Card File Explanation - LD November/December Fossil Fuel Subsidies

By Samantha McLoughlin

The latest card file we released was for the November-December 2019 LD topic: Resolved: the United States ought to eliminate subsidies for fossils fuels. Click [here] for the link. And as always, please feel free to Facebook message GirlsDebate with any questions.

A lot of the K cards under both the AFF and NEG headings could be used on either side, depending on whether ecofem is read as an aff or a neg.

THE AFF 

Under the “Ecofem – AFF” header, there is evidence that applies an ecofeminist lens to fossil fuels in order to argue for the plan. Chan and Curnow 17 warrants why the environment is an important place to begin in the process of deconstructing hegemonic masculinity. The three Dagget 18 cards explain how fossil fuels have become a performance of masculinity (specifically “petro-masculinity, a term which describes how hegemonic masculinity has become inextricably intertwined with the oil and fossil fuel industry). The cards highlight how fossil fuels are symbolically associated with masculinity in the public consciousness (for example, attempt to tie fuel to football, hunting, fishing, the military etc) and used to prop up these ideals of the masculine (nuclear) family provider. The plan would disrupt this assertion of white masculine power over nature, and instead embrace ethics of care and compassion that are aligned with an ecofeminist pedagogy. 

Under the “Climate Change = Gendered” header, there are impact cards that speak about the disproportionate effects of climate change on gender minorities. These cards should be explained not simply as “global warming hurts women”, but as a reason why the gendered dynamics of climate change cannot be ignored. The Sultana 13 card talks about how the adverse effects of climate change (lack of water, displacement, natural disasters etc.) fall disproportionately on women, and how viewing climate change from a privileged social location obscures these gendered implications. The Baker 9/26 card claims that in order to avoid exasperating gender violence, we should use a feminist lens to view climate change in policymaking in order to understand and combat the gendered effects of climate disaster.

Under the “Epistemology Indict” header, the Gelin 8/28 card claims that climate activism is downplayed and discredited because of misogynistic worldviews that devalue feminist voices. Specifically, it gives the example of Greta Thunberg, whose voice in climate activism was put down by white men.

Under the “FFS = Patriarchal” header, the cards are very similar to the ecofem cards. They argue that fossil fuel subsidies are an assertion of patriarchal power over the environment (the main distinction is that these cards are less explicitly about ecofeminism). The Lough 99 card speaks to how patriarchies use method of control, such as energy subsidies, to assert their jurisdiction and control over both land and gendered bodies. The White 17 card describes how the industry strategically masculinizes fossil fuels and feminizes environmental movements by contrasting the image of the “strong masculine men” working in the fossil fuel industry with “overreacting or hysterical” environmentalists. The Casey 4/11 card claims that a lack of gender diversity has made the fossil fuel industry fundamentally unsustainable.

Under the “Clean Energy Good” header,  the Ibezim-Ohaeri 16 card claims that renewable energy is effective in reducing gender violence and empowering women. This card could be used as solvency for a more LARP fem aff (claiming renewable shift), or as an answer to a “other forms of energy worse” turn.

THE NEG

Under the “Ecofem -- NEG” header, the cards speak about the harmful effects of a gender neutral environmental analysis. Specifically, these cards could be used as framing and link arguments for an Ecofem K. The Cherry 19 cards makes a serial policy failure claim that the refusal to include feminist perspectives in environmental justice ensures that our policies fail and replicate masculine violence. The Chan and Curnow 17 card explains how the environmental narrative has been overwhelming controlled by white men, and advocates for a reorientation towards climate change centered around gendered and racialized lines.

Under the “Climate Science = Gendered” header, the Alaimo 9 card could be used as a link card for an Ecofem K. This card critiques climate science for its tendency to represent climate change as a neutral phenomenon. The deployment of “objectivity” in the context of climate science is used to erase the gendered dangers of climate change, and to abstract global warming from a material crisis to a distant uncertainty.

Under the “Root Cause” header, the McCarthy 18 card cites a study that demonstrates toxic masculinity is the root cause of climate change. Specifically, societal pressure on men to perform as “masculine”, combined with the association of nature and the environment with feminity, leads to irresponsible consumption and environemental destruction. This card could be used as an “alt solves case” claim for an Ecofem K.

Under the “AT FFS Patriarchal” header, the GSI 16 card cites a study on how fossil fuel subsidies affect women. The study concludes that, at best, subsidies can provide benefits such as decreased fuel prices, and, at worst, gender gaps are not consistently found, but rather dependent on a variety of external factors. This card would refute claims that fossil fuel subsidies disproportionately harm women, as there is no statistical correlation between the two.

Under the “FFS Help Women” header, there are cards which argue that fossil fuels help the empowerment and survival of women and gender minorities. The Stirling 18 card traces the history of fossil fuels to demonstrate how, rather than being a tool of patriarchy, the fossil fuel industry has become a tool of empowerment for racial and gender minorities. The card gives examples such as the how the fossil fuel industry expanded career opportunities for women, and increased diversity in the music industry. The Bast and Ferrara 11/3 card explains the material benefits of fossil fuels, specifically for women, including democratization, decreased poverty, economic growth, medical progress, and gender liberation.

Under the “Reform CP” header, the Global Studies Initiative 16 card proposes reforms to fossil fuel subsidies. Such reforms include: cash transfers, targeting gas and electricity coupons, focusing on overcoming costs of cleaner cooking, and increasing social safety nets (specifically in the healthcare and education sectors, where violence is highly gendered).