For this project, the motion I debated was, "Natural gas found in shale formations and coal bed methane formations is a cheap, clean, and abundant source of energy that should be a cornerstone of our energy production portfolio for the next several decades." I was debating opposed to the motion. Initially, I was undecided as to whether or not we should use natural gas our main source of energy, however, as I learned more about it, I believe we should not use natural gas to fuel our energy needs. One question I would like to study further is the difference between oil and natural gas. I was somewhat confused between the difference because I know the extraction methods are similar and they are typically found together. Whenever I researched natural gas, information about oil would always pop up as well.
While debating against someone who disagreed with me, it was hard to see the positives they were making and keep an open mind. It was also difficult knowing that I wouldn't be able to change their mind. Even though the purpose of our debate was to convince the audience, I really wanted to convince my opponents as well. I also had a hard time accepting some of the statements they were making as well.
In Humanities, my environmental ethic was rewilding. I strongly believe in letting the environment flourish in its natural state. Because of that, it was very easy for me to believe removing natural gas from our earth is not the right thing to do. It disrupts the natural flow our delicate ecosystem and it's not the way things should be done. During our debate, I believe I delivered my opening and closing statement well. I also believe I did a good job answering my opponents answers and bringing up new ideas. However, I did struggle when trying to describe some processes, such as how hydraulic fracturing causes earthquakes. I completely forgot the specifics and just ended up a mess. Also as mentioned before, I was somewhat confused between natural gas and oil, and only until after I watched the debate, I realized some of the facts I used were related to oil. I also said "um" quite frequently. I think this happened because I would start talking before I knew what I was actually going to say.
One statement I said was that high levels of Benzene were detected in ground water in Sublette county Wyoming. I found this statement to be true according to propublica.org. Another statement I made was fracking causes earthquakes. Unfortunately I wasn't able to express myself very well when describing how, however, according to research done by the Seismological Society of America, disposal wells, and deep holes dug into the ground are linked to an increase in seismic activity. This was found in an article by Times Magazine. One student on the opposing team said that towns, such as on the Bakken formation, have had an increase in economic activity and the community has gotten a lot of money. This statement appears to be true. The starting wage at Wal Mart is 17$ per hour which is considerably more compared to stores around our area. Another student also said that a water filter can remove benzene from water. This turns out to be true, however, normal water softeners do not work. Granular activated charcoal or carbon filters must be used to completely remove benzene from water.
While debating against someone who disagreed with me, it was hard to see the positives they were making and keep an open mind. It was also difficult knowing that I wouldn't be able to change their mind. Even though the purpose of our debate was to convince the audience, I really wanted to convince my opponents as well. I also had a hard time accepting some of the statements they were making as well.
In Humanities, my environmental ethic was rewilding. I strongly believe in letting the environment flourish in its natural state. Because of that, it was very easy for me to believe removing natural gas from our earth is not the right thing to do. It disrupts the natural flow our delicate ecosystem and it's not the way things should be done. During our debate, I believe I delivered my opening and closing statement well. I also believe I did a good job answering my opponents answers and bringing up new ideas. However, I did struggle when trying to describe some processes, such as how hydraulic fracturing causes earthquakes. I completely forgot the specifics and just ended up a mess. Also as mentioned before, I was somewhat confused between natural gas and oil, and only until after I watched the debate, I realized some of the facts I used were related to oil. I also said "um" quite frequently. I think this happened because I would start talking before I knew what I was actually going to say.
One statement I said was that high levels of Benzene were detected in ground water in Sublette county Wyoming. I found this statement to be true according to propublica.org. Another statement I made was fracking causes earthquakes. Unfortunately I wasn't able to express myself very well when describing how, however, according to research done by the Seismological Society of America, disposal wells, and deep holes dug into the ground are linked to an increase in seismic activity. This was found in an article by Times Magazine. One student on the opposing team said that towns, such as on the Bakken formation, have had an increase in economic activity and the community has gotten a lot of money. This statement appears to be true. The starting wage at Wal Mart is 17$ per hour which is considerably more compared to stores around our area. Another student also said that a water filter can remove benzene from water. This turns out to be true, however, normal water softeners do not work. Granular activated charcoal or carbon filters must be used to completely remove benzene from water.
This link is to my written essay for Humanities. To look at other parts of my project, you can to Junior Year, Humanities, Energy and Place.