Global Debates Resource Center

Welcome to the TPS Global Debates Resource Center.  We've provided you with links, vidoes, and other resources to help you prepare for your Global Debate. Here are the resources for the October Global Debate: "Resolved: Market resources are preferable to regulartory approaches in lowering carbon emissions."

Climate Science

• NPR Climate Connections: It's All About Carbon
• Real Climate: The CO2 Problem in 6 Easy Step
• UN Foundation: Realizing the Potential of Energy Efficiency Report

Market Mechanisms

In a market-based approach, emissions are primarily reduced by voluntary actions taken by businesses and others. In this approach, there are economic incentives for reducing carbon emissions. An example of this is the "cap and trade" approach.

• Pew Climate: Business Resources
• Public Citizen: Toxic Trading: Carbon Emissions on the Market
• The NewsHour: Emissions Trading Ins and Outs

Regulatory Approaches

Regulatory approaches mean that the government sets and enforces mandatory limits on the amount of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide that individuals or companies can produce. One example of a regulatory approach is a carbon tax.

• Pew Climate: Policy Center
• Sustain Lane: Best Practices for government regulation of greenhouse gases
• U.S. Climate Action Partnership: A Call to Action (pdf)
• The Online NewsHour Climate Change Debate
• BBC Q&A: Carbon Trading