns
• Climate Change Didn't Unleash Giant Iceberg, Scientists Say

Find more sources for 'Global Warming'

 

23: Vegetarianism

Is a vegetarian diet better than a diet that includes meat?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Yes, a vegetarian diet is the healthier, more environmentally sustainable, and more ethical option.

• Is Veganuary Bad for You? A Nutritionist Explains Why Plant-Based Diets Need Proper Planning
• Vegan School Meals Do More Than Keep Children Healthy
• Veganuary 2023 to Reinforce India's Love for Plants and the Planet

Viewpoint 2: Negative

No, a vegetarian diet can be less healthy and is not necessarily more environmentally or ethically sound.

• Why I Won't Do Veganuary This Year -- or Ever Again
• Vegetarian Women Are at Higher Risk of Hip Fracture Than Habitual Meat Eaters
• 'I Tried to Improve my Health Through Veganism, but It Made my Life so Much Worse'

Find more sources for 'Vegetarianism'

 

24: Driverless Vehicles

Do the benefits of driverless vehicles outweigh the risks?

Viewpoint 1: Affirmative

Yes, the advantages of safer roads and cleaner emissions outweigh the risks associated with driverless vehicles.

• Ottawa Firm Teaching Cars to Sense Snow
• Mercedes Leapfrogs Past Tesla on Automated Highway Driving
• Autonomous Farm Tech and Digital Connectivity Show Way Forward in Agriculture

Viewpoint 2: Negative

No, the risks associated with software problems and the unpredictability of artificial intelligence outweigh the potential benefits of driverless vehicles.

• When Will Cars Be Fully Self-Driving? The Technology Isn't Anywhere Near Where It Needs to Be to Replace Human Drivers
• Self-Driving Car Services Want to Expand in San Francisco Despite Recent Hiccups
• Tesla's Self-Driving Technology Comes Under Justice Dept. Scrutiny

Find more sources for 'Driverless Vehicles'

 

Johnson Hour 1

Cloning: Lauren F., Hamza, Mollie D., Saanvi

Zoos: Annabelle, Trent, Maryn, Dane

Fast Fashion: Chandana, Max, Jaden, Judah

Animal Experimentation: Ruby, Vivian, Aahil, Jack

Artificial Intelligence: Srikar, Aashi, Zach F.

Video Game Addiction: Asma, Brody P., Kennedy B.

Food Safety: Sarah C., Braydon, Mason, Anna T.

Driverless Cars: Silas, Jackson, Jude, Adam

 

Johnson Hour 2

Fast Fashion: Mina, Noor, Millicent, Solece

Endangered Species: Ava, Ivy, Xhandrielle

Overpopulation: Charlotte, Channing, Soham, Wyatt

Animal Experimentation: Maddie, Kinley, Brad, Donovan

Concessions: Aarav, Gavin, Tanvi, Brooke

Artificial Intelligence: Maya, Try, Sebastian

Driverless Cars: McKenna, Lily, Joey, Jett

 

 

 

Johnson Hour 3

Zoos: Tvisha, Phyllis, Cole, Hayden B.

Overpopulation: Addy, Likith, Elaine, MacKenzie

Animal Experimentation: Madighan, Garrett, Zemrie, Riddhi

Artificial Intelligence: Bennett B., Kaitlyn F., Priyana, Aubrey

Video Game Addiction: Gavyn, Kaleb, Liv, Ava N.

Vaccines: Beau, Mallory, Buvan, Reghan

Driverless Cars: Xander, Ella E., Maggie, Sai

 

Johnson Hour 4

Zoos: Kate, Shay, Caitlyn M., Claire

Endangered Species: Terran, Gavin H., Abigail, Avery

Animal Testing:  Lila, Cali, Jordan, Brock

Water Use: Ethan, Christopher, Acey

Renewed Energy: Mason, Hannah, Callie K., Michael 

Environmental Health: Liam, Sohan, Aisha

Concessions: RJ, Van, Isabel, Jessica

Artificial Intelligence: Faith, Colin, Cooper