Santee High takes part in global debate

                                                                                      
Santee Education Complex is taking part in the People Speak Global Debates, a program to challenge high school students from around the world to think critically.

This year, students are debating climate change action plans in the fall, and in the spring, they will argue whether developed nations have a higher obligation to combat climate change.

Santee hosted a debate earlier this month, with an audience of more than 900 students and other guests. Brothers Eduardo and Richard Avina argued for the resolution: "The world should adopt our plan to significantly reduce climate change." Their plan relies on renewable portfolio standards and a carbon tax. John Reed-Torres and Christopher Angel argued against the plan, saying it is useful but people also have to change their lifestyles and the world has to mandate a reduction in greenhouse gasses, like California has done.

All debates will be videotaped and submitted to the United Nations Foundation.

(The Santee debaters at the U.N. last summer.)

Santee will be eligible to compete for its second trip to the U.N. Foundation Youth Leadership Summit. The second annual summit will be held at the United Nations in New York in July 2009. It will bring together student activists to learn more about the issues, tour the United Nations and meet with U.N. officials.

-- Mary MacVean

Photos courtesy of Nicholas Richert, Santee