1. AFFIRMATIVE CASE POSSIBILITIES Rich Edwards Baylor University 2014-15 National Policy Topic Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its non-military exploration and/or development of the Earth’s oceans.

2. Law of the Sea Develop Energy Resources Reduce Risk of Conflict Protect Ocean Environment

3. Ocean Energy Global Warming Oceans Especially Threatened Ocean Renewable Energy Superior

4. Explore Oceans Are Vital Basic Ocean Science Needed to Save Fisheries Science Tsunami Protection

5. Rare Earths Vital to National Security China Has Monopoly Ocean Offers Superior Alternative

6. Seaports Federal Responsibility Vital to U.S. Economy Vital to Environment RAMP Act Solves

7. Coral Reefs Reefs Dying Now All Life in the Ocean Is at Risk Restoration Is Superior to Preservation

8. Aqua- Culture Reliance on Aquaculture is Inevitable Imported Aquaculture Especially Destructive Proper Regulation Solves

9. Over- Fishing Overfishing Is Extensive Single-Species Regulation Inherently Flawed Marine Protected Areas Provide the Solution

10. Whales Whales Are Threatened Seismic Airgun Blasts Harm Whales Banning Seismic Airgun Blasts Vital to Saving Whales

11. Invasive Species Invasive Species Threaten the Ocean Environment Current Standards Inadequate Phase 2 BWM Standard Needed

12. Marine Cables Internet Security Vital Marine Cables Essential to Internet Security UNCLOS necessary to Secure Marine Cables

13. Iron Fertilization Study Climate Change May Be Unstoppable Reasonable Measures Must Be Examined Iron Fertilization May Offer a Last-Ditch Solution

14. Rule of Law U.S. Unilateralism Threatens the Global Commons UNCLOS Offers a Key Test of U.S. Willingness to Support Rule of Law

15. Arctic Resources Arctic Resources Are Massive Arctic Resources Will be Exploited U.S. Environmental Standards Will Best Preserve the Arctic Environment

16. De- Salination Fresh Water Supplies Are in Seriously Short Supply Water Shortages Inevitably Cause Conflict Desalination Offers an Optimal Solution

17. National Ocean Policy Executive Order Is in Place But Requires Congressional Action Ecosystem-Based Management Will Replace Ineffective Single-Species Management

18. Save Sea Turtles Sea Turtles Are Endangered Measures Are Available to Save Sea Turtles Only a Holistic Approach Will Be Enough

19. Ocean Pollution Plastic Pollution Dead Zones Mercury Pollution Cruise Ship Discharge

20. Illegal Fishing Illegal Fishing Practices Abound U.S. imports 90% of its seafood U.S. should ratify the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

21. Ban Bottom Trawling Bottom trawling destroys ocean ecosystems Bottom trawling is currently allowed in most U.S. ocean waters. Banning bottom trawling will preserve ocean ecosystems.