Should College DEI Programs Be Abolished? Is Climate Change an Emergency?: Young Voices Debate
Open to Debate
It's not often that young people have the opportunity to debate major issues in public before a distinguished set of judges. Incubate Debate, an organization founded in 2019, does just that by encouraging middle-school and high school students to present their views, exchange ideas, and conduct debates in a civil forum. At its 2024 championship tournament in Jacksonville, Florida, students debated two major issues: should college DEI programs be abolished, and is climate change an emergency?
Although precise definitions vary, DEI—which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion—generally refers to the policy of creating a professional environment that treats all people fairly and welcomes participation by all types of people, particularly those from groups that have been historically excluded or underrepresented. As part of this effort, many institutions of higher education have established DEI programs to encourage a more diverse faculty and student body. Supporters of DEI programs argue that colleges should spur hiring and admission of individuals from long-marginalized groups and that by opening their doors to people from a broad array of backgrounds they will better reflect the American population. Opponents of DEI programs argue that they treat people not as unique individuals but as members of racial, ethnic, or other groups and that colleges should hire and admit individuals based solely on their talents and aptitude. Should DEI programs be abolished?
Since the dawn of industrialization in the 18th and 19th centuries, the earth's climate has been changing. The emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere caused by the burning of coal, oil, and other fossil fuels has warmed the planet. This warming has increased in recent decades, melting mountain glaciers, raising the temperature of oceans, and altering weather patterns. These changes are transforming the earth, but how dire is the situation? Is climate change an emergency?