Matt+&+Manu

=Contact= Aff -- matthewcliu@gmail.com Neg -- manumeel1@gmail.com

=Possible Affs=

Heg is amazing
Barnett 11 – Thomas P.M. – Former Senior Strategic Researcher and Professor in the Warfare Analysis & Research Department, Center for Naval Warfare Studies, U.S. Naval War College American military geostrategist and Chief Analyst at Wikistrat., worked as the Assistant for Strategic Futures in the Office of Force Transformation in the Department of Defense, “The New Rules: Leadership Fatigue Puts U.S., and Globalization, at Crossroads,” March 7 [] It is worth first examining the larger picture: We live in a time of AND the 20th century, setting the stage for the Pacific Century now unfolding.

Hegemony solves conflict escalation and great power war
Brooks, et al, 13 [Don't Come Home, America: The Case AND Volume 37, Number 3, Winter 2012, p. Project Muse] Assessing the Security Benefits of Deep Engagement Even if deep engagement's costs are far less AND disengaged—even as it pushes cooperation toward U.S. preferences.

Decline is overrated – hegemony is sustainable and natural gas is uniquely key
Rothkopf, 7/7 (David Rothkopf is CEO and Editor of the FP Group, [] (don’t hate on his quals – this guy is a beast), “Therapy for the Self-Hating Superpower”, [], July 7, 2014, ak.) America is in decline. America is broke. America is unwilling to lead. AND always be those who think that the only way to go is down.

Multipolarity leads to conflict
Lundestad and Jakobsen, 13 - *Associate Professor of Philosophy at Norges Arktiske Universitet (UiT), **Ph.D., Statistics (Eirik and Tor, 2-5-13, “A Unipolar World: Systems and Wars in Three Different Military Eras”, Popular Social Science, [], amp) A system of multipolarity increases rivalry in world politics, the reason being that many AND the United States was to dominate the global arena for the next half century

Hegemony is necessary to prevent inevitable great-power competition that escalates---subsumes their impact defense
Wohlforth 11 William C, Daniel Webster Professor at Dartmouth College, where he teaches in the Department of Government and is the editor-in-chief of Security Studies, “International Relations Theory and the Consequences of Unipolarity”, Cambridge University Press, p. 65-66 Conclusion¶ The evidence suggests that narrow and asymmetrical capabilities gaps foster status competition even AND for major power war could once again form the backdrop of world politics.

a) shale is unsustainable – collapse causes price spikes which tank the economy
Ahmed 14 – Dr. Nafeez Ahmed is the Executive Director of the Institute for Policy Research & Development and Chief Research Officer at Unitas Communications where he leads on geopolitical risk. (“Former BP geologist: peak oil is here and it will 'break economies'”, The Guardian, January 2014) What happens when the shale boom... goes boom? These scientific studies are not AND even bigger financial mess, on a faster trajectory toward costly environmental destruction.

b) Price spikes destroy steel manufacturing – plan solves
James 12 – Steve James is a correspondent for Reuters. (“Analysis: Steelmakers eye gas to cut costs, drive exports”, Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-steel-gas-idUSBRE82F12Y20120316) America's steel industry, for decades a symbol of industrial decline, is betting on AND symbol of American industrial power, a competitive edge in the 21st Century.

c) Steel manufacturing is key to heg
Buyer 07 — Steve Buyer is a Member of the U.S. House AND and 731 -TA-898-908),” July 31, 2007) A robust steel industry is fundamental to the security and economic viability of this nation AND matter – a vital instrument of our national security lies in your hands.

a) energy primacy is key to hegemony and prevents extinction
Hagel 12 – Chuck Hagel is a Professor at Georgetown University. (“The Challenge of Change”, [], May 15, 2012) A new world order is being built today by seven billion global citizens. America’s AND or region. Instability and violence disrupt supply and distribution and increase prices.
 * we don’t endorse holocaust-trivializing language

b) Natural gas revolution solidifies leadership
Mead 12 – Walter Russell Mead is the James Clark Chase Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College and an Editor-at-Large for American Interest. (“Energy Revolution 2: A Post Post-American Post”, American Interest, [], July 15, 2012) Forget peak oil; forget the Middle East. The energy revolution of the 21st AND role in shoring up the foundations of the American-led world order.

Perception of inadequate supply is blocking exports—a secure reserve is key
Ebinger et al 12 – Charles Ebinger is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Energy Security Initiative at the Brookings Institute. Kevin Massy is an Assistant Director of the Energy Security Initiative at the Brookings Institute. Govinda Avasarala is a Senior Research Assistant in the Energy Security Initiative at the Brookings Institute. (“Liquid Markets: Assessing the Case for U.S. Exports of Liquefied Natural Gas”, Brookings Institute, Policy Brief 12-01, http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/reports/2012/5/02%20lng%20exports%20ebinger/0502_lng_exports_ebinger.pdf) For an increase in U.S. exports of LNG to be considered feasible AND concern, owing to the continued rapid improvement in technologies and production processes.

China is seeking LNG imports
Zhu and Sethuraman 12 (Bloomberg reporters (Winnie AND Dinakar, “China’s Easing Grip on Gas Opening Door to North America Exports,” 6/4/12, []) Chinese consumers may buy natural gas at more than five times current U.S AND and rise fourfold to 50 million tons by 2020, according to Bernstein.

US exports solve Chinese energy insecurity
Stone 11 – Matt Stone is an Energy Consultant, US Foreign Policy Analyst, and Junior Associate at McKinsey & Company. (“Natural Gas”, The Diplomat, [], February 15, 2011) In the space of just a couple of years, natural gas has become the AND meanwhile, China has husbanded its resources and influence to achieve advantageous deals.

The South China Sea conflict is on the brink
Reuters, 6/20 (“China urges peaceful development of seas, says conflict leads to "disaster"” Fri Jun 20, 2014 http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/21/us-southchinasea-china-idUSKBN0EW07L20140621)//gingE Concern over China's motives has risen in the region after China sent four more oil AND the South China Sea after Beijing refused to take part in the proceedings.

Chinese energy insecurity risks war
Glaser 12 – Bonnie S. Glaser is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. (“Armed Clash in the South China Sea”, CFR, [], April, 2012) The risk of conflict in the South China Sea is significant. China, Taiwan AND would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes."

That causes extinction
Lieven 12 – Anatol Lieven is a Professor in the War Studies Department at King’s College in London. He is a Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation in Washington. (“Avoiding US-China War”, New York Times, June 12, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/13/opinion/avoiding-a-us-china-war.html) Relations between the United States and China are on a course that may one day AND — for example in Washington’s neglect of the crumbling states of Central America.

Russia will continue its domination of the European continent – empirics prove
Miller 14 — assistant professor of international-security studies at the National Defense University. political scientist in the National Security Research Division at the RAND Corporation. He served as Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan on the National Security Council staff from 2007 through September 2009. Holds a Ph.D. in international relations and a B.A. in government from Georgetown University, and a master's in public policy from Harvard University (Paul, Crimea Proves that Great Power Rivalry Never Left Us, March 21st, [], chm) How should the United States respond to Russia's annexation of Crimea? That depends on AND , but old to most of the rest of the world -- quickly.

They’re using LNG as a geopolitical tool to bring Europe to its knees -- that escalates to US-Russia war
Lin 09 – Dr. Christina Y. Lin is a researcher with Jane’s Information Group in Surrey, England and the former director for China Affairs at the U.S. Department of Defense.. ([], February 11, 2009) After the end of the Cold War and a period of Perestroika, the post AND well as alternative geographic suppliers from West Africa, Canada, and elsewhere.

U.S.-Russia war escalates to nuclear war –distrust
Kokoshin 7— Management Board Member, Institute of Contemporary Development, Dean of the Faculty of World Politics at Moscow State University.State Duma Deputy and deputy head of the United Russia faction in the State Duma, holds a post-graduate degree from the Institute of the United States and Canada of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a Ph. D. in History and is an associate member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. From 1992 to 1997, he served as Deputy Minister of Defense; 1997-1998 – State Military Inspector, Secretary of the Defense Council, Secretary of the Security Council; 1998-1999 – acting Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Mr. Kokoshin is President of the Russian Association of Innovative Development. (Andrei, Nuclear Conflict in the Twenty-first Century, [], chm) The 1990s demonstrated that Russian-U.S. relations are not immune to AND a serious (perhaps even nuclear) conflict with Russia and its allies.

The plan solves—natural gas is vital to LNG export competitiveness
Bass and Pickering 12 – Richard Bass is a Director in Navigant’s Energy Practice in AND Natural Gas Glut; Why Exporting It As LNG Is A Good Idea”, Forbes,[], June 13, 2012) The emergence of shale gas has caused natural gas prices in North America to drop AND to trade at a sizable discount to oil on an energy equivalent basis.

US exports break international dependence on Russian LNG
Ratner et al 12 – Michael Ratner is a specialist in energy policy. Paul Belkin is an analyst in European affairs. Jim Nichol is a specialist in Russian and Eurasian affairs. Steven Woehrel is a specialist in European Affairs. (“Europe’s Energy Security: Options and Challenges to Natural Gas Supply Diversification”, Congressional Research Service, [], March 13, 2012) The 27 member-state European Union (EU) has been a growing natural AND gas giant Gazprom, have adamantly defended oil-indexed natural gas prices.

Congress has to fund DOI leasing projects -- federal action is key
Lieberman 08 – senior policy analyst for Energy and Environment for the Heritage Foundation (Ben, “Listing the Offshore Drilling Ban: A Positive Step in the Fight against High Energy Prices”, The Heritage Foundation, 7/14/2008, http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2008/07/lifting-the-offshore-drilling-ban-a-positive-step-in-the-fight-against-high-energy-prices)//BD Washington must do something about the increasing price of gasoline, now topping $4 AND them back. Thus far, none of these efforts has been successful.

85% of gas is off limits now
Luthi, 11/9/12 [Luthi is the president of the National Ocean Industry Association, representing more than 275 companies engaged in all aspects of the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf, “Let's find agreement on new offshore access”, http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-a-environment/267089-lets-find-agreement-on-new-offshore-access] Now that the election is (finally) behind us, President Obama has an AND is waiting for us there, because we’re not allowed to go look. ====Obama’s recent announcement only approved __seismic studies__ to determine __where resources might be located__---it’s __entirely separate__ from decisions about __resource development__, which the plan authorizes---but it’s __perceived__ as a pro-industry move, which makes __disad links__ non-unique==== HC 7-18 – Houston Chronicle, 7/18/14, “Seismic rift: Obama splits with environmentalists on Atlantic oil exploration,” http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Seismic-rift-Obama-splits-with-environmentalists-5631901.php The Obama administration on Friday green-lighted a plan to allow the oil industry AND year. But conservationists have threatened legal action, potentially slowing the timeline.

Plan key to certainty and investor confidence
Griles 3 [Lisa, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior, “Energy Production on Federal Lands,” Hearing before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate] Mr. GRILES. America’s public lands have an abundant opportunity for exploration and development AND from and buy, so they can have certainty about where to go.

And, that sustains low prices and ensures adequate supply
Hastings, 12 [House Representative Doc, Republican Washington, President Obama's offshore drilling plan must be replaced, http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-a-environment/239529-president-obamas-offshore-drilling-plan-must-be-replaced]

Though President Obama uses lofty rhetoric to claim support for American oil and natural gas AND or support using American energy to create American jobs and strengthen America’s economy.

Restrictions crush predictability and timing of projects -- plan solves
Curry L. Hagerty (Specialist in Energy and Natural Resources Policy at the Congressional Research Service) June 15, 2010 “Outer Continental Shelf Moratoria on Oil and Gas Development” http://crs.ncseonline.org/nle/crsreports/10Jul/R41132.pdf

One legacy of congressional moratoria is their impact on the timing of possible OCS development AND restrictions were defensible in the absence of more permanent alternatives for similar leasing prohibitions

First, it’s a race for OTEC now – winning the race to commercialize ensures control of energy industries and locks-in // technological leadership // and // diplomatic clout //
Cohen and Ladouch 12 (Robert Cohen, USA, OTEC consultant and adviser to the company Lockheed Martin, Mathieu Ladouch Renewable Energy Engineer and Energy Expert, Development & execution manager at Marine Energy Times Mechanical Engineer (TIDAL ENERGY) at HYDRO-GEN Project Manager Engineer at Deschamps Mechanical or Industrial Engineering “Ocean Thermal Energy Ocean OTEC could soon be used?,” pg online @ http://www.marineenergytimes.com/could-otec-soon-be-used-partii-in-the-midst-of-international-competition.html //um-ef)

There is currently the possibility of a competition among industrial nations (especially France, AND to their shores and who want to reduce their dependence on oil imports.

U.S. technological leadership is on the brink – it’s an existential risk
Hummell et al 12 (Robert Hummel, PhD1,*, Policy Research Division, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies,, Patrick Cheetham1, Justin Rossi1, Synesis: A Journal of Science, Technology, Ethics, and Policy 2012 “US Science and Technology Leadership, and Technology Grand Challenges,” pg online @ [] //um-ef) Taken together, there is no direct evidence that the US has been overtaken in AND US technical leadership will require a dedicated and coordinated effort throughout the society.

Failure to maintain U.S. Technological energy primacy through domestic development causes U.S. protectionism against China
Li 2/26 /14 (Researcher with Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.“pg online @ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2014-02/26/content_17305240.htm //um-ef)

Facing competitive pressure from the rise of Chinese industries, the United States has arbitrarily AND restricting competition and cooperation through frequent and short-sighted trade relief measures.

US - China Trade Friction escalates to US - China War
Liu ’05 (Henry C., Chair – New York Private Investment Group, The Coming Trade War Part 6, Asia Times Online, 8-20, http://atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/GH20Dj01.html)

US geopolitical hostility toward China will manifest itself first in trade friction, which will AND to be fought over by killing consumers in a world plagued with overcapacity.

US China war causes extinction
Lieven 12 (Anatol, Professor in the War Studies Department – King’s College (London), Senior Fellow – New America Foundation (Washington), “Avoiding US-China War,” New York Times, 6-12, []) Relations between the United States and China are on a course that may one day AND — for example in Washington’s neglect of the crumbling states of Central America.

Winning the green tech race prevents resource wars and climate change
Klarevas 2k9 (Louis, Professor at the Center for Global Affairs – New York University, “[|Securing American Primacy While Tackling Climate Change: Toward a National Strategy of Greengemony]”, Huffington Post, 12-15, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/louis-klarevas/securing-american-primacy_b_393223.html)

By not addressing climate change more aggressively and creatively, the United States is squandering AND means of leverage that can be employed to keep potential foes in check.

Resource wars go global and nuclear
Klare, 8 (Michael, Professor of Peace and World Security Studies @ Hampshire College, March 10, “The Coming Resource Wars”, http://www.alternet.org/environment/33243)

It's official: the era of resource wars is upon us. In a AND society, however affluent, will escape involvement in these forms of conflict.

Strong U.S. Diplomacy is the only way to stop Indo-Pak war – it's on the brink now and miscalc is inevitable without U.S. de-escalation
Vira 2k12 (Varun Vira writes on Middle Eastern and South Asian security affairs. Most recently, he coauthored Pakistan: Violence vs. Stability with Dr. Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), pg online @ [] //um-ef)

Within the next decade, there is a high probability of a high- AND for the level of external intervention they expect quite simply may not exist.

Indo-Pak war goes nuclear—causes starvation and extinction
International Business Times 13 (Ghosh, Palash. “India-Pakistan Nuclear War Would Kill 2 Billion People, End Civilization: Report,” International Business Times, December 10, 2013, http://www.ibtimes.com/india-pakistan-nuclear-war-would-kill-2-billion-people-end-civilization-report-1503604//ghs-kw)

A nuclear war between South Asian rivals India and Pakistan would trigger a global famine AND of 870 million people in the developing world at immediate risk of starvation.

Warming is real and anthropogenic – carbon dioxide increase, polar ice records, melting glaciers, sea level rise
Prothero 12 [Donald R. Prothero, Professor of Geology at Occidental College and Lecturer in Geobiology at the California Institute of Technology, 3-1-2012, "How We Know Global Warming is Real and Human Caused," Skeptic, vol 17 no 2, EBSCO]

How do we know that global warming is real and primarily human caused? There AND these pinnacles, but the rest of these drowned cities would lie deep underwater

Reducing emissions now prevents extinction---it’s not too late to solve
Nuccitelli 12 – Dana, environmental scientist at a private environmental consulting firm in Sacramento and has a Bachelor's Degree in astrophysics from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Master's Degree in physics from the University of California at Davis, 2012, “Realistically What Might The Future Climate Look Like?”, http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/09/01/784931/realistically-what-might-the-future-climate-look-like/ This is Why Reducing Emissions is Critical¶ We’re not yet committed to surpassing 2 AND Earth than today’s, but we still can and must limit the damage.

Global warming leads to extinction---multiple kinds of feedback loops ensure
Carana 4/16 (Sam Carana is the creator of Arctic News and has done extensive research on the effects of global warming. “Near-Term Human Extinction.” Published on April 16th @ []) Deng Is there a mechanism that could make humanity go extinct in the not-too AND . The poster below, from an earlier post, illustrates the danger.

Independently, emissions cause ocean acidification – extinction
Romm 12 – physicist and climate expert, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress (Joseph J., “Science: Ocean Acidifying so fast that it threatens humanity’s ability to feed itself”, 3/2/12; http://earthlawcenter.org/news/headline/science-ocean-acidifying-so-fast-it-threatens-humanitys-ability-to-feed-itself/) The world’s oceans may be turning acidic faster today from human carbon emissions than they AND species goes extinct it’s gone forever. We’re playing a very dangerous game.”

U.S. climate leadership is key – most capable and other countries will follow - YELLOW
Clauseen, 7 Director of International Strategies (Eileen Clauseen, “A new climate treaty: US leadership after KYOTO”, C2ES, @http://www.c2es.org/newsroom/articles/new-climate-treaty-us-leadership-after-kyoto) //JL For years, despite a steady accumulation of science showing the clear and present dangers AND our only real hope for a new global compact to confront global warming.

Alternative methods of solving warming fail – OTEC is our last stand to reverse climate change
Baird ’14 (Jim, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Purdue University and a doctorate from the University of Kentucky, “The Existential Imperative: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion II”, The energy collective, Jan 6th, 2014 http://theenergycollective.com/jim-baird/324161/existential-imperative-ocean-thermal-energy-conversion-ii, //wcp//)

The [|fourth IPCC assessment report] projects that 40 to 70 percent of species could go AND and it is easier to move a light vapour than a heavy liquid.

OTEC reduces CO2 emissions and temperatures
Curto ’10 (Paul, “American Energy Policy V -- Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion,” [], //wcp//)

OTEC is a true triple threat against global warming. It is the only technology AND cold water pipe, and ammonia production/electrical generation and transmission facilities.

Regulatory // Certainty //and // Clarity //is key – No federal action deters investors
Elefant ‘2 (Carolyn, November 19th, “Proposed Strategies for Addressing Regulatory Uncertainty in Ocean Energy Development in the United States”, [], //wcp//)

I. THE REGULATORY BARRIERS TO OCEAN ENERGY DEVELOPERS¶ A. Overview of Regulatory AND costs. Such unpredictability may also deter future private investors from funding projects.

And, a U.S. FEDERAL demonstration is necessary to get the market going
Vega ’10 (Luis A. PhD, National Marine Renewable Energy Center at the University of Hawaii, ‘Economics of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): An Update, //wcp//)

The major conclusion reached in the earlier report continues to be applicable: there is AND initiated as early as 15-years after the development program is implemented.

Recent technological developments make OTEC feasible, efficient, and economically viable
Huang et al 3 —U.S. Department of Energy (Joseph C., Hans J. Krock, Stephen K. Oney, “REVISIT OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM”, rmf)

Many renowned scientists and engineers all over the world have worked on OTEC technologies since AND have proven more sophisticated than those in the early development of the eighties.

No environmental impacts—operational precautions and plant design solve
Martí et al 09 (Jose A Martí: MSCE Environmental Engineering from Northeastern University, BSCE and Graduate degree in Civil Engineering, University of Puerto Rico. Principal and founder of consulting engineering and planning firm providing services to industry, government and commercial clients, since 1983. Planning, engineering and economic studies. Technical aspects of regulations. Process engineering. Planning and design of multiple major water and wastewater facilities, for utility and industrial clients. Most recently, firm is involved in alternative energy projects, principally on engineering and planning for renewable energy projects, including Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), solar PV energy, and related applications. Martí, José A; Thomas J. Plocek; Manuel A.J. Laboy, Offshore Infrastructure Associates, Inc. “Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): Technical Viability, Cost Projections and Development Strategies,” Presentation to 2009 Offshore Technology Conference. http://www.offinf.com/OIA_at_OTC.pdf//ghs-kw)

In terms of air emissions, there will not be any release of pollutants associated AND with certainty, to optimize the operation and the design of future plants.

New tech and design makes OTEC 100% feasible
With a slightly different design, using an ammonia heat pipe instead of a cold AND of the world would attract much more interest from multinational corporations and governments.
 * Paul ’10** (Paul, “American Energy Policy V – Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion”, [], //wcp//)