Introduction to policy debates

Delivering a Compelling Policy – Proposition

KIRAN IYER: We must act against climate change before it is too late. Rising sea levels threaten to sweep away small islands. Extreme weather events like floods and cyclones devastate countries around the world, with the worst consequences for the poorest. Droughts threaten food production and wipe out entire species.

Our only hope to stop the worst consequences of climate change, according to the world’s leading climate scientists, is to keep the increase in global temperatures caused by climate change to less than 2 degrees Celsius. To achieve that goal, we need to take radical action against climate change.

What do we mean by radical action against climate change? Well, we support halving the use of dirty fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, by 2030. To achieve this, all developed countries will substantially increase funding for renewable technologies, such as solar, wind and electric power. There will also be a global tax on carbon pollution, making it incredibly expensive for businesses to use fossil fuels and giving customers an incentive to change their energy use. We would also require developed countries to pay to help smaller developing countries change their energy consumption, such as by funding new, clean forms of energy.

Introduction to policy debates

Delivering a Compelling Policy – Opposition

KIRAN IYER: We agree that climate change is a problem, with serious consequences for current and future generations.

However, we oppose taking radical action against climate change. The Proposition’s plan to halve the use of dirty fossil fuels by 2030 by substantially increasing funding for renewables, imposing a global tax on carbon and paying developing countries to change their energy consumption, would be disastrous for the global economy. It would make developed and developing countries much poorer at a time where they need funds to be able to adapt to the effects of climate change.

Instead, we support keeping the status quo, in which countries take cautious action against climate change, while prioritising the health of their economies. We trust in the power of the market to be able to find technological solutions to climate change over time. Although the status quo isn’t perfect, it is much better than the alternative proposed by the Proposition, which would be incredibly damaging.

Introduction to policy debates

Summary

KIRAN IYER: We hope you enjoyed the first lesson of Big Voice!

Today we have looked at the foundation of policy debating – building a powerful policy on both the Proposition and Opposition sides of a debate. We showed you how to use the problem-solution approach to come up with a clear position, choose your line and set yourself up to win.

If you want to go deeper into anything we have covered today, check out the Want More section that follows for a range of additional resources.

Before you log out, we’d really appreciate you taking 30 seconds to submit Feedback on this lesson – it will make a huge difference in helping us to improve the course in future weeks.

Next week, we will look at how to make compelling arguments for the solution that you have developed. We look forward to seeing you then, hopefully with less confusing hairstyle and outfit changes than this week!