The Problem
The most essential part of the water cycle to all life on Earth is freshwater existing on the land surface. Just ask your neighbor, a tree, or any living organism. Of the total water supply on Earth, only three percent makes up freshwater. Of this small percentage, only thirty percent of freshwater is easily accessible through groundwater, rivers, lakes, and streams. Throughout the majority of this century, inexpensive supplies of high quality water have been taken for granted. Water has rarely been seen as a scarce natural resource, up until now. Today there are several reports of declining groundwater tables, contamination of drinking water with chemical toxins and pesticides, and pollution of lakes, rivers, and streams due to sediment run off caused by urbanization. Each year, 20,000 acres of forest in Virginia alone are converted into urban developments. This attributes to flooding and an increase in filtration costs due to degradation of forest cover. Not only do these issues create costs for industry, agriculture, and water treatment programs, but it is also reducing the amount of storage for drinking water that is available in reservoirs and bays. In addition, these concerns are causing an increase in the depletion of the fresh water supply, a resource we cannot afford to lose. If we continue to destroy forests at this rate in order to create farms and land development, these problems will only continue and will become more drastic.
Our Position
There is little or no need to restrict the property rights in order to protect the natural fresh water supply. The solution to the stresses on the water supply caused by population growth and urban sprawl can be solved by engineering technologies. Skeptics like to believe that these technological alternatives are too expensive and also emit pollutants back into the environment. The fact is that we cannot stop urban sprawl. Restricting property rights can influence economic development for better or for worse. The solution systems do not always have to involve industrial facilities that require energy and create high levels of waste. One example is using constructed wetlands as a waste-water treatment facility. This is a facility that uses retention ponds for pretreatment and constructed wetland cells for treatment of sewage and waste waters. These facilities are generally less expensive to construct and far less expensive to maintain than traditional industrial waste-water treatment facilities. As the quantity of the volume of wastewater per unit time that the facility will treat increases the economic and practical justification of these constructed wetlands decreases. This is because they would require a very large area of land for development and high waste water rates are associated with more urban areas. Constructed wetlands produce significant amounts of concentrated sludge that must be disposed. One option is to sell the waste to farmers as a fertilizer. This is just one example of a technology that has been engineered to address the growing fresh water problems. Other methods include using dams, retaining walls, dikes, reservoirs, and levees. These controls will be sufficient until a system is developed for economical and efficient desalinization. Technological advancements are the best methods to provide a sustainable water cycle while continuing urban sprawl. Conservation and the restriction of property rights will only reduce the symptoms created by the problems that technology can solve.
Their Positions
Without the aid of technology, water restrictions will only get tighter as the human population continues to expand in an endless manner. Urban sprawl will be an on-going issue regardless of whether techno-skeptics criticize engineering or not, so sitting passively will not help reach any necessary goals. Pollutants are actually being contained and redistributed to professionals in the agricultural-arena towards a more sustainable future. With 20,000 acres of forest lands in Virginia being converted into new developments annually, Transit Oriented Development will soon be obsolete as more and more residents will be inhabit the Wildland Urban Interface. With this growth happening, engineering would suffice as the best way to deliver resources to these new households. Private property rights can always be stripped away by the government through eminent domain practices outlined in the Constitution in order to increase the state’s revenue or any other reason they deem appropriate.
References
1. http://www.jswconline.org/content/39/2/86.full.pdf+html
2. http://books.google.com/books?id=YLck0PaQjXUC&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=role+engineering+has+with+sustaining+water+needs&source=bl&ots=F5MCBVBt7v&sig=qrBgrbF0EhY8J66lI3nADLZnO34&hl=en&ei=hT2jSp2rMoqe8QbtiMDwDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false
3. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/07/08/EDGOTQ8JBS1.DTL
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Update Outline
I. Main Points
1. Water as a resource is becoming scarce.
- Urbanization
- Deforestation
2. Engineering can help to solve the problem.
-New technologies to reduce erosion
-Reduce the amount of pesticides entering lakes, streams, and rivers
- Create more energy efficient solutions (cuts costs using hydropower etc.)
3. Engineering holds more opportunities
- Provides more Jobs
- Decrease the costs of filtration and sanitation of water
-A way to keep property rights.
4. Technology is the best solution
-Possible solutions include filtering, storing, transporting water to where it is needed.
-There is plenty of space in the world, so technology has no limits.
-limited development is simply not an option, smart growth only raises housing costs, punishes
the poor, and takes away property rights.
II. References
1. http://www.jswconline.org/content/39/2/86.full.pdf+html
2.http://books.google.com/books?id=YLck0PaQjXUC&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=role+engineering+has+with+sustaining+water+needs&source=bl&ots=F5MCBVBt7v&sig=qrBgrbF0EhY8J66lI3nADLZnO34&hl=en&ei=hT2jSp2rMoqe8QbtiMDwDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false
3. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/07/08/EDGOTQ8JBS1.DTL
4. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclefreshstorage.html
III. Assignments
1. Position Paper (Due on 11/17)
-Mikala- A. Problem, References
-A. Problem?
Our water supply is becoming very limited due to erosion and usage.
-B. Why a problem?
Our economy depends on water as well as our individual health. Without water physically wouldn’t be able to survive, nor be able to expand economically.
-ii. If nothing’s done?
Our water supply will run out and our economies will untimely fail.
-C. Who cares?
All of society should be concerned because it is our life and our planet.
-Peter-B. Our position, Conclusion, References
-A. What do you think needs to be done?
We believe that we can develop and improve existing water processing systems in order
to better filter the water, and recycle water. Engineering will play a major role in this.
This will provide our future needs for water and allow us to sustain water.
-B. Why is our course of action the best one?
1. Were not narsis or pessimistic
2. Today technology is thriving and has progressed incredibly and will continue to
3. There is going to be a huge environmental revolution, and every business will more
than likely start investing in going green….meaning there will be a lot of money for this.
-Justin-C. Their Position, References
A. Look above, same positions but more refined explanation.
Putting paper together-Mikala
Editing-All
2. Research Paper (Due on 11/19)
A. Intro (Mikala)
-Brief description of our position, group b and c’s position
-Overview of why water conservation is a problem
-Who is impacted by the problem
-Why action needs to be taken.
B. Arguments (Peter)
I. Capitalism
-Helps to make money
-provides more job opportunities
-Increases competition
II. Technology
-Examples that work
-Promising field
-Developing technologies
-
III. American Dream
- Won’t restrain property rights with zoning regulations
-unrestricted population flows (technology will be the solution)
-Able to pursue dreams and/or passions within fields (being apart of innovation and advancement.)
C. Each will contribute to the information used in the Critique of the other side. (Mikala will critique group A, Justin group c)
-Group A
-Limits our personal rights as citizens
-Government can’t be trusted—always be someone making money
-Water concern is not a justification because it is improvable not to pursue technological
advancements.
-Would negatively impact educational process about improving water resource
allocation.
-There are already too many land regulation in place.
-Economical limitations
-Group C
-Long term this would imply population conservation
-Would prevent growth
-Economical limitations
-Conserving simply won’t work because we are polluting water at such a high rate that it
will simply not be plausible.
D. Conclusion (Justin)
-Wrap up
E. References—all contribute each individual references used.
Putting Paper together- Justin
Editing- All
3. Debate Script/PowerPoint (Due 11/19)
Collaborative work effort
Email Outline: Justin
Debate is on 11/19!
1. Water as a resource is becoming scarce.
- Urbanization
- Deforestation
2. Engineering can help to solve the problem.
-New technologies to reduce erosion
-Reduce the amount of pesticides entering lakes, streams, and rivers
- Create more energy efficient solutions (cuts costs using hydropower etc.)
3. Engineering holds more opportunities
- Provides more Jobs
- Decrease the costs of filtration and sanitation of water
-A way to keep property rights.
4. Technology is the best solution
-Possible solutions include filtering, storing, transporting water to where it is needed.
-There is plenty of space in the world, so technology has no limits.
-limited development is simply not an option, smart growth only raises housing costs, punishes
the poor, and takes away property rights.
II. References
1. http://www.jswconline.org/content/39/2/86.full.pdf+html
2.http://books.google.com/books?id=YLck0PaQjXUC&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=role+engineering+has+with+sustaining+water+needs&source=bl&ots=F5MCBVBt7v&sig=qrBgrbF0EhY8J66lI3nADLZnO34&hl=en&ei=hT2jSp2rMoqe8QbtiMDwDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false
3. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/07/08/EDGOTQ8JBS1.DTL
4. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclefreshstorage.html
III. Assignments
1. Position Paper (Due on 11/17)
-Mikala- A. Problem, References
-A. Problem?
Our water supply is becoming very limited due to erosion and usage.
-B. Why a problem?
Our economy depends on water as well as our individual health. Without water physically wouldn’t be able to survive, nor be able to expand economically.
-ii. If nothing’s done?
Our water supply will run out and our economies will untimely fail.
-C. Who cares?
All of society should be concerned because it is our life and our planet.
-Peter-B. Our position, Conclusion, References
-A. What do you think needs to be done?
We believe that we can develop and improve existing water processing systems in order
to better filter the water, and recycle water. Engineering will play a major role in this.
This will provide our future needs for water and allow us to sustain water.
-B. Why is our course of action the best one?
1. Were not narsis or pessimistic
2. Today technology is thriving and has progressed incredibly and will continue to
3. There is going to be a huge environmental revolution, and every business will more
than likely start investing in going green….meaning there will be a lot of money for this.
-Justin-C. Their Position, References
A. Look above, same positions but more refined explanation.
Putting paper together-Mikala
Editing-All
2. Research Paper (Due on 11/19)
A. Intro (Mikala)
-Brief description of our position, group b and c’s position
-Overview of why water conservation is a problem
-Who is impacted by the problem
-Why action needs to be taken.
B. Arguments (Peter)
I. Capitalism
-Helps to make money
-provides more job opportunities
-Increases competition
II. Technology
-Examples that work
-Promising field
-Developing technologies
-
III. American Dream
- Won’t restrain property rights with zoning regulations
-unrestricted population flows (technology will be the solution)
-Able to pursue dreams and/or passions within fields (being apart of innovation and advancement.)
C. Each will contribute to the information used in the Critique of the other side. (Mikala will critique group A, Justin group c)
-Group A
-Limits our personal rights as citizens
-Government can’t be trusted—always be someone making money
-Water concern is not a justification because it is improvable not to pursue technological
advancements.
-Would negatively impact educational process about improving water resource
allocation.
-There are already too many land regulation in place.
-Economical limitations
-Group C
-Long term this would imply population conservation
-Would prevent growth
-Economical limitations
-Conserving simply won’t work because we are polluting water at such a high rate that it
will simply not be plausible.
D. Conclusion (Justin)
-Wrap up
E. References—all contribute each individual references used.
Putting Paper together- Justin
Editing- All
3. Debate Script/PowerPoint (Due 11/19)
Collaborative work effort
Email Outline: Justin
Debate is on 11/19!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Outline for group 7b's debate work!
I. Main Points
1. Water as a resource is becoming scarce.
- Urbanization
- Deforestation
2. Engineering can help to solve the problem.
-New technologies to reduce erosion
-Reduce the amount of pesticides entering lakes, streams, and rivers
- Create more energy efficient solutions (cuts costs using hydropower etc.)
3. Engineering holds more opportunities
- Provides more Jobs
- Decrease the costs of filtration and sanitation of water
-A way to keep property rights.
II. References
1. http://www.jswconline.org/content/39/2/86.full.pdf+html
2.http://books.google.com/books?id=YLck0PaQjXUC&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=role+engineering+has+with+sustaining+water+needs&source=bl&ots=F5MCBVBt7v&sig=qrBgrbF0EhY8J66lI3nADLZnO34&hl=en&ei=hT2jSp2rMoqe8QbtiMDwDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false
3. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/07/08/EDGOTQ8JBS1.DTL
III. Assignments
1. Position Paper (Due on 10/19)
-Mikala- A. Problem, References
-Peter-B. Our position, References
-Justin-C. Their Position, References
Conclusion-All
Putting paper together-Mikala
Editing-All
2. Research Paper (Due on 11/08)
-Each will write about an argument supporting point
-Each will contribute to the information used in the Critique of the other side. (Peter will write section of paper)
-References—all contribute each individual references used.
Putting Paper together- Justin
Editing- All
3. Debate Script/PowerPoint (Will work on 11/15)
Collaborative work effort
Email Outline: Justin
Debate is on 11/19!
1. Water as a resource is becoming scarce.
- Urbanization
- Deforestation
2. Engineering can help to solve the problem.
-New technologies to reduce erosion
-Reduce the amount of pesticides entering lakes, streams, and rivers
- Create more energy efficient solutions (cuts costs using hydropower etc.)
3. Engineering holds more opportunities
- Provides more Jobs
- Decrease the costs of filtration and sanitation of water
-A way to keep property rights.
II. References
1. http://www.jswconline.org/content/39/2/86.full.pdf+html
2.http://books.google.com/books?id=YLck0PaQjXUC&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=role+engineering+has+with+sustaining+water+needs&source=bl&ots=F5MCBVBt7v&sig=qrBgrbF0EhY8J66lI3nADLZnO34&hl=en&ei=hT2jSp2rMoqe8QbtiMDwDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false
3. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/07/08/EDGOTQ8JBS1.DTL
III. Assignments
1. Position Paper (Due on 10/19)
-Mikala- A. Problem, References
-Peter-B. Our position, References
-Justin-C. Their Position, References
Conclusion-All
Putting paper together-Mikala
Editing-All
2. Research Paper (Due on 11/08)
-Each will write about an argument supporting point
-Each will contribute to the information used in the Critique of the other side. (Peter will write section of paper)
-References—all contribute each individual references used.
Putting Paper together- Justin
Editing- All
3. Debate Script/PowerPoint (Will work on 11/15)
Collaborative work effort
Email Outline: Justin
Debate is on 11/19!
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