"This House believes that conservation of the natural environment has greater importance than economic growth"
Marine Environmental Managers proposed the above,while , We, Marine Leisure Management opposed the motion.
With the population of our planet now standing @ 6.5 billion , up from 1 billion last century and projected to rise to 9 billion in 2050 (
http://www.guardian.co/ uk 27/12/05 visited 22/11/08)The maximum use of the planets resources to feed the growing population is vital, but
must be sustainable. The possibility of returning to 4 crop rotational farming has been proposed to use much less petroleum based fertilizers and act as a carbon sink thus reducing the atmospheric greenhouse gases.
(M.L.M) proposed sustainable power solutions aka"Eco" power and perversely ,Nuclear power which has a minimal carbon footprint although the decommissioning and nuclear processing of spent fuels has to be considered. We suggested Wind/tidal/Wave and solar( interestingly,all gain their power from our Sun ,a Star) These power solutions were proposed to fuel an economic success, although M.L.M thought growth at all costs to be a cost to
high.With manufacturing output down,(a third quarter in a row, a total of 1.3%) The fTSE(financial times stock exchange)@6500 in 2007now, in recession, some would say depression,fTSE now stands @4250(#www.timesonline.co.uk/business 09.11.08) .Also,the Dollar exchange has dived from £1.00=$2.05 three months ago to <$1.50 now plus devaluation with the EURO both tell a very sorry tale! The need for work is very real but has to balance the sustainability of the environment. The arguments were very persuasive for stopping overfishing and when two or more edible wild fish are caught to feed one farmed fish.The biodiversity of natural reforest is destroyed ,to be replaced with a monoculture of Palm oil crop, which is mainly used for bio Diesel. Where cruise ships directly and indirectly pollute the environment.Where Algae/seaweed is taken/cropped, faster than it can replenish, these are all very important topics. We, the opposing team found that the Environmental Impact Assessment(E.I.A)had come up with some workable suggestions for Falmouth with the dredging and cruise ship terminal(
http://www.falmouthport.co.uk/ visited 20/10/2008)
The 300 berth marina @ falmouth docks was presold off plan and is using a"cleaned "up "brown" site that is vacant and unused.
Heathrow's third Runway is being led by demand by passengers who selfishly travel using low taxed fuel around the
Earth@35000 ft polluting directly the upper atmosphere,also these passengers could just take their business to Frankfurt or Paris.
Trump, who wishes to make two golf links courses, hotels and houses must not be allowed to ruin the local fauna and Fawnia (trump marches on
http://www.timesonline.co.ukSummery of Debating Points
Marine Environmental Managers 'proposed conservation on both a practical and moral issues. they ,as a team came forward with four main topics:
- Aquaculture and overfishing
- Deforestation- slash and burn, Rain Forrest to palm oil plantation
- Algae(seaweed)harvesting
- threat to environment re;cruise ships and dredging.
Marine Leisure Managers responded with a holistic open-minded overview, while trying to be objective in the balance of environment v economic growth.We came forward with four main topics and interestingly one was the same as M.E.M.
- Dredging and cruise ship docking in Falmouth
- 300 yacht berth marina in Falmouth Docks
- Trumps' 2 links golf courses, hotels and houses
- Heathrows' 3rd runway
How one felt about preparation; delivery; dynamics and issues;plus ideas for the future
The whole debate was put together using Internet search engines "google" and "ask" . Also by walking to and talking to relevant official bodies i.e. Falmouth Harbour Commissioners. There is a mass of information out there, some well researched articles,some biased. My main concern was too much information and keeping focused in the debate.
The debate went well with Alex, Angie, Gavin, Ollie, and Laura all putting forward interesting and researched debating points. Alex made an excellent opening speech responded to by me ,Peter.This was followed by a calm , intelligent flowing debate ; both sides conceding and winning points with Rory Macphee overseeing and giving help.
I felt that both teams worked well together and responded intelligently. When one is working in a team there will always be strengths and weaknesses, but,generally both sides M.L.M v M.E.M held their views and countered each others arguments well.
In summery I propose a clean and clear future with no War or famine ,with a steady state of economic prosperity in balance with the natural environment. The use of fuels such as the byproducts of the Patagonian utmo tree fungus(www.guardian.co.uk 04/11/2008). Wave and Tidal power ,Solar and hopefully,fusion power. This the process of combining two hydrogen atoms to make Helium , very powerful and clean: look at the stars!!!!! We as a species have a responsibility to clean up our combined act.
