Climate and energy

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the United States.

In high schools across the nation, this year’s national debate topic is alternative energy. CEP has invited some of the best and brightest Kansas high school debate students to weigh in on the topic. Our Energy Debate ‘08 Guest Blog series will feature six debate teams across the state, from Dodge City to Overland Park.

Audrey Ballard is a senior at Manhattan High School, and has been on the debate team for 4 years. Here’s her answer to the question we posed: What does Kansas’ energy future hold?

There is no such thing as free energy. Every type of energy, no matter how “clean” it may seem, always has some negative ramifications. Kansans object to wind power because it kills birds and is ugly to look at. Nuclear energy produces radioactive waste that must be stored. Ethanol uses valuable land and still releases carbon dioxide. People are always looking for the silver bullet. But it is important that we realize no solution will ever be perfect.

We must also recognize that our current energy and environmental problems cannot be fixed in one fell swoop. The longer we wait to start solving the problem, the more permanent it becomes. Though we worry right now about wind turbines killing birds, if we wait until climate change takes its toll, whole species of birds could be wiped out. If we continue in this all-or-nothing mindset, we will be left with nothing.

So when we begin to evaluate alternative energy, we have to look to how much it can benefit the environment, not its minor flaws. We need to take baby steps to reach our goal, and realize we cannot solve this energy crisis overnight.

Audrey Ballard
Manhattan High School

CEP Debate ‘08 series coordinated by CEP Director of Outreach, Eileen Horn