Chitchat Ankara

C1 Debate sessions

Topic: “Space exploration is a waste of Arguments Against the Statement (Space Exploration is
Not a Waste of Resources):
resources.”

Arguments For the Statement (Space Exploration is a 1. Global Collaboration:

Waste of Resources): • Space programs foster international cooperation, with
countries working together on missions like the International Space
Station.
• This collaboration promotes peace and shared scientific
1. Environmental Impact: progress.
• Rockets release significant greenhouse gases and other
pollutants, contributing to environmental degradation. 2. Economic Growth:
• Space debris poses a growing risk to satellites and • Space exploration creates jobs, stimulates economies, and
Earth s atmosphere. inspires private-sector innovation in industries like aerospace,
robotics, and renewable energy.
2. Risk of Failure:
• Many space missions fail or face delays, resulting in 3. Climate Monitoring:
wasted money and resources without guaranteed success. • Satellites launched during space missions are crucial for
• The funds lost in unsuccessful missions could have tracking climate change, natural disasters, and deforestation,
been used for tangible benefits on Earth. helping to protect the planet.
3. Economic Inequality: 4. Scientific Knowledge:
• While billions are spent on space programs, millions of • Discoveries in space teach us more about the origins of the
people lack access to basic necessities like clean water and universe, our planet, and potential extraterrestrial life.
healthcare. • Space exploration answers fundamental questions about
• Governments and private companies should focus on existence, which has intrinsic value beyond monetary costs.
addressing inequality instead of space exploration.
5. Inspiration for Humanity:
4. Ethical Concerns: • Space exploration inspires people worldwide, encouraging
• Colonizing other planets could lead to exploitation, advancements in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and
territorial disputes, and environmental destruction in space, mathematics) and motivating future generations to dream big.
repeating Earth s mistakes on a cosmic scale.
6. Potential for New Resources:
• Mining asteroids or other celestial bodies could provide
access to rare minerals and resources, alleviating shortages on
Earth.
’
’
 Words that can be used:
Reading 1: Reading 2:
Although space exploration is often 1. Exorbitant – (adj.) excessively high
Space exploration is often criticized for its exorbitant
criticized for its exorbitant price tag, with or expensive
costs and the limited tangible benefits it brings to
ordinary people. For instance, NASA s annual budget, critics arguing that these funds should be
2. Intrinsically – (adv.) inherently
which exceeds $25 billion, could arguably be better spent on pressing issues on Earth, such as or naturally
utilized to address critical issues on Earth, such as hunger and disease, it is important to 3. Monopolize – (verb) to dominate or
global poverty, climate change, and healthcare. These consider the long-term benefits. For control exclusively
resources, critics argue, are being monopolized by example, the resources currently invested in
space programs rather than allocated to solve more space could be utilized to solve problems 4. Extrapolate – (verb) to infer or
immediate, pressing problems. Additionally, missions like poverty and climate change, which have estimate based on known data
like the Beagle 2 Mars mission, which cost $150 immediate effects on millions of people.
5. Paradigm – (noun) a typical example
million but failed to establish communication, However, many critics fail to recognize the
or model of something
highlight the precarious nature of space exploration— catalyst effect that space exploration has on
many ventures end in failure, wasting significant technological development. Inventions like 6. Precarious – (adj.) dangerous
funds. With the myriad environmental, social, and satellite-based communication, improved or unstable
political challenges facing humanity, some argue that medical imaging, and even the development
investing in space is a misallocation of vital resources. of advanced water filtration systems are all 7. Sustainable – (adj.) capable of being
The potential for these resources to directly alleviate direct results of research funded by space maintained or continued without depleting
programs. These innovations have resources
human suffering on Earth is far greater than the
uncertain outcomes of space endeavors. dramatically improved the quality of life on
8. Obsolescence – (noun) the state of
Earth, and their applications extend far becoming outdated or no longer in use
However, supporters of space exploration argue that beyond the space industry itself.
the technological advancements it catalyzes have far- 9. Tangible – (adj.) perceptible by touch
reaching benefits. Through space research, humanity Moreover, the environmental impact of or clear and definite
has developed technologies that have revolutionized space missions is often overstated. While
industries, such as GPS navigation, weather rockets do release emissions, the overall 10. Repercussions – (noun) unintended
repercussions on the environment are far consequences or impacts
forecasting, and even medical devices like MRI
machines. These technologies, initially developed for less significant than those caused by
11. Catalyst – (noun) something that
space missions, have tangible applications that industries like agriculture, transportation,
sparks or accelerates a process or change
improve life on Earth. Additionally, the paradigm of and manufacturing. On the other hand, the
global cooperation fostered by initiatives like the advances made through space exploration, 12. Viability – (noun) the ability to work
International Space Station (ISS) has united countries such as sustainable energy solutions and successfully or be feasible
in the pursuit of knowledge, despite political climate monitoring systems, are contributing
differences. These collaborations serve as a reminder to reducing humanity s ecological footprint. 13. Utilize – (verb) to make practical use
Furthermore, space exploration has the of something
that space exploration is not merely an extravagant
pursuit but a way to bring about sustainable potential to revolutionize industries, creating
14. Endorse – (verb) to approve or support
advancements. Furthermore, the viability of asteroid new resources that could alleviate resource
something publicly
mining presents a compelling argument for the depletion on Earth. Asteroid mining, for
economic potential of space. Rare minerals, such as instance, could open up entirely new 15. Imperative – (noun) something that is
platinum and gold, could be extracted from asteroids, avenues for the extraction of rare minerals of utmost importance or necessary
offering a solution to resource scarcity on Earth. that are becoming increasingly scarce.
’
’