Many people agree upon the fact that the earth is at stake; the temperature of this planet is increasing because of global warming and greenhouse effect, and the natural resources is depleted in unprecedentedly fast speed ever. Moreover, Amazon, world's biggest forest, is devastated and Pacific Ocean is now full of trashes. Something needs to be done.
However, the Story of Stuff, which is a video clip that deals with the environmental problems of the earth, is obviously exaggerated and overblown. I know the environmental pollutions are serious, but I also question the accuracy of the information in this video clip.
Firstly, this video clip has a problem of misuse of figures and statistics. For example, the speaker in this video says "Most of the forest in USA is totally devastated", or "More than 50% of Federal Government budget is used in purpose of military budget". False advertising!
US government does not pour that much money into military budget. And if the forest of America had been destroyed at the speed she claims, the world would have been gone already. Inaccurate use of statistics and numbers should be blamed.
Secondly, Leonard's opinions are very radical and extreme. Of course, no one denies the earth is at stake. No one denies something needs to be done. However, her radical and extreme stance not only distorts the truth, but also causes even more serious problems. If this clip is shown in elementary schools, many students will accept her extreme and biased opinions. What's even more problematic is that she targets Capitalism and Consumerism, which are the fundamental basis of current political system. She just seems to express her hostility against the government.
Her opinion is partiailly right. We need some changes because the earth is at very dangerous stage. Everyone knows it. However, the way of her argumentation is just absurd. The examples and statistics she provided are factually incorrect, and her logic is extreme, radical and unbiased.
Motion:
1. This House Would ban plastic shopping bags in supermarkets.
2. This House Believes That the state has a right to ban extremely hostile speeches against government.
3. This House Believes That Greenpeace should be allowed to use extreme methods to protect Earth
