Tournament: Ba-Lah-Kay | Round: 1 | Opponent: Marist AB | Judge: Sam Varney

1AC Ohio Valley

Plan

Plan: The United States Treasury Department should normalize bilateral scientific cooperation and travel toward Cuba.

Contention 1 is Science Diplomacy

Scientific collaboration with Cuba is of mutual interest, overcomes political alt causes, and generates science diplomacy with Cuba

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
"The kind of scientific development that took place in Cuba for the last half
AND
ways, have been important for both sides for a very long time.

Science diplomacy is key to international influence, solves all impacts

Coletta, 09 – Duke University , Ph.D. in Political Science, December 1999 Harvard University , Master in Public Policy, 1993 Stanford University , Master in Electrical Engineering, 1989 Stanford University , B.S.E.E., 1988 ~September 2009, Damon Coletta, "Science, Technology, and the Quest for International Influence," http://www.dtic.mil/...c=GetTRDoc.pdf~~
 On the one hand, leaders of both political parties in the United States
AND
fretting over the loyalty of experts serving on the remote frontiers of science.

Specifically, science diplomacy with Cuba solves relations and societal sustainability – impact is extinction

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
Small Steps, Significant Potential Those shared interests appear to extend across many fields.
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be able to contribute to the sustainability of human societies on planet Earth."

US/Cuba Scientific collaboration solves warming – research and adaptation strategies.

Gary Machlis et al, 12| Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA Thomas A. Frankovich | Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Pedro M. Alcolado | Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Erik García-Machado | Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba Aida Caridad Hernández-Zanuy | CYTED Ibero-American Network BIODIVMAR, Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Robert E. Hueter | Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA Nancy Knowlton | National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA Erick Perera | Marine Aquaculture Department, Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba John W. Tunnell Jr. | Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Texas A26M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA ("OCEAN POLICY | US-Cuba Scientific Collaboration: Emerging Issues and Opportunities in Marine and Related Environmental Sciences", 2012, http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/25-2_machlis.pdf)
Critical issues and opportunities for future US-Cuba collaboration in marine and related environmental
AND
collaborative US-Cuba research can directly inform MPA management in both countries.

Specifically, Cuba is key to clean tech and modeling

EDF, 12 – Environmental Defense Fund ("US and Cuba Seek Common Ground", Environmental Defense Fund, 2012, http://www.edf.org/oceans/us-and-cuba-seek-common-ground)
Tapping clean energy to reduce oil imports As part of a national strategy to gain
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Cuba can have huge impacts on the United States and vice-versa."

Clean tech solves warming – it’s also real and anthropogenic

Zervos 26 Coequyt 7 - European Renewable Energy Council 26 Climate 26 Energy Unit @ Greenpeace
Arthouros, and John, Climate 26, "Increasing Renewable Energy in U.S. Can Solve Global Warming", 1-24, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208
The good news first. Renewable energy, combined with energy efficiency, can meet
AND
that minimise both their energy bills and their impact on the global climate.

Warming is the only existential risk

Deibel ’07—Prof IR @ National War College (Terry, "Foreign Affairs
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States, but potentially to the continued existence of life on this planet.

Warming outweighs everything due to irreversibility and future generations – err on the side of action even if the risk is small

Scorse 8 – Professor of International Studies
Jason, Assistant Professor @ Monterey Institute of International Studies @ Middlebury College, What Environmentalists Need to Know About Economics, Online Book
Even though the science now confirms that human activity is contributing to global warming and
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should revert back to the basic arguments for choosing the proper discount rate.

Warming melts the arctic ice-causes mass methane release

Connor 11 (Steve Connor- The Independent’s Science Editor, November 9 2011, "Climate change melting polar regions faster than ever before One of the clearest signs of climate change is the loss of floating sea ice in the Arctic", http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-change-melting-polar-regions-faster-than-ever-before-6259145.html)//JM
The frozen "cryosphere" of the Earth, from the Arctic sea in the
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University College London, and a former head of the British Antarctic Survey.

Methane burst causes extinction- it’s comparatively worse than nuke war

Ryskin ’3- Ph.D. Chemical Engineering California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA Engineer-Physicist St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia Fluid dynamics; statistical physics; geophysics Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering (Gregory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University, "Methane-driven oceanic eruptions and mass extinctions," Geology, 31(9), September 2003,http://pangea.stanford.edu/research/Oceans/GES205/methaneGeology.pdf)
METASTABILITY AND ERUPTION A liquid subject to gravity and completely or partially saturated with dissolved gas is, thermodynamically, in a metastable state. Consider for clarity the case when the concentration of the dissolved gas is only slightly below saturation throughout, and thus increases downward in accordance with Henry’s law. Then locally there is no tendency for the dissolved gas to exsolve (to form bubbles), in spite of the fact that nuclei are abundant in seawater. (Exsolution would lead to a slight increase in free energy: below saturation, the chemical potential of the gas species is lower in solution than in the free gas phase.) At the same time, the free energy of the system as a whole would be greatly reduced if most of the dissolved gas were to somehow escape from solution and collect above the liquid. (This free energy reduction is due to the fast decrease of the chemical potential of gas with a drop in pressure.) Thus, the system is in a metastable state, albeit an unusual one. Strictly speaking, this state is not an equilibrium one even locally: the increase of the solute concentration with depth causes a diffusion ?ux directed upward, which, given suf?cient time, could bring the system into the above state of minimum free energy. However, the continuous supply of methane by the rising bubbles from the sea?oor ensures that the concentration pro?le will remain nonuniform, slowly approaching the saturation one. Even if that supply were to cease, the diffusion time scales are so long that this path toward the global energy minimum can be ignored. A very fast transition from this metastable state can be triggered by disturbances that displace ?uid a ?nite distance in the vertical direction. Such disturbances may result from an earthquake, a sea?oor volcano, convection currents due to geothermal heating, or an internal gravity wave. Consider a parcel of ?uid that is displaced upward, and is now subject to lower hydrostatic pressure, to which corresponds a lower solubility value. As a result, the ?uid in the parcel is now supersaturated with the dissolved gas, which must begin to exsolve, forming tiny gas bubbles. (If the ?uid in its original position was only partially saturated, exsolution will begin after the parcel has risen through some signi?cant distance, so in this case the initial disturbance must be suf?ciently large.) The volume of the ascending parcel of ?uid increases due to the formation of bubbles, making it more buoyant and accelerating its rise; this leads to further reduction in the ambient pressure, further exsolution of gas, and further increase in the volume of the parcel. This self-accelerating motion entrains the surrounding ?uid; exsolution of the gas in the latter reinforces the motion. The result is a violent eruption (Kling et al., 1987; Zhang, 1996). From the initial eruption site, hydrodynamic disturbances propagate in all directions (via turbulent entrainment and/or internal gravity waves), triggering eruptions at other sites. Similarly to transitions from other metastable states (e.g., boiling of a superheated liquid), the eruption should spread quickly throughout the region of the ocean where the water column is saturated, or partially saturated, with gas. In spite of the low solubility of methane in seawater, the total possible increase in the buoyancy of the parcel can be large. Consider a parcel that started its rise at 4 km depth, where solubility of methane is ;4.3 3 1023 . Then, if the parcel had a volume of 18 cm3 (1 mol of water) and was saturated with methane, it contained 4.3 3 1023 mol of dissolved methane. By the time this parcel has risen to the surface, essentially all the methane in the parcel has exsolved (solubility is ;2 3 1025 at the surface). At the surface conditions (T ø 25 8C, P 5 1 bar), 1 mol of any gas occupies 25 3 10 3 cm3 , so the total volume of methane in the parcel is ;108 cm3 , and the volume of the parcel, which now contains a mist of water droplets in gaseous methane, is 126 cm3 . That is, the volume of the parcel has increased by a factor of seven. Concurrent exsolution of other dissolved gases (e.g., carbon dioxide CO2 , hydrogen sul?de H2 S) will add to the effect. A rather similar process is responsible for the most violent, explosive volcanic eruptions (called Plinian), such as eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 or Mount St. Helens in 1980. These eruptions are driven by exsolution of gases (primarily water vapor) dissolved in the liquid magma. In Lake Nyos (Cameroon), CO2 of magmatic origin enters the water column from the bottom, at a depth of ;200 m. In 1986, the lake erupted, creating a gas-water fountain ;120 m in height (Zhang, 1996), and releasing a lethal cloud of CO2 . A water surge washed up the shore to a height of ;25 m. The eruption continued for several hours (Kling et al., 1987). OCEANIC ERUPTION AS A CAUSE OF MASS EXTINCTION The consequences of a methane-driven oceanic eruption for marine and terrestrial life are likely to be catastrophic. Figuratively speaking, the erupting region ’’boils over,’’ ejecting a large amount of methane and other gases (e.g., CO2 , H2 S) into the atmosphere, and ?ooding large areas of land. Whereas pure methane is lighter than air, methane loaded with water droplets is much heavier, and thus spreads over the land, mixing with air in the process (and losing water as rain). The air methane mixture is explosive at methane concentrations between 5 and 15; as such mixtures form in different locations near the ground and are ignited by lightning, explosions 2 and con?agrations destroy most of the terrestrial life, and also produce great amounts of smoke and of carbon dioxide. Firestorms carry smoke and dust into the upper atmosphere, where they may remain for several years (Turco et al., 1991); the resulting darkness and global cooling may provide an additional kill mechanism. Conversely, carbon dioxide and the remaining methane create the greenhouse effect, which may lead to global warming. The outcome of the competition between the cooling and the warming tendencies is dif?cult to predict (Turco et al., 1991; Pierrehumbert, 2002). Upon release of a signi?cant portion of the dissolved methane, the ocean settles down, and the entire sequence of events (i.e., development of anoxia, accumulation of dissolved methane, the metastable state, eruption) begins anew. No external cause is required to bring about a methane-driven eruption—its mechanism is self-contained, and implies that eruptions are likely to occur repeatedly at the same location. Because methane is isotopically light, its fast release must result in a negative carbon isotope excursion in the geological record. Knowing the magnitude of the excursion, one can estimate the amount of methane that could have produced it. Such calculations (prompted by the methane-hydrate-dissociation model, but equally applicable here) have been performed for several global events in the geological record; the results range from ;10 18 to 10 19 g of released methane (e.g., Katz et al., 1999; Kennedy et al., 2001; de Wit et al., 2002). These are very large amounts: the total carbon content of today’s terrestrial biomass is ;2 3 10 18 g. Nevertheless, relatively small regions of the deep ocean could contain such amounts of dissolved methane; e.g., the Black Sea alone (volume ;0.4 3 1023 of the ocean total; maximum depth only 2.2 km) could hold, at saturation, ;0.5 3 10 18 g. A similar region of the deep ocean could contain much more (the amount grows quadratically with depth 3 ). Released in a geological instant (weeks, perhaps), 10 18 to 10 19 g of methane could destroy the terrestrial life almost entirely. Combustion and explosion of 0.75 3 10 19 g of methane would liberate energy equivalent to 10 8 Mt of TNT, ;10,000 times greater than the world’s stockpile of nuclear weapons, implicated in the nuclearwinter scenario (Turco et al., 1991). 

Contention 2 is Cooperation

Scenario One is Drilling:

Cuban drilling in the Eastern Gap is inevitable

Tamayo ’13
(Juan – Writer at The Miami Herald. Past Experience ¶ Andean Bureau Chief at Miami Herald¶ Caribbean Correspondent at Miami Herald¶ Foreign Editor at Miami Herald. Award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience as foreign correspondent and editor with The Miami Herald, focusing on Latin America - especially Cuba - as well as the Middle East and Europe. Proven writer, editor and analyst, with contacts around the world. Miami Herald – Friday, 05.31.13¶ http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3424471/russian-oil-company-suspends.html~~23storylink=cpy)
A Russian state oil company drilling off Cuba’s northern shores has reportedly confirmed that it
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about 20 percent to that island’s exploration costs, according to Cuban officials.

Absent pro-active protocols, spills are inevitable

Bolstad ’12 - Erika Bolstad is a reporter who covers Washington for the Anchorage Daily News, the Idaho Statesman and McClatchy Newspapers. This evidence internally quotes Lee Hunt, the former president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Hunt, in this instance, is arguably not biased in favor of drilling, as he is speaking to safety and clean-up regimes and he is speaking before a liberal think-tank in favor of human rights – McClatchy Newspapers – May 10, 2012 – http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/05/10/148433/cuba-embargo-could-threaten-oil.html~~23.UaoUWpyADq0
The 50-year-old U.S. embargo of Cuba is getting
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in advance the kind of technologies that would be required," Reilly said. 

Scientific co-operation is a pre-requisite to protocols necessary to prevent an oil spill

Pinon 26 Muse, 10 - Jorge R. Piñon and Robert L. Muse, columnists for the Brookings Institute ("Coping with the Next Oil Spill: Why U.S.-Cuba Environmental Cooperation is Critical", May 2010, http://www.brookings.edu/~~/media/research/files/papers/2010/5/1820oil20spill20cuba20pinon/0518_oil_spill_cuba_pinon.pdf)
To respond effectively to an oil-related marine accident, any company operating in
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respond to a marine disaster in that country’s waters and on its shores. 

Gulf spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
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higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion – the brink is now.

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
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of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
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transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
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water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Aquatic biodiversity checks extinction

Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
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kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.

Scenario Two is Disease:

Tropical diseases are emerging now – lack of studies makes them uniquely dangerous

TECD, 13 Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership ProgramWhat are "Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases," 2013, http:www.tecd.prj.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/en/program/background.html)
Tropical region infectious diseases have now become a problem for all humanity because of rapid
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prevent the rapid spread of infections, because pathogens propagate regardless of borders.

Those diseases spread

Fabiana Frayssinet, 12 a correspondent since 1989 in Central America, and since 1996 in Brazil, where she served as a contributor for various international media outlets in radio, print and television, including CNN en Español, IPS, UNIVISION, Telefé de Argentina, Radio Suecia and Radio Nederland. 2012 http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/09/scientists-debate-climate-change-impacts-on-tropical-diseases)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Sep 28 2012 (IPS) - More intense rainfall,
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to the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which needs warm temperatures.

Extinction

Naish 12 (John Naish, writer for Daily Mail, citing John Oxford, professor of virology at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, Scientific Director of Retroscreen Virology Ltd, considered to be the leading expert on disease and viral outbreaks, 10-14-12, "The Armageddon virus: Why experts fear a disease that leaps from animals to humans could devastate mankind in the next five years," http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217774/The-Armageddon-virus-Why-experts-fear-disease-leaps-animals-humans-devastate-mankind-years.html) gz
When the Health Protection Agency warned the world of this newly- emerging virus last
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needs to win only once and it could be the end of humankind.

Cooperation is key

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Disease Vector Species: A good example of a shared disease vector is the Aedes
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cooperation between Cuba and the United States in seeking solutions to such threats.

Contention 3 is No War

No chance of miscalculation or escalation – countries will act in their best interests

Luard 88 Research Fellow at St. Antony’s College, Oxford. He has been a diplomat, an academic, and a politician. He is the author of many works on international affairs. (Evan, "Conflict and Peace in the Modern International System," 1988, http://books.google.com/books?id=zcX9SmstEZcC26pg=PA18826lpg=PA18826dq=22nuclear+war22+AROUND(10)+22improbable22+-seth26source=bl26ots=1tM21bwt_c26sig=p05KKWBl5MOVAFXFysI8AFxNrRc26hl=en26sa=X26ei=oWbUUcudN6SZyAHEnICgBA26ved=0CGQQ6AEwCTgK~~23v=onepage26q=22such20a20risk20remains2226f=false)//AM
Nuclear war by miscalculation is almost equally improbable. War of some sort by miscalculation
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denying ordinances are now dictated by the manifest self-interest of all. 

No war – international institutions and societal shifts

Contreras, 12 – Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University (Dominic, citing Steven Pinker, Harvard College Professor and Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University, citing Joshua A. Goldstein, Professor Emeritus, School of International Service, American University, February 1, 2012, "Winning the War on War?", Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/21707/winning_the_war_on_war.html?breadcrumb=2Fproject2F522Fintrastate_conflict_program, Hensel)
In a jointly authored December 2011 op-ed in the New York Times,
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, but according to Pinker, "you can’t miss the trend line." 

No war – statistics, withdrawals, warfare is changing, the brutality is decreasing, multipolarity solves, and no one would attack the US

Goldstein, 11 – Professor Emeritus, International Relations, American University (Joshua S., September/October 2011, "Think Again: War," Foreign Policy, http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/08/15/think_again_war, Hensel)
¶ "The World Is a More Violent Place Than It Used to Be."¶
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, China’s military hasn’t fired a single shot in battle in 25 years.

Nuclear war doesn’t cause extinction – prefer models

Seitz 6 - former associate of the John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies at Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs (Russell, "The’ Nuclear Winter ’ Meltdown Photoshopping the Apocalypse", http://adamant.typepad.com/seitz/2006/12/preherein_honor.html)//AM
All that remains of Sagan’s Big Chill are curves such as this , but history
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invoke rare phenomena as commonplace, claiming it prudent to assume the worst.

Even the creators of nuclear winter theory acknowledge that nuclear war could never wipe out everyone- and doesn’t increase C02 levels

ROBOCK 2010 (Alan, Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, "Nuclear Winter," WIREs Climate Change, May/June, Wiley Online Library via University of Michigan Libraries)
While it is important to point out the consequences of nuclear winter, it is
AND
consequences of nuclear winter are extreme enough without these additional effects, however.

Contention 4 is Solvency

Cuba will say, "yes" – interest in science co-operation high and Cuban environmental agencies have political influence

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The Cuban government has noted that environmental cooperation can provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement
AND
, despite the presence of a "US Interests" section in Havana.

Government to government co-op is key – sets best bedrock for relations

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Nature knows no boundaries, and given the number and scale of environmental problems shared
AND
trust between the two societies that can provide some bedrock for future relations.

The federal government is key to response and overcoming lasting ideological concerns

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The White Paper notes: "The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and
AND
to ideological misgivings that have little relevance to the virtues of natural cooperation.

Tournament: Ba-Lah-Kay | Round: 4 | Opponent: ICW TS | Judge: Melissa Hass

1AC Ohio Valley

Plan

Plan: The United States Treasury Department should normalize bilateral scientific cooperation and travel toward Cuba.

Contention 1 is Science Diplomacy

Scientific collaboration with Cuba is of mutual interest, overcomes political alt causes, and generates science diplomacy with Cuba

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
"The kind of scientific development that took place in Cuba for the last half
AND
ways, have been important for both sides for a very long time.

Science diplomacy is key to international influence, solves all impacts

Coletta, 09 – Duke University , Ph.D. in Political Science, December 1999 Harvard University , Master in Public Policy, 1993 Stanford University , Master in Electrical Engineering, 1989 Stanford University , B.S.E.E., 1988 ~September 2009, Damon Coletta, "Science, Technology, and the Quest for International Influence," http://www.dtic.mil/...c=GetTRDoc.pdf~~
 On the one hand, leaders of both political parties in the United States
AND
fretting over the loyalty of experts serving on the remote frontiers of science.

Specifically, science diplomacy with Cuba solves relations and societal sustainability – impact is extinction

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
Small Steps, Significant Potential Those shared interests appear to extend across many fields.
AND
be able to contribute to the sustainability of human societies on planet Earth."

US/Cuba Scientific collaboration solves warming – research and adaptation strategies.

Gary Machlis et al, 12| Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA Thomas A. Frankovich | Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Pedro M. Alcolado | Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Erik García-Machado | Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba Aida Caridad Hernández-Zanuy | CYTED Ibero-American Network BIODIVMAR, Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Robert E. Hueter | Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA Nancy Knowlton | National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA Erick Perera | Marine Aquaculture Department, Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba John W. Tunnell Jr. | Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Texas A26M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA ("OCEAN POLICY | US-Cuba Scientific Collaboration: Emerging Issues and Opportunities in Marine and Related Environmental Sciences", 2012, http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/25-2_machlis.pdf)
Critical issues and opportunities for future US-Cuba collaboration in marine and related environmental
AND
collaborative US-Cuba research can directly inform MPA management in both countries.

Specifically, Cuba is key to clean tech and modeling

EDF, 12 – Environmental Defense Fund ("US and Cuba Seek Common Ground", Environmental Defense Fund, 2012, http://www.edf.org/oceans/us-and-cuba-seek-common-ground)
Tapping clean energy to reduce oil imports As part of a national strategy to gain
AND
Cuba can have huge impacts on the United States and vice-versa."

Clean tech solves warming – it’s also real and anthropogenic

Zervos 26 Coequyt 7 - European Renewable Energy Council 26 Climate 26 Energy Unit @ Greenpeace
Arthouros, and John, Climate 26, "Increasing Renewable Energy in U.S. Can Solve Global Warming", 1-24, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208
The good news first. Renewable energy, combined with energy efficiency, can meet
AND
that minimise both their energy bills and their impact on the global climate.

Warming is the only existential risk

Deibel ’07—Prof IR @ National War College (Terry, "Foreign Affairs
AND
States, but potentially to the continued existence of life on this planet.

Warming outweighs everything due to irreversibility and future generations – err on the side of action even if the risk is small

Scorse 8 – Professor of International Studies
Jason, Assistant Professor @ Monterey Institute of International Studies @ Middlebury College, What Environmentalists Need to Know About Economics, Online Book
Even though the science now confirms that human activity is contributing to global warming and
AND
should revert back to the basic arguments for choosing the proper discount rate.

Warming melts the arctic ice-causes mass methane release

Connor 11 (Steve Connor- The Independent’s Science Editor, November 9 2011, "Climate change melting polar regions faster than ever before One of the clearest signs of climate change is the loss of floating sea ice in the Arctic", http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-change-melting-polar-regions-faster-than-ever-before-6259145.html)//JM
The frozen "cryosphere" of the Earth, from the Arctic sea in the
AND
University College London, and a former head of the British Antarctic Survey.

Methane burst causes extinction- it’s comparatively worse than nuke war

Ryskin ’3- Ph.D. Chemical Engineering California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA Engineer-Physicist St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia Fluid dynamics; statistical physics; geophysics Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering (Gregory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University, "Methane-driven oceanic eruptions and mass extinctions," Geology, 31(9), September 2003,http://pangea.stanford.edu/research/Oceans/GES205/methaneGeology.pdf)
METASTABILITY AND ERUPTION A liquid subject to gravity and completely or partially saturated with dissolved gas is, thermodynamically, in a metastable state. Consider for clarity the case when the concentration of the dissolved gas is only slightly below saturation throughout, and thus increases downward in accordance with Henry’s law. Then locally there is no tendency for the dissolved gas to exsolve (to form bubbles), in spite of the fact that nuclei are abundant in seawater. (Exsolution would lead to a slight increase in free energy: below saturation, the chemical potential of the gas species is lower in solution than in the free gas phase.) At the same time, the free energy of the system as a whole would be greatly reduced if most of the dissolved gas were to somehow escape from solution and collect above the liquid. (This free energy reduction is due to the fast decrease of the chemical potential of gas with a drop in pressure.) Thus, the system is in a metastable state, albeit an unusual one. Strictly speaking, this state is not an equilibrium one even locally: the increase of the solute concentration with depth causes a diffusion ?ux directed upward, which, given suf?cient time, could bring the system into the above state of minimum free energy. However, the continuous supply of methane by the rising bubbles from the sea?oor ensures that the concentration pro?le will remain nonuniform, slowly approaching the saturation one. Even if that supply were to cease, the diffusion time scales are so long that this path toward the global energy minimum can be ignored. A very fast transition from this metastable state can be triggered by disturbances that displace ?uid a ?nite distance in the vertical direction. Such disturbances may result from an earthquake, a sea?oor volcano, convection currents due to geothermal heating, or an internal gravity wave. Consider a parcel of ?uid that is displaced upward, and is now subject to lower hydrostatic pressure, to which corresponds a lower solubility value. As a result, the ?uid in the parcel is now supersaturated with the dissolved gas, which must begin to exsolve, forming tiny gas bubbles. (If the ?uid in its original position was only partially saturated, exsolution will begin after the parcel has risen through some signi?cant distance, so in this case the initial disturbance must be suf?ciently large.) The volume of the ascending parcel of ?uid increases due to the formation of bubbles, making it more buoyant and accelerating its rise; this leads to further reduction in the ambient pressure, further exsolution of gas, and further increase in the volume of the parcel. This self-accelerating motion entrains the surrounding ?uid; exsolution of the gas in the latter reinforces the motion. The result is a violent eruption (Kling et al., 1987; Zhang, 1996). From the initial eruption site, hydrodynamic disturbances propagate in all directions (via turbulent entrainment and/or internal gravity waves), triggering eruptions at other sites. Similarly to transitions from other metastable states (e.g., boiling of a superheated liquid), the eruption should spread quickly throughout the region of the ocean where the water column is saturated, or partially saturated, with gas. In spite of the low solubility of methane in seawater, the total possible increase in the buoyancy of the parcel can be large. Consider a parcel that started its rise at 4 km depth, where solubility of methane is ;4.3 3 1023 . Then, if the parcel had a volume of 18 cm3 (1 mol of water) and was saturated with methane, it contained 4.3 3 1023 mol of dissolved methane. By the time this parcel has risen to the surface, essentially all the methane in the parcel has exsolved (solubility is ;2 3 1025 at the surface). At the surface conditions (T ø 25 8C, P 5 1 bar), 1 mol of any gas occupies 25 3 10 3 cm3 , so the total volume of methane in the parcel is ;108 cm3 , and the volume of the parcel, which now contains a mist of water droplets in gaseous methane, is 126 cm3 . That is, the volume of the parcel has increased by a factor of seven. Concurrent exsolution of other dissolved gases (e.g., carbon dioxide CO2 , hydrogen sul?de H2 S) will add to the effect. A rather similar process is responsible for the most violent, explosive volcanic eruptions (called Plinian), such as eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 or Mount St. Helens in 1980. These eruptions are driven by exsolution of gases (primarily water vapor) dissolved in the liquid magma. In Lake Nyos (Cameroon), CO2 of magmatic origin enters the water column from the bottom, at a depth of ;200 m. In 1986, the lake erupted, creating a gas-water fountain ;120 m in height (Zhang, 1996), and releasing a lethal cloud of CO2 . A water surge washed up the shore to a height of ;25 m. The eruption continued for several hours (Kling et al., 1987). OCEANIC ERUPTION AS A CAUSE OF MASS EXTINCTION The consequences of a methane-driven oceanic eruption for marine and terrestrial life are likely to be catastrophic. Figuratively speaking, the erupting region ’’boils over,’’ ejecting a large amount of methane and other gases (e.g., CO2 , H2 S) into the atmosphere, and ?ooding large areas of land. Whereas pure methane is lighter than air, methane loaded with water droplets is much heavier, and thus spreads over the land, mixing with air in the process (and losing water as rain). The air methane mixture is explosive at methane concentrations between 5 and 15; as such mixtures form in different locations near the ground and are ignited by lightning, explosions 2 and con?agrations destroy most of the terrestrial life, and also produce great amounts of smoke and of carbon dioxide. Firestorms carry smoke and dust into the upper atmosphere, where they may remain for several years (Turco et al., 1991); the resulting darkness and global cooling may provide an additional kill mechanism. Conversely, carbon dioxide and the remaining methane create the greenhouse effect, which may lead to global warming. The outcome of the competition between the cooling and the warming tendencies is dif?cult to predict (Turco et al., 1991; Pierrehumbert, 2002). Upon release of a signi?cant portion of the dissolved methane, the ocean settles down, and the entire sequence of events (i.e., development of anoxia, accumulation of dissolved methane, the metastable state, eruption) begins anew. No external cause is required to bring about a methane-driven eruption—its mechanism is self-contained, and implies that eruptions are likely to occur repeatedly at the same location. Because methane is isotopically light, its fast release must result in a negative carbon isotope excursion in the geological record. Knowing the magnitude of the excursion, one can estimate the amount of methane that could have produced it. Such calculations (prompted by the methane-hydrate-dissociation model, but equally applicable here) have been performed for several global events in the geological record; the results range from ;10 18 to 10 19 g of released methane (e.g., Katz et al., 1999; Kennedy et al., 2001; de Wit et al., 2002). These are very large amounts: the total carbon content of today’s terrestrial biomass is ;2 3 10 18 g. Nevertheless, relatively small regions of the deep ocean could contain such amounts of dissolved methane; e.g., the Black Sea alone (volume ;0.4 3 1023 of the ocean total; maximum depth only 2.2 km) could hold, at saturation, ;0.5 3 10 18 g. A similar region of the deep ocean could contain much more (the amount grows quadratically with depth 3 ). Released in a geological instant (weeks, perhaps), 10 18 to 10 19 g of methane could destroy the terrestrial life almost entirely. Combustion and explosion of 0.75 3 10 19 g of methane would liberate energy equivalent to 10 8 Mt of TNT, ;10,000 times greater than the world’s stockpile of nuclear weapons, implicated in the nuclearwinter scenario (Turco et al., 1991). 

Contention 2 is Cooperation

Scenario One is Drilling:

Cuban drilling in the Eastern Gap is inevitable

Tamayo ’13
(Juan – Writer at The Miami Herald. Past Experience ¶ Andean Bureau Chief at Miami Herald¶ Caribbean Correspondent at Miami Herald¶ Foreign Editor at Miami Herald. Award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience as foreign correspondent and editor with The Miami Herald, focusing on Latin America - especially Cuba - as well as the Middle East and Europe. Proven writer, editor and analyst, with contacts around the world. Miami Herald – Friday, 05.31.13¶ http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3424471/russian-oil-company-suspends.html~~23storylink=cpy)
A Russian state oil company drilling off Cuba’s northern shores has reportedly confirmed that it
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about 20 percent to that island’s exploration costs, according to Cuban officials.

Absent pro-active protocols, spills are inevitable

Bolstad ’12 - Erika Bolstad is a reporter who covers Washington for the Anchorage Daily News, the Idaho Statesman and McClatchy Newspapers. This evidence internally quotes Lee Hunt, the former president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Hunt, in this instance, is arguably not biased in favor of drilling, as he is speaking to safety and clean-up regimes and he is speaking before a liberal think-tank in favor of human rights – McClatchy Newspapers – May 10, 2012 – http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/05/10/148433/cuba-embargo-could-threaten-oil.html~~23.UaoUWpyADq0
The 50-year-old U.S. embargo of Cuba is getting
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in advance the kind of technologies that would be required," Reilly said. 

Scientific co-operation is a pre-requisite to protocols necessary to prevent an oil spill

Pinon 26 Muse, 10 - Jorge R. Piñon and Robert L. Muse, columnists for the Brookings Institute ("Coping with the Next Oil Spill: Why U.S.-Cuba Environmental Cooperation is Critical", May 2010, http://www.brookings.edu/~~/media/research/files/papers/2010/5/1820oil20spill20cuba20pinon/0518_oil_spill_cuba_pinon.pdf)
To respond effectively to an oil-related marine accident, any company operating in
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respond to a marine disaster in that country’s waters and on its shores. 

Gulf spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
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higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion – the brink is now.

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
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of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
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transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
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water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Aquatic biodiversity checks extinction

Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
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kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.

Scenario Two is Disease:

Tropical diseases are emerging now – lack of studies makes them uniquely dangerous

TECD, 13 Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership ProgramWhat are "Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases," 2013, http:www.tecd.prj.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/en/program/background.html)
Tropical region infectious diseases have now become a problem for all humanity because of rapid
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prevent the rapid spread of infections, because pathogens propagate regardless of borders.

Those diseases spread

Fabiana Frayssinet, 12 a correspondent since 1989 in Central America, and since 1996 in Brazil, where she served as a contributor for various international media outlets in radio, print and television, including CNN en Español, IPS, UNIVISION, Telefé de Argentina, Radio Suecia and Radio Nederland. 2012 http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/09/scientists-debate-climate-change-impacts-on-tropical-diseases)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Sep 28 2012 (IPS) - More intense rainfall,
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to the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which needs warm temperatures.

Extinction

Naish 12 (John Naish, writer for Daily Mail, citing John Oxford, professor of virology at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, Scientific Director of Retroscreen Virology Ltd, considered to be the leading expert on disease and viral outbreaks, 10-14-12, "The Armageddon virus: Why experts fear a disease that leaps from animals to humans could devastate mankind in the next five years," http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217774/The-Armageddon-virus-Why-experts-fear-disease-leaps-animals-humans-devastate-mankind-years.html) gz
When the Health Protection Agency warned the world of this newly- emerging virus last
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needs to win only once and it could be the end of humankind.

Cooperation is key

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Disease Vector Species: A good example of a shared disease vector is the Aedes
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cooperation between Cuba and the United States in seeking solutions to such threats.

Contention 3 is No War

No chance of miscalculation or escalation – countries will act in their best interests

Luard 88 Research Fellow at St. Antony’s College, Oxford. He has been a diplomat, an academic, and a politician. He is the author of many works on international affairs. (Evan, "Conflict and Peace in the Modern International System," 1988, http://books.google.com/books?id=zcX9SmstEZcC26pg=PA18826lpg=PA18826dq=22nuclear+war22+AROUND(10)+22improbable22+-seth26source=bl26ots=1tM21bwt_c26sig=p05KKWBl5MOVAFXFysI8AFxNrRc26hl=en26sa=X26ei=oWbUUcudN6SZyAHEnICgBA26ved=0CGQQ6AEwCTgK~~23v=onepage26q=22such20a20risk20remains2226f=false)//AM
Nuclear war by miscalculation is almost equally improbable. War of some sort by miscalculation
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denying ordinances are now dictated by the manifest self-interest of all. 

No war – international institutions and societal shifts

Contreras, 12 – Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University (Dominic, citing Steven Pinker, Harvard College Professor and Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University, citing Joshua A. Goldstein, Professor Emeritus, School of International Service, American University, February 1, 2012, "Winning the War on War?", Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/21707/winning_the_war_on_war.html?breadcrumb=2Fproject2F522Fintrastate_conflict_program, Hensel)
In a jointly authored December 2011 op-ed in the New York Times,
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, but according to Pinker, "you can’t miss the trend line." 

No war – statistics, withdrawals, warfare is changing, the brutality is decreasing, multipolarity solves, and no one would attack the US

Goldstein, 11 – Professor Emeritus, International Relations, American University (Joshua S., September/October 2011, "Think Again: War," Foreign Policy, http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/08/15/think_again_war, Hensel)
¶ "The World Is a More Violent Place Than It Used to Be."¶
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, China’s military hasn’t fired a single shot in battle in 25 years.

Nuclear war doesn’t cause extinction – prefer models

Seitz 6 - former associate of the John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies at Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs (Russell, "The’ Nuclear Winter ’ Meltdown Photoshopping the Apocalypse", http://adamant.typepad.com/seitz/2006/12/preherein_honor.html)//AM
All that remains of Sagan’s Big Chill are curves such as this , but history
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invoke rare phenomena as commonplace, claiming it prudent to assume the worst.

Even the creators of nuclear winter theory acknowledge that nuclear war could never wipe out everyone- and doesn’t increase C02 levels

ROBOCK 2010 (Alan, Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, "Nuclear Winter," WIREs Climate Change, May/June, Wiley Online Library via University of Michigan Libraries)
While it is important to point out the consequences of nuclear winter, it is
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consequences of nuclear winter are extreme enough without these additional effects, however.

Contention 4 is Solvency

Cuba will say, "yes" – interest in science co-operation high and Cuban environmental agencies have political influence

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The Cuban government has noted that environmental cooperation can provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement
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, despite the presence of a "US Interests" section in Havana.

Government to government co-op is key – sets best bedrock for relations

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Nature knows no boundaries, and given the number and scale of environmental problems shared
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trust between the two societies that can provide some bedrock for future relations.

The federal government is key to response and overcoming lasting ideological concerns

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The White Paper notes: "The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and
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to ideological misgivings that have little relevance to the virtues of natural cooperation.

Tournament: Ba-Lah-Kay | Round: 7 | Opponent: Mcdonough ER | Judge: Alex Pappas

1AC Ohio Valley

Plan

Plan: The United States Treasury Department should normalize bilateral scientific cooperation and travel toward Cuba.

Contention 1 is Science Diplomacy

Scientific collaboration with Cuba is of mutual interest, overcomes political alt causes, and generates science diplomacy with Cuba

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
"The kind of scientific development that took place in Cuba for the last half
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ways, have been important for both sides for a very long time.

Science diplomacy is key to international influence, solves all impacts

Coletta, 09 – Duke University , Ph.D. in Political Science, December 1999 Harvard University , Master in Public Policy, 1993 Stanford University , Master in Electrical Engineering, 1989 Stanford University , B.S.E.E., 1988 ~September 2009, Damon Coletta, "Science, Technology, and the Quest for International Influence," http://www.dtic.mil/...c=GetTRDoc.pdf~~
 On the one hand, leaders of both political parties in the United States
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fretting over the loyalty of experts serving on the remote frontiers of science.

Specifically, science diplomacy with Cuba solves relations and societal sustainability – impact is extinction

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
Small Steps, Significant Potential Those shared interests appear to extend across many fields.
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be able to contribute to the sustainability of human societies on planet Earth."

US/Cuba Scientific collaboration solves warming – research and adaptation strategies.

Gary Machlis et al, 12| Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA Thomas A. Frankovich | Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Pedro M. Alcolado | Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Erik García-Machado | Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba Aida Caridad Hernández-Zanuy | CYTED Ibero-American Network BIODIVMAR, Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Robert E. Hueter | Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA Nancy Knowlton | National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA Erick Perera | Marine Aquaculture Department, Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba John W. Tunnell Jr. | Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Texas A26M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA ("OCEAN POLICY | US-Cuba Scientific Collaboration: Emerging Issues and Opportunities in Marine and Related Environmental Sciences", 2012, http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/25-2_machlis.pdf)
Critical issues and opportunities for future US-Cuba collaboration in marine and related environmental
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collaborative US-Cuba research can directly inform MPA management in both countries.

Specifically, Cuba is key to clean tech and modeling

EDF, 12 – Environmental Defense Fund ("US and Cuba Seek Common Ground", Environmental Defense Fund, 2012, http://www.edf.org/oceans/us-and-cuba-seek-common-ground)
Tapping clean energy to reduce oil imports As part of a national strategy to gain
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Cuba can have huge impacts on the United States and vice-versa."

Clean tech solves warming – it’s also real and anthropogenic

Zervos 26 Coequyt 7 - European Renewable Energy Council 26 Climate 26 Energy Unit @ Greenpeace
Arthouros, and John, Climate 26, "Increasing Renewable Energy in U.S. Can Solve Global Warming", 1-24, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208
The good news first. Renewable energy, combined with energy efficiency, can meet
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that minimise both their energy bills and their impact on the global climate.

Warming is the only existential risk

Deibel ’07—Prof IR @ National War College (Terry, "Foreign Affairs
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States, but potentially to the continued existence of life on this planet.

Warming outweighs everything due to irreversibility and future generations – err on the side of action even if the risk is small

Scorse 8 – Professor of International Studies
Jason, Assistant Professor @ Monterey Institute of International Studies @ Middlebury College, What Environmentalists Need to Know About Economics, Online Book
Even though the science now confirms that human activity is contributing to global warming and
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should revert back to the basic arguments for choosing the proper discount rate.

Warming melts the arctic ice-causes mass methane release

Connor 11 (Steve Connor- The Independent’s Science Editor, November 9 2011, "Climate change melting polar regions faster than ever before One of the clearest signs of climate change is the loss of floating sea ice in the Arctic", http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-change-melting-polar-regions-faster-than-ever-before-6259145.html)//JM
The frozen "cryosphere" of the Earth, from the Arctic sea in the
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University College London, and a former head of the British Antarctic Survey.

Methane burst causes extinction- it’s comparatively worse than nuke war

Ryskin ’3- Ph.D. Chemical Engineering California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA Engineer-Physicist St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia Fluid dynamics; statistical physics; geophysics Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering (Gregory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University, "Methane-driven oceanic eruptions and mass extinctions," Geology, 31(9), September 2003,http://pangea.stanford.edu/research/Oceans/GES205/methaneGeology.pdf)
METASTABILITY AND ERUPTION A liquid subject to gravity and completely or partially saturated with dissolved gas is, thermodynamically, in a metastable state. Consider for clarity the case when the concentration of the dissolved gas is only slightly below saturation throughout, and thus increases downward in accordance with Henry’s law. Then locally there is no tendency for the dissolved gas to exsolve (to form bubbles), in spite of the fact that nuclei are abundant in seawater. (Exsolution would lead to a slight increase in free energy: below saturation, the chemical potential of the gas species is lower in solution than in the free gas phase.) At the same time, the free energy of the system as a whole would be greatly reduced if most of the dissolved gas were to somehow escape from solution and collect above the liquid. (This free energy reduction is due to the fast decrease of the chemical potential of gas with a drop in pressure.) Thus, the system is in a metastable state, albeit an unusual one. Strictly speaking, this state is not an equilibrium one even locally: the increase of the solute concentration with depth causes a diffusion ?ux directed upward, which, given suf?cient time, could bring the system into the above state of minimum free energy. However, the continuous supply of methane by the rising bubbles from the sea?oor ensures that the concentration pro?le will remain nonuniform, slowly approaching the saturation one. Even if that supply were to cease, the diffusion time scales are so long that this path toward the global energy minimum can be ignored. A very fast transition from this metastable state can be triggered by disturbances that displace ?uid a ?nite distance in the vertical direction. Such disturbances may result from an earthquake, a sea?oor volcano, convection currents due to geothermal heating, or an internal gravity wave. Consider a parcel of ?uid that is displaced upward, and is now subject to lower hydrostatic pressure, to which corresponds a lower solubility value. As a result, the ?uid in the parcel is now supersaturated with the dissolved gas, which must begin to exsolve, forming tiny gas bubbles. (If the ?uid in its original position was only partially saturated, exsolution will begin after the parcel has risen through some signi?cant distance, so in this case the initial disturbance must be suf?ciently large.) The volume of the ascending parcel of ?uid increases due to the formation of bubbles, making it more buoyant and accelerating its rise; this leads to further reduction in the ambient pressure, further exsolution of gas, and further increase in the volume of the parcel. This self-accelerating motion entrains the surrounding ?uid; exsolution of the gas in the latter reinforces the motion. The result is a violent eruption (Kling et al., 1987; Zhang, 1996). From the initial eruption site, hydrodynamic disturbances propagate in all directions (via turbulent entrainment and/or internal gravity waves), triggering eruptions at other sites. Similarly to transitions from other metastable states (e.g., boiling of a superheated liquid), the eruption should spread quickly throughout the region of the ocean where the water column is saturated, or partially saturated, with gas. In spite of the low solubility of methane in seawater, the total possible increase in the buoyancy of the parcel can be large. Consider a parcel that started its rise at 4 km depth, where solubility of methane is ;4.3 3 1023 . Then, if the parcel had a volume of 18 cm3 (1 mol of water) and was saturated with methane, it contained 4.3 3 1023 mol of dissolved methane. By the time this parcel has risen to the surface, essentially all the methane in the parcel has exsolved (solubility is ;2 3 1025 at the surface). At the surface conditions (T ø 25 8C, P 5 1 bar), 1 mol of any gas occupies 25 3 10 3 cm3 , so the total volume of methane in the parcel is ;108 cm3 , and the volume of the parcel, which now contains a mist of water droplets in gaseous methane, is 126 cm3 . That is, the volume of the parcel has increased by a factor of seven. Concurrent exsolution of other dissolved gases (e.g., carbon dioxide CO2 , hydrogen sul?de H2 S) will add to the effect. A rather similar process is responsible for the most violent, explosive volcanic eruptions (called Plinian), such as eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 or Mount St. Helens in 1980. These eruptions are driven by exsolution of gases (primarily water vapor) dissolved in the liquid magma. In Lake Nyos (Cameroon), CO2 of magmatic origin enters the water column from the bottom, at a depth of ;200 m. In 1986, the lake erupted, creating a gas-water fountain ;120 m in height (Zhang, 1996), and releasing a lethal cloud of CO2 . A water surge washed up the shore to a height of ;25 m. The eruption continued for several hours (Kling et al., 1987). OCEANIC ERUPTION AS A CAUSE OF MASS EXTINCTION The consequences of a methane-driven oceanic eruption for marine and terrestrial life are likely to be catastrophic. Figuratively speaking, the erupting region ’’boils over,’’ ejecting a large amount of methane and other gases (e.g., CO2 , H2 S) into the atmosphere, and ?ooding large areas of land. Whereas pure methane is lighter than air, methane loaded with water droplets is much heavier, and thus spreads over the land, mixing with air in the process (and losing water as rain). The air methane mixture is explosive at methane concentrations between 5 and 15; as such mixtures form in different locations near the ground and are ignited by lightning, explosions 2 and con?agrations destroy most of the terrestrial life, and also produce great amounts of smoke and of carbon dioxide. Firestorms carry smoke and dust into the upper atmosphere, where they may remain for several years (Turco et al., 1991); the resulting darkness and global cooling may provide an additional kill mechanism. Conversely, carbon dioxide and the remaining methane create the greenhouse effect, which may lead to global warming. The outcome of the competition between the cooling and the warming tendencies is dif?cult to predict (Turco et al., 1991; Pierrehumbert, 2002). Upon release of a signi?cant portion of the dissolved methane, the ocean settles down, and the entire sequence of events (i.e., development of anoxia, accumulation of dissolved methane, the metastable state, eruption) begins anew. No external cause is required to bring about a methane-driven eruption—its mechanism is self-contained, and implies that eruptions are likely to occur repeatedly at the same location. Because methane is isotopically light, its fast release must result in a negative carbon isotope excursion in the geological record. Knowing the magnitude of the excursion, one can estimate the amount of methane that could have produced it. Such calculations (prompted by the methane-hydrate-dissociation model, but equally applicable here) have been performed for several global events in the geological record; the results range from ;10 18 to 10 19 g of released methane (e.g., Katz et al., 1999; Kennedy et al., 2001; de Wit et al., 2002). These are very large amounts: the total carbon content of today’s terrestrial biomass is ;2 3 10 18 g. Nevertheless, relatively small regions of the deep ocean could contain such amounts of dissolved methane; e.g., the Black Sea alone (volume ;0.4 3 1023 of the ocean total; maximum depth only 2.2 km) could hold, at saturation, ;0.5 3 10 18 g. A similar region of the deep ocean could contain much more (the amount grows quadratically with depth 3 ). Released in a geological instant (weeks, perhaps), 10 18 to 10 19 g of methane could destroy the terrestrial life almost entirely. Combustion and explosion of 0.75 3 10 19 g of methane would liberate energy equivalent to 10 8 Mt of TNT, ;10,000 times greater than the world’s stockpile of nuclear weapons, implicated in the nuclearwinter scenario (Turco et al., 1991). 

Contention 2 is Cooperation

Scenario One is Drilling:

Cuban drilling in the Eastern Gap is inevitable

Tamayo ’13
(Juan – Writer at The Miami Herald. Past Experience ¶ Andean Bureau Chief at Miami Herald¶ Caribbean Correspondent at Miami Herald¶ Foreign Editor at Miami Herald. Award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience as foreign correspondent and editor with The Miami Herald, focusing on Latin America - especially Cuba - as well as the Middle East and Europe. Proven writer, editor and analyst, with contacts around the world. Miami Herald – Friday, 05.31.13¶ http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3424471/russian-oil-company-suspends.html~~23storylink=cpy)
A Russian state oil company drilling off Cuba’s northern shores has reportedly confirmed that it
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about 20 percent to that island’s exploration costs, according to Cuban officials.

Absent pro-active protocols, spills are inevitable

Bolstad ’12 - Erika Bolstad is a reporter who covers Washington for the Anchorage Daily News, the Idaho Statesman and McClatchy Newspapers. This evidence internally quotes Lee Hunt, the former president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Hunt, in this instance, is arguably not biased in favor of drilling, as he is speaking to safety and clean-up regimes and he is speaking before a liberal think-tank in favor of human rights – McClatchy Newspapers – May 10, 2012 – http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/05/10/148433/cuba-embargo-could-threaten-oil.html~~23.UaoUWpyADq0
The 50-year-old U.S. embargo of Cuba is getting
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in advance the kind of technologies that would be required," Reilly said. 

Scientific co-operation is a pre-requisite to protocols necessary to prevent an oil spill

Pinon 26 Muse, 10 - Jorge R. Piñon and Robert L. Muse, columnists for the Brookings Institute ("Coping with the Next Oil Spill: Why U.S.-Cuba Environmental Cooperation is Critical", May 2010, http://www.brookings.edu/~~/media/research/files/papers/2010/5/1820oil20spill20cuba20pinon/0518_oil_spill_cuba_pinon.pdf)
To respond effectively to an oil-related marine accident, any company operating in
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respond to a marine disaster in that country’s waters and on its shores. 

Gulf spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
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higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion – the brink is now.

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
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of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
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transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
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water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Aquatic biodiversity checks extinction

Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
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kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.

Scenario Two is Disease:

Tropical diseases are emerging now – lack of studies makes them uniquely dangerous

TECD, 13 Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership ProgramWhat are "Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases," 2013, http:www.tecd.prj.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/en/program/background.html)
Tropical region infectious diseases have now become a problem for all humanity because of rapid
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prevent the rapid spread of infections, because pathogens propagate regardless of borders.

Those diseases spread

Fabiana Frayssinet, 12 a correspondent since 1989 in Central America, and since 1996 in Brazil, where she served as a contributor for various international media outlets in radio, print and television, including CNN en Español, IPS, UNIVISION, Telefé de Argentina, Radio Suecia and Radio Nederland. 2012 http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/09/scientists-debate-climate-change-impacts-on-tropical-diseases)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Sep 28 2012 (IPS) - More intense rainfall,
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to the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which needs warm temperatures.

Extinction

Naish 12 (John Naish, writer for Daily Mail, citing John Oxford, professor of virology at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, Scientific Director of Retroscreen Virology Ltd, considered to be the leading expert on disease and viral outbreaks, 10-14-12, "The Armageddon virus: Why experts fear a disease that leaps from animals to humans could devastate mankind in the next five years," http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217774/The-Armageddon-virus-Why-experts-fear-disease-leaps-animals-humans-devastate-mankind-years.html) gz
When the Health Protection Agency warned the world of this newly- emerging virus last
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needs to win only once and it could be the end of humankind.

Cooperation is key

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Disease Vector Species: A good example of a shared disease vector is the Aedes
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cooperation between Cuba and the United States in seeking solutions to such threats.

Contention 3 is No War

No chance of miscalculation or escalation – countries will act in their best interests

Luard 88 Research Fellow at St. Antony’s College, Oxford. He has been a diplomat, an academic, and a politician. He is the author of many works on international affairs. (Evan, "Conflict and Peace in the Modern International System," 1988, http://books.google.com/books?id=zcX9SmstEZcC26pg=PA18826lpg=PA18826dq=22nuclear+war22+AROUND(10)+22improbable22+-seth26source=bl26ots=1tM21bwt_c26sig=p05KKWBl5MOVAFXFysI8AFxNrRc26hl=en26sa=X26ei=oWbUUcudN6SZyAHEnICgBA26ved=0CGQQ6AEwCTgK~~23v=onepage26q=22such20a20risk20remains2226f=false)//AM
Nuclear war by miscalculation is almost equally improbable. War of some sort by miscalculation
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denying ordinances are now dictated by the manifest self-interest of all. 

No war – international institutions and societal shifts

Contreras, 12 – Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University (Dominic, citing Steven Pinker, Harvard College Professor and Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University, citing Joshua A. Goldstein, Professor Emeritus, School of International Service, American University, February 1, 2012, "Winning the War on War?", Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/21707/winning_the_war_on_war.html?breadcrumb=2Fproject2F522Fintrastate_conflict_program, Hensel)
In a jointly authored December 2011 op-ed in the New York Times,
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, but according to Pinker, "you can’t miss the trend line." 

No war – statistics, withdrawals, warfare is changing, the brutality is decreasing, multipolarity solves, and no one would attack the US

Goldstein, 11 – Professor Emeritus, International Relations, American University (Joshua S., September/October 2011, "Think Again: War," Foreign Policy, http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/08/15/think_again_war, Hensel)
¶ "The World Is a More Violent Place Than It Used to Be."¶
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, China’s military hasn’t fired a single shot in battle in 25 years.

Nuclear war doesn’t cause extinction – prefer models

Seitz 6 - former associate of the John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies at Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs (Russell, "The’ Nuclear Winter ’ Meltdown Photoshopping the Apocalypse", http://adamant.typepad.com/seitz/2006/12/preherein_honor.html)//AM
All that remains of Sagan’s Big Chill are curves such as this , but history
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invoke rare phenomena as commonplace, claiming it prudent to assume the worst.

Even the creators of nuclear winter theory acknowledge that nuclear war could never wipe out everyone- and doesn’t increase C02 levels

ROBOCK 2010 (Alan, Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, "Nuclear Winter," WIREs Climate Change, May/June, Wiley Online Library via University of Michigan Libraries)
While it is important to point out the consequences of nuclear winter, it is
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consequences of nuclear winter are extreme enough without these additional effects, however.

Contention 4 is Solvency

Cuba will say, "yes" – interest in science co-operation high and Cuban environmental agencies have political influence

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The Cuban government has noted that environmental cooperation can provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement
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, despite the presence of a "US Interests" section in Havana.

Government to government co-op is key – sets best bedrock for relations

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Nature knows no boundaries, and given the number and scale of environmental problems shared
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trust between the two societies that can provide some bedrock for future relations.

The federal government is key to response and overcoming lasting ideological concerns

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The White Paper notes: "The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and
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to ideological misgivings that have little relevance to the virtues of natural cooperation.

Tournament: Ba-Lah-Kay | Round: 5 | Opponent: Denver Arts FF | Judge: Michael Antonucci

1AC Ohio Valley

Plan

Plan: The United States Treasury Department should normalize bilateral scientific cooperation and travel toward Cuba.

Contention 1 is Science Diplomacy

Scientific collaboration with Cuba is of mutual interest, overcomes political alt causes, and generates science diplomacy with Cuba

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
"The kind of scientific development that took place in Cuba for the last half
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ways, have been important for both sides for a very long time.

Science diplomacy is key to international influence, solves all impacts

Coletta, 09 – Duke University , Ph.D. in Political Science, December 1999 Harvard University , Master in Public Policy, 1993 Stanford University , Master in Electrical Engineering, 1989 Stanford University , B.S.E.E., 1988 ~September 2009, Damon Coletta, "Science, Technology, and the Quest for International Influence," http://www.dtic.mil/...c=GetTRDoc.pdf~~
 On the one hand, leaders of both political parties in the United States
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fretting over the loyalty of experts serving on the remote frontiers of science.

Specifically, science diplomacy with Cuba solves relations and societal sustainability – impact is extinction

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
Small Steps, Significant Potential Those shared interests appear to extend across many fields.
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be able to contribute to the sustainability of human societies on planet Earth."

US/Cuba Scientific collaboration solves warming – research and adaptation strategies.

Gary Machlis et al, 12| Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA Thomas A. Frankovich | Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Pedro M. Alcolado | Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Erik García-Machado | Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba Aida Caridad Hernández-Zanuy | CYTED Ibero-American Network BIODIVMAR, Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Robert E. Hueter | Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA Nancy Knowlton | National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA Erick Perera | Marine Aquaculture Department, Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba John W. Tunnell Jr. | Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Texas A26M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA ("OCEAN POLICY | US-Cuba Scientific Collaboration: Emerging Issues and Opportunities in Marine and Related Environmental Sciences", 2012, http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/25-2_machlis.pdf)
Critical issues and opportunities for future US-Cuba collaboration in marine and related environmental
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collaborative US-Cuba research can directly inform MPA management in both countries.

Specifically, Cuba is key to clean tech and modeling

EDF, 12 – Environmental Defense Fund ("US and Cuba Seek Common Ground", Environmental Defense Fund, 2012, http://www.edf.org/oceans/us-and-cuba-seek-common-ground)
Tapping clean energy to reduce oil imports As part of a national strategy to gain
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Cuba can have huge impacts on the United States and vice-versa."

Clean tech solves warming – it’s also real and anthropogenic

Zervos 26 Coequyt 7 - European Renewable Energy Council 26 Climate 26 Energy Unit @ Greenpeace
Arthouros, and John, Climate 26, "Increasing Renewable Energy in U.S. Can Solve Global Warming", 1-24, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208
The good news first. Renewable energy, combined with energy efficiency, can meet
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that minimise both their energy bills and their impact on the global climate.

Warming is the only existential risk

Deibel ’07—Prof IR @ National War College (Terry, "Foreign Affairs
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States, but potentially to the continued existence of life on this planet.

Warming outweighs everything due to irreversibility and future generations – err on the side of action even if the risk is small

Scorse 8 – Professor of International Studies
Jason, Assistant Professor @ Monterey Institute of International Studies @ Middlebury College, What Environmentalists Need to Know About Economics, Online Book
Even though the science now confirms that human activity is contributing to global warming and
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should revert back to the basic arguments for choosing the proper discount rate.

Warming melts the arctic ice-causes mass methane release

Connor 11 (Steve Connor- The Independent’s Science Editor, November 9 2011, "Climate change melting polar regions faster than ever before One of the clearest signs of climate change is the loss of floating sea ice in the Arctic", http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-change-melting-polar-regions-faster-than-ever-before-6259145.html)//JM
The frozen "cryosphere" of the Earth, from the Arctic sea in the
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University College London, and a former head of the British Antarctic Survey.

Methane burst causes extinction- it’s comparatively worse than nuke war

Ryskin ’3- Ph.D. Chemical Engineering California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA Engineer-Physicist St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia Fluid dynamics; statistical physics; geophysics Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering (Gregory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University, "Methane-driven oceanic eruptions and mass extinctions," Geology, 31(9), September 2003,http://pangea.stanford.edu/research/Oceans/GES205/methaneGeology.pdf)
METASTABILITY AND ERUPTION A liquid subject to gravity and completely or partially saturated with dissolved gas is, thermodynamically, in a metastable state. Consider for clarity the case when the concentration of the dissolved gas is only slightly below saturation throughout, and thus increases downward in accordance with Henry’s law. Then locally there is no tendency for the dissolved gas to exsolve (to form bubbles), in spite of the fact that nuclei are abundant in seawater. (Exsolution would lead to a slight increase in free energy: below saturation, the chemical potential of the gas species is lower in solution than in the free gas phase.) At the same time, the free energy of the system as a whole would be greatly reduced if most of the dissolved gas were to somehow escape from solution and collect above the liquid. (This free energy reduction is due to the fast decrease of the chemical potential of gas with a drop in pressure.) Thus, the system is in a metastable state, albeit an unusual one. Strictly speaking, this state is not an equilibrium one even locally: the increase of the solute concentration with depth causes a diffusion ?ux directed upward, which, given suf?cient time, could bring the system into the above state of minimum free energy. However, the continuous supply of methane by the rising bubbles from the sea?oor ensures that the concentration pro?le will remain nonuniform, slowly approaching the saturation one. Even if that supply were to cease, the diffusion time scales are so long that this path toward the global energy minimum can be ignored. A very fast transition from this metastable state can be triggered by disturbances that displace ?uid a ?nite distance in the vertical direction. Such disturbances may result from an earthquake, a sea?oor volcano, convection currents due to geothermal heating, or an internal gravity wave. Consider a parcel of ?uid that is displaced upward, and is now subject to lower hydrostatic pressure, to which corresponds a lower solubility value. As a result, the ?uid in the parcel is now supersaturated with the dissolved gas, which must begin to exsolve, forming tiny gas bubbles. (If the ?uid in its original position was only partially saturated, exsolution will begin after the parcel has risen through some signi?cant distance, so in this case the initial disturbance must be suf?ciently large.) The volume of the ascending parcel of ?uid increases due to the formation of bubbles, making it more buoyant and accelerating its rise; this leads to further reduction in the ambient pressure, further exsolution of gas, and further increase in the volume of the parcel. This self-accelerating motion entrains the surrounding ?uid; exsolution of the gas in the latter reinforces the motion. The result is a violent eruption (Kling et al., 1987; Zhang, 1996). From the initial eruption site, hydrodynamic disturbances propagate in all directions (via turbulent entrainment and/or internal gravity waves), triggering eruptions at other sites. Similarly to transitions from other metastable states (e.g., boiling of a superheated liquid), the eruption should spread quickly throughout the region of the ocean where the water column is saturated, or partially saturated, with gas. In spite of the low solubility of methane in seawater, the total possible increase in the buoyancy of the parcel can be large. Consider a parcel that started its rise at 4 km depth, where solubility of methane is ;4.3 3 1023 . Then, if the parcel had a volume of 18 cm3 (1 mol of water) and was saturated with methane, it contained 4.3 3 1023 mol of dissolved methane. By the time this parcel has risen to the surface, essentially all the methane in the parcel has exsolved (solubility is ;2 3 1025 at the surface). At the surface conditions (T ø 25 8C, P 5 1 bar), 1 mol of any gas occupies 25 3 10 3 cm3 , so the total volume of methane in the parcel is ;108 cm3 , and the volume of the parcel, which now contains a mist of water droplets in gaseous methane, is 126 cm3 . That is, the volume of the parcel has increased by a factor of seven. Concurrent exsolution of other dissolved gases (e.g., carbon dioxide CO2 , hydrogen sul?de H2 S) will add to the effect. A rather similar process is responsible for the most violent, explosive volcanic eruptions (called Plinian), such as eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 or Mount St. Helens in 1980. These eruptions are driven by exsolution of gases (primarily water vapor) dissolved in the liquid magma. In Lake Nyos (Cameroon), CO2 of magmatic origin enters the water column from the bottom, at a depth of ;200 m. In 1986, the lake erupted, creating a gas-water fountain ;120 m in height (Zhang, 1996), and releasing a lethal cloud of CO2 . A water surge washed up the shore to a height of ;25 m. The eruption continued for several hours (Kling et al., 1987). OCEANIC ERUPTION AS A CAUSE OF MASS EXTINCTION The consequences of a methane-driven oceanic eruption for marine and terrestrial life are likely to be catastrophic. Figuratively speaking, the erupting region ’’boils over,’’ ejecting a large amount of methane and other gases (e.g., CO2 , H2 S) into the atmosphere, and ?ooding large areas of land. Whereas pure methane is lighter than air, methane loaded with water droplets is much heavier, and thus spreads over the land, mixing with air in the process (and losing water as rain). The air methane mixture is explosive at methane concentrations between 5 and 15; as such mixtures form in different locations near the ground and are ignited by lightning, explosions 2 and con?agrations destroy most of the terrestrial life, and also produce great amounts of smoke and of carbon dioxide. Firestorms carry smoke and dust into the upper atmosphere, where they may remain for several years (Turco et al., 1991); the resulting darkness and global cooling may provide an additional kill mechanism. Conversely, carbon dioxide and the remaining methane create the greenhouse effect, which may lead to global warming. The outcome of the competition between the cooling and the warming tendencies is dif?cult to predict (Turco et al., 1991; Pierrehumbert, 2002). Upon release of a signi?cant portion of the dissolved methane, the ocean settles down, and the entire sequence of events (i.e., development of anoxia, accumulation of dissolved methane, the metastable state, eruption) begins anew. No external cause is required to bring about a methane-driven eruption—its mechanism is self-contained, and implies that eruptions are likely to occur repeatedly at the same location. Because methane is isotopically light, its fast release must result in a negative carbon isotope excursion in the geological record. Knowing the magnitude of the excursion, one can estimate the amount of methane that could have produced it. Such calculations (prompted by the methane-hydrate-dissociation model, but equally applicable here) have been performed for several global events in the geological record; the results range from ;10 18 to 10 19 g of released methane (e.g., Katz et al., 1999; Kennedy et al., 2001; de Wit et al., 2002). These are very large amounts: the total carbon content of today’s terrestrial biomass is ;2 3 10 18 g. Nevertheless, relatively small regions of the deep ocean could contain such amounts of dissolved methane; e.g., the Black Sea alone (volume ;0.4 3 1023 of the ocean total; maximum depth only 2.2 km) could hold, at saturation, ;0.5 3 10 18 g. A similar region of the deep ocean could contain much more (the amount grows quadratically with depth 3 ). Released in a geological instant (weeks, perhaps), 10 18 to 10 19 g of methane could destroy the terrestrial life almost entirely. Combustion and explosion of 0.75 3 10 19 g of methane would liberate energy equivalent to 10 8 Mt of TNT, ;10,000 times greater than the world’s stockpile of nuclear weapons, implicated in the nuclearwinter scenario (Turco et al., 1991). 

Contention 2 is Cooperation

Scenario One is Drilling:

Cuban drilling in the Eastern Gap is inevitable

Tamayo ’13
(Juan – Writer at The Miami Herald. Past Experience ¶ Andean Bureau Chief at Miami Herald¶ Caribbean Correspondent at Miami Herald¶ Foreign Editor at Miami Herald. Award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience as foreign correspondent and editor with The Miami Herald, focusing on Latin America - especially Cuba - as well as the Middle East and Europe. Proven writer, editor and analyst, with contacts around the world. Miami Herald – Friday, 05.31.13¶ http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3424471/russian-oil-company-suspends.html~~23storylink=cpy)
A Russian state oil company drilling off Cuba’s northern shores has reportedly confirmed that it
AND
about 20 percent to that island’s exploration costs, according to Cuban officials.

Absent pro-active protocols, spills are inevitable

Bolstad ’12 - Erika Bolstad is a reporter who covers Washington for the Anchorage Daily News, the Idaho Statesman and McClatchy Newspapers. This evidence internally quotes Lee Hunt, the former president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Hunt, in this instance, is arguably not biased in favor of drilling, as he is speaking to safety and clean-up regimes and he is speaking before a liberal think-tank in favor of human rights – McClatchy Newspapers – May 10, 2012 – http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/05/10/148433/cuba-embargo-could-threaten-oil.html~~23.UaoUWpyADq0
The 50-year-old U.S. embargo of Cuba is getting
AND
in advance the kind of technologies that would be required," Reilly said. 

Scientific co-operation is a pre-requisite to protocols necessary to prevent an oil spill

Pinon 26 Muse, 10 - Jorge R. Piñon and Robert L. Muse, columnists for the Brookings Institute ("Coping with the Next Oil Spill: Why U.S.-Cuba Environmental Cooperation is Critical", May 2010, http://www.brookings.edu/~~/media/research/files/papers/2010/5/1820oil20spill20cuba20pinon/0518_oil_spill_cuba_pinon.pdf)
To respond effectively to an oil-related marine accident, any company operating in
AND
respond to a marine disaster in that country’s waters and on its shores. 

Gulf spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
AND
higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion – the brink is now.

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
AND
of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
AND
transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Aquatic biodiversity checks extinction

Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
AND
kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.

Scenario Two is Disease:

Tropical diseases are emerging now – lack of studies makes them uniquely dangerous

TECD, 13 Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership ProgramWhat are "Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases," 2013, http:www.tecd.prj.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/en/program/background.html)
Tropical region infectious diseases have now become a problem for all humanity because of rapid
AND
prevent the rapid spread of infections, because pathogens propagate regardless of borders.

Those diseases spread

Fabiana Frayssinet, 12 a correspondent since 1989 in Central America, and since 1996 in Brazil, where she served as a contributor for various international media outlets in radio, print and television, including CNN en Español, IPS, UNIVISION, Telefé de Argentina, Radio Suecia and Radio Nederland. 2012 http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/09/scientists-debate-climate-change-impacts-on-tropical-diseases)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Sep 28 2012 (IPS) - More intense rainfall,
AND
to the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which needs warm temperatures.

Extinction

Naish 12 (John Naish, writer for Daily Mail, citing John Oxford, professor of virology at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, Scientific Director of Retroscreen Virology Ltd, considered to be the leading expert on disease and viral outbreaks, 10-14-12, "The Armageddon virus: Why experts fear a disease that leaps from animals to humans could devastate mankind in the next five years," http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217774/The-Armageddon-virus-Why-experts-fear-disease-leaps-animals-humans-devastate-mankind-years.html) gz
When the Health Protection Agency warned the world of this newly- emerging virus last
AND
needs to win only once and it could be the end of humankind.

Cooperation is key

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Disease Vector Species: A good example of a shared disease vector is the Aedes
AND
cooperation between Cuba and the United States in seeking solutions to such threats.

Contention 3 is No War

No chance of miscalculation or escalation – countries will act in their best interests

Luard 88 Research Fellow at St. Antony’s College, Oxford. He has been a diplomat, an academic, and a politician. He is the author of many works on international affairs. (Evan, "Conflict and Peace in the Modern International System," 1988, http://books.google.com/books?id=zcX9SmstEZcC26pg=PA18826lpg=PA18826dq=22nuclear+war22+AROUND(10)+22improbable22+-seth26source=bl26ots=1tM21bwt_c26sig=p05KKWBl5MOVAFXFysI8AFxNrRc26hl=en26sa=X26ei=oWbUUcudN6SZyAHEnICgBA26ved=0CGQQ6AEwCTgK~~23v=onepage26q=22such20a20risk20remains2226f=false)//AM
Nuclear war by miscalculation is almost equally improbable. War of some sort by miscalculation
AND
denying ordinances are now dictated by the manifest self-interest of all. 

No war – international institutions and societal shifts

Contreras, 12 – Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University (Dominic, citing Steven Pinker, Harvard College Professor and Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University, citing Joshua A. Goldstein, Professor Emeritus, School of International Service, American University, February 1, 2012, "Winning the War on War?", Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/21707/winning_the_war_on_war.html?breadcrumb=2Fproject2F522Fintrastate_conflict_program, Hensel)
In a jointly authored December 2011 op-ed in the New York Times,
AND
, but according to Pinker, "you can’t miss the trend line." 

No war – statistics, withdrawals, warfare is changing, the brutality is decreasing, multipolarity solves, and no one would attack the US

Goldstein, 11 – Professor Emeritus, International Relations, American University (Joshua S., September/October 2011, "Think Again: War," Foreign Policy, http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/08/15/think_again_war, Hensel)
¶ "The World Is a More Violent Place Than It Used to Be."¶
AND
, China’s military hasn’t fired a single shot in battle in 25 years.

Nuclear war doesn’t cause extinction – prefer models

Seitz 6 - former associate of the John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies at Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs (Russell, "The’ Nuclear Winter ’ Meltdown Photoshopping the Apocalypse", http://adamant.typepad.com/seitz/2006/12/preherein_honor.html)//AM
All that remains of Sagan’s Big Chill are curves such as this , but history
AND
invoke rare phenomena as commonplace, claiming it prudent to assume the worst.

Even the creators of nuclear winter theory acknowledge that nuclear war could never wipe out everyone- and doesn’t increase C02 levels

ROBOCK 2010 (Alan, Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, "Nuclear Winter," WIREs Climate Change, May/June, Wiley Online Library via University of Michigan Libraries)
While it is important to point out the consequences of nuclear winter, it is
AND
consequences of nuclear winter are extreme enough without these additional effects, however.

Contention 4 is Solvency

Cuba will say, "yes" – interest in science co-operation high and Cuban environmental agencies have political influence

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The Cuban government has noted that environmental cooperation can provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement
AND
, despite the presence of a "US Interests" section in Havana.

Government to government co-op is key – sets best bedrock for relations

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Nature knows no boundaries, and given the number and scale of environmental problems shared
AND
trust between the two societies that can provide some bedrock for future relations.

The federal government is key to response and overcoming lasting ideological concerns

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The White Paper notes: "The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and
AND
to ideological misgivings that have little relevance to the virtues of natural cooperation.

Tournament: Berkeley | Round: 4 | Opponent: Wayzata KM | Judge: Nate Hall

1AC Cal

Plan

Plan: The United States Treasury Department should normalize bilateral scientific cooperation toward Cuba.

Contention 1 is Science Diplomacy

Scientific collaboration with Cuba is of mutual interest, overcomes political alt causes, and generates science diplomacy with Cuba

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
"The kind of scientific development that took place in Cuba for the last half
AND
ways, have been important for both sides for a very long time.

Science diplomacy is key to international influence – benign hegemony solves all impacts

Coletta, 09 – Duke University , Ph.D. in Political Science, December 1999 Harvard University , Master in Public Policy, 1993 Stanford University , Master in Electrical Engineering, 1989 Stanford University , B.S.E.E., 1988 ~September 2009, Damon Coletta, "Science, Technology, and the Quest for International Influence," http://www.dtic.mil/...c=GetTRDoc.pdf~~
 On the one hand, leaders of both political parties in the United States
AND
fretting over the loyalty of experts serving on the remote frontiers of science.

Specifically, science diplomacy with Cuba solves relations and societal sustainability – impact is extinction

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
Small Steps, Significant Potential Those shared interests appear to extend across many fields.
AND
be able to contribute to the sustainability of human societies on planet Earth."

US/Cuba Scientific collaboration solves warming – research and adaptation strategies.

Gary Machlis et al, 12| Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA Thomas A. Frankovich | Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Pedro M. Alcolado | Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Erik García-Machado | Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba Aida Caridad Hernández-Zanuy | CYTED Ibero-American Network BIODIVMAR, Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Robert E. Hueter | Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA Nancy Knowlton | National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA Erick Perera | Marine Aquaculture Department, Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba John W. Tunnell Jr. | Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Texas A26M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA ("OCEAN POLICY | US-Cuba Scientific Collaboration: Emerging Issues and Opportunities in Marine and Related Environmental Sciences", 2012, http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/25-2_machlis.pdf)
Critical issues and opportunities for future US-Cuba collaboration in marine and related environmental
AND
collaborative US-Cuba research can directly inform MPA management in both countries.

Specifically, Cuba is key to clean tech and modeling

EDF, 12 – Environmental Defense Fund ("US and Cuba Seek Common Ground", Environmental Defense Fund, 2012, http://www.edf.org/oceans/us-and-cuba-seek-common-ground)
Tapping clean energy to reduce oil imports As part of a national strategy to gain
AND
Cuba can have huge impacts on the United States and vice-versa."

Clean tech solves warming – it’s also real and anthropogenic

Zervos 26 Coequyt 7 - European Renewable Energy Council 26 Climate 26 Energy Unit @ Greenpeace
Arthouros, and John, Climate 26, "Increasing Renewable Energy in U.S. Can Solve Global Warming", 1-24, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208
The good news first. Renewable energy, combined with energy efficiency, can meet
AND
that minimise both their energy bills and their impact on the global climate.

Warming causes extinction—4 degree projections trigger a laundry list of extinction scenarios

Roberts 13—citing the World Bank Review’s compilation of climate studies
- 4 degree projected warming, can’t adapt
- heat wave related deaths, forest fires, crop production, water wars, ocean acidity, sea level rise, climate migrants, biodiversity loss
David, "If you aren’t alarmed about climate, you aren’t paying attention" ~http://grist.org/climate-energy/climate-alarmism-the-idea-is-surreal/~~ January 10 mtc
We know we’ve raised global average temperatures around 0.8 degrees C so far
AND
, but a world that is inexorably more inhospitable with every passing decade.

Warming melts the arctic ice-causes mass methane release

Connor 11 (Steve Connor- The Independent’s Science Editor, November 9 2011, "Climate change melting polar regions faster than ever before One of the clearest signs of climate change is the loss of floating sea ice in the Arctic", http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-change-melting-polar-regions-faster-than-ever-before-6259145.html)//JM
The frozen "cryosphere" of the Earth, from the Arctic sea in the
AND
University College London, and a former head of the British Antarctic Survey.

Methane burst causes extinction- it’s comparatively worse than nuke war

Ryskin ’3- Ph.D. Chemical Engineering California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA Engineer-Physicist St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia Fluid dynamics; statistical physics; geophysics Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering (Gregory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University, "Methane-driven oceanic eruptions and mass extinctions," Geology, 31(9), September 2003,http://pangea.stanford.edu/research/Oceans/GES205/methaneGeology.pdf)

Contention 2 is Cooperation

Scenario One is Drilling:

Cuban drilling in the Eastern Gap is inevitable

Tamayo ’13
(Juan – Writer at The Miami Herald. Past Experience ¶ Andean Bureau Chief at Miami Herald¶ Caribbean Correspondent at Miami Herald¶ Foreign Editor at Miami Herald. Award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience as foreign correspondent and editor with The Miami Herald, focusing on Latin America - especially Cuba - as well as the Middle East and Europe. Proven writer, editor and analyst, with contacts around the world. Miami Herald – Friday, 05.31.13¶ http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3424471/russian-oil-company-suspends.html~~23storylink=cpy)
A Russian state oil company drilling off Cuba’s northern shores has reportedly confirmed that it
AND
about 20 percent to that island’s exploration costs, according to Cuban officials.

Absent pro-active protocols, spills are inevitable

Bolstad ’12 - Erika Bolstad is a reporter who covers Washington for the Anchorage Daily News, the Idaho Statesman and McClatchy Newspapers. This evidence internally quotes Lee Hunt, the former president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Hunt, in this instance, is arguably not biased in favor of drilling, as he is speaking to safety and clean-up regimes and he is speaking before a liberal think-tank in favor of human rights – McClatchy Newspapers – May 10, 2012 – http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/05/10/148433/cuba-embargo-could-threaten-oil.html~~23.UaoUWpyADq0
The 50-year-old U.S. embargo of Cuba is getting
AND
in advance the kind of technologies that would be required," Reilly said. 

Scientific co-operation is a pre-requisite to protocols necessary to prevent an oil spill

Pinon 26 Muse, 10 - Jorge R. Piñon and Robert L. Muse, columnists for the Brookings Institute ("Coping with the Next Oil Spill: Why U.S.-Cuba Environmental Cooperation is Critical", May 2010, http://www.brookings.edu/~~/media/research/files/papers/2010/5/1820oil20spill20cuba20pinon/0518_oil_spill_cuba_pinon.pdf)
To respond effectively to an oil-related marine accident, any company operating in
AND
respond to a marine disaster in that country’s waters and on its shores. 

Gulf spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
AND
higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion – the brink is now.

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
AND
of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
AND
transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Aquatic biodiversity checks extinction

Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
AND
kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.

Scenario Two is Disease:

Tropical diseases are emerging now – lack of studies makes them uniquely dangerous

TECD, 13 Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership ProgramWhat are "Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases," 2013, http:www.tecd.prj.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/en/program/background.html)
Tropical region infectious diseases have now become a problem for all humanity because of rapid
AND
prevent the rapid spread of infections, because pathogens propagate regardless of borders.

Those diseases spread

Fabiana Frayssinet, 12 a correspondent since 1989 in Central America, and since 1996 in Brazil, where she served as a contributor for various international media outlets in radio, print and television, including CNN en Español, IPS, UNIVISION, Telefé de Argentina, Radio Suecia and Radio Nederland. 2012 http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/09/scientists-debate-climate-change-impacts-on-tropical-diseases)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Sep 28 2012 (IPS) - More intense rainfall,
AND
to the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which needs warm temperatures.

Extinction

Naish 12 (John Naish, writer for Daily Mail, citing John Oxford, professor of virology at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, Scientific Director of Retroscreen Virology Ltd, considered to be the leading expert on disease and viral outbreaks, 10-14-12, "The Armageddon virus: Why experts fear a disease that leaps from animals to humans could devastate mankind in the next five years," http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217774/The-Armageddon-virus-Why-experts-fear-disease-leaps-animals-humans-devastate-mankind-years.html) gz
When the Health Protection Agency warned the world of this newly- emerging virus last
AND
needs to win only once and it could be the end of humankind.

Cooperation is key

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Disease Vector Species: A good example of a shared disease vector is the Aedes
AND
cooperation between Cuba and the United States in seeking solutions to such threats.

Contention 3 is No War

No chance of miscalculation or escalation – countries will act in their best interests

Luard 88 Research Fellow at St. Antony’s College, Oxford. He has been a diplomat, an academic, and a politician. He is the author of many works on international affairs. (Evan, "Conflict and Peace in the Modern International System," 1988, http://books.google.com/books?id=zcX9SmstEZcC26pg=PA18826lpg=PA18826dq=22nuclear+war22+AROUND(10)+22improbable22+-seth26source=bl26ots=1tM21bwt_c26sig=p05KKWBl5MOVAFXFysI8AFxNrRc26hl=en26sa=X26ei=oWbUUcudN6SZyAHEnICgBA26ved=0CGQQ6AEwCTgK~~23v=onepage26q=22such20a20risk20remains2226f=false)//AM
Nuclear war by miscalculation is almost equally improbable. War of some sort by miscalculation
AND
denying ordinances are now dictated by the manifest self-interest of all. 

No war – statistics, withdrawals, warfare is changing, the brutality is decreasing, multipolarity solves, and no one would attack the US

Goldstein, 11 – Professor Emeritus, International Relations, American University (Joshua S., September/October 2011, "Think Again: War," Foreign Policy, http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/08/15/think_again_war, Hensel)
¶ "The World Is a More Violent Place Than It Used to Be."¶
AND
, China’s military hasn’t fired a single shot in battle in 25 years.

Nuclear war doesn’t cause extinction – prefer models

Seitz 6 - former associate of the John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies at Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs (Russell, "The’ Nuclear Winter ’ Meltdown Photoshopping the Apocalypse", http://adamant.typepad.com/seitz/2006/12/preherein_honor.html)//AM
All that remains of Sagan’s Big Chill are curves such as this , but history
AND
invoke rare phenomena as commonplace, claiming it prudent to assume the worst.

Contention 4 is Solvency

Cuba will say, "yes" – interest in science co-operation high and Cuban environmental agencies have political influence

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The Cuban government has noted that environmental cooperation can provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement
AND
, despite the presence of a "US Interests" section in Havana.

Government to government co-op is key – sets best bedrock for relations

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Nature knows no boundaries, and given the number and scale of environmental problems shared
AND
trust between the two societies that can provide some bedrock for future relations.

The federal government is key to response and overcoming lasting ideological concerns

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The White Paper notes: "The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and
AND
to ideological misgivings that have little relevance to the virtues of natural cooperation.

Tournament: Berkeley | Round: 2 | Opponent: Bellarmine NF | Judge: Jorge Toledo

California

Plan

Plan: The United States Treasury Department should normalize bilateral scientific cooperation toward Cuba.

Contention 1 is Science Diplomacy

Scientific collaboration with Cuba is of mutual interest, overcomes political alt causes, and generates science diplomacy with Cuba

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
"The kind of scientific development that took place in Cuba for the last half
AND
ways, have been important for both sides for a very long time.

Science diplomacy is key to international influence – benign hegemony solves all impacts

Coletta, 09 – Duke University , Ph.D. in Political Science, December 1999 Harvard University , Master in Public Policy, 1993 Stanford University , Master in Electrical Engineering, 1989 Stanford University , B.S.E.E., 1988 ~September 2009, Damon Coletta, "Science, Technology, and the Quest for International Influence," http://www.dtic.mil/...c=GetTRDoc.pdf~~
 On the one hand, leaders of both political parties in the United States
AND
fretting over the loyalty of experts serving on the remote frontiers of science.

Specifically, science diplomacy with Cuba solves relations and societal sustainability – impact is extinction

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
Small Steps, Significant Potential Those shared interests appear to extend across many fields.
AND
be able to contribute to the sustainability of human societies on planet Earth."

US/Cuba Scientific collaboration solves warming – research and adaptation strategies.

Gary Machlis et al, 12| Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA Thomas A. Frankovich | Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Pedro M. Alcolado | Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Erik García-Machado | Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba Aida Caridad Hernández-Zanuy | CYTED Ibero-American Network BIODIVMAR, Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Robert E. Hueter | Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA Nancy Knowlton | National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA Erick Perera | Marine Aquaculture Department, Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba John W. Tunnell Jr. | Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Texas A26M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA ("OCEAN POLICY | US-Cuba Scientific Collaboration: Emerging Issues and Opportunities in Marine and Related Environmental Sciences", 2012, http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/25-2_machlis.pdf)
Critical issues and opportunities for future US-Cuba collaboration in marine and related environmental
AND
collaborative US-Cuba research can directly inform MPA management in both countries.

Specifically, Cuba is key to clean tech and modeling

EDF, 12 – Environmental Defense Fund ("US and Cuba Seek Common Ground", Environmental Defense Fund, 2012, http://www.edf.org/oceans/us-and-cuba-seek-common-ground)
Tapping clean energy to reduce oil imports As part of a national strategy to gain
AND
Cuba can have huge impacts on the United States and vice-versa."

Clean tech solves warming – it’s also real and anthropogenic

Zervos 26 Coequyt 7 - European Renewable Energy Council 26 Climate 26 Energy Unit @ Greenpeace
Arthouros, and John, Climate 26, "Increasing Renewable Energy in U.S. Can Solve Global Warming", 1-24, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208
The good news first. Renewable energy, combined with energy efficiency, can meet
AND
that minimise both their energy bills and their impact on the global climate.

Warming causes extinction—4 degree projections trigger a laundry list of extinction scenarios

Roberts 13—citing the World Bank Review’s compilation of climate studies
- 4 degree projected warming, can’t adapt
- heat wave related deaths, forest fires, crop production, water wars, ocean acidity, sea level rise, climate migrants, biodiversity loss
David, "If you aren’t alarmed about climate, you aren’t paying attention" ~http://grist.org/climate-energy/climate-alarmism-the-idea-is-surreal/~~ January 10 mtc
We know we’ve raised global average temperatures around 0.8 degrees C so far
AND
, but a world that is inexorably more inhospitable with every passing decade.

Warming melts the arctic ice-causes mass methane release

Connor 11 (Steve Connor- The Independent’s Science Editor, November 9 2011, "Climate change melting polar regions faster than ever before One of the clearest signs of climate change is the loss of floating sea ice in the Arctic", http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-change-melting-polar-regions-faster-than-ever-before-6259145.html)//JM
The frozen "cryosphere" of the Earth, from the Arctic sea in the
AND
University College London, and a former head of the British Antarctic Survey.

Methane burst causes extinction- it’s comparatively worse than nuke war

Ryskin ’3- Ph.D. Chemical Engineering California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA Engineer-Physicist St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia Fluid dynamics; statistical physics; geophysics Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering (Gregory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University, "Methane-driven oceanic eruptions and mass extinctions," Geology, 31(9), September 2003,http://pangea.stanford.edu/research/Oceans/GES205/methaneGeology.pdf)
METASTABILITY AND ERUPTION A liquid subject to gravity and completely or partially saturated with dissolved gas is, thermodynamically, in a metastable state. Consider for clarity the case when the concentration of the dissolved gas is only slightly below saturation throughout, and thus increases downward in accordance with Henry’s law. Then locally there is no tendency for the dissolved gas to exsolve (to form bubbles), in spite of the fact that nuclei are abundant in seawater. (Exsolution would lead to a slight increase in free energy: below saturation, the chemical potential of the gas species is lower in solution than in the free gas phase.) At the same time, the free energy of the system as a whole would be greatly reduced if most of the dissolved gas were to somehow escape from solution and collect above the liquid. (This free energy reduction is due to the fast decrease of the chemical potential of gas with a drop in pressure.) Thus, the system is in a metastable state, albeit an unusual one. Strictly speaking, this state is not an equilibrium one even locally: the increase of the solute concentration with depth causes a diffusion ?ux directed upward, which, given suf?cient time, could bring the system into the above state of minimum free energy. However, the continuous supply of methane by the rising bubbles from the sea?oor ensures that the concentration pro?le will remain nonuniform, slowly approaching the saturation one. Even if that supply were to cease, the diffusion time scales are so long that this path toward the global energy minimum can be ignored. A very fast transition from this metastable state can be triggered by disturbances that displace ?uid a ?nite distance in the vertical direction. Such disturbances may result from an earthquake, a sea?oor volcano, convection currents due to geothermal heating, or an internal gravity wave. Consider a parcel of ?uid that is displaced upward, and is now subject to lower hydrostatic pressure, to which corresponds a lower solubility value. As a result, the ?uid in the parcel is now supersaturated with the dissolved gas, which must begin to exsolve, forming tiny gas bubbles. (If the ?uid in its original position was only partially saturated, exsolution will begin after the parcel has risen through some signi?cant distance, so in this case the initial disturbance must be suf?ciently large.) The volume of the ascending parcel of ?uid increases due to the formation of bubbles, making it more buoyant and accelerating its rise; this leads to further reduction in the ambient pressure, further exsolution of gas, and further increase in the volume of the parcel. This self-accelerating motion entrains the surrounding ?uid; exsolution of the gas in the latter reinforces the motion. The result is a violent eruption (Kling et al., 1987; Zhang, 1996). From the initial eruption site, hydrodynamic disturbances propagate in all directions (via turbulent entrainment and/or internal gravity waves), triggering eruptions at other sites. Similarly to transitions from other metastable states (e.g., boiling of a superheated liquid), the eruption should spread quickly throughout the region of the ocean where the water column is saturated, or partially saturated, with gas. In spite of the low solubility of methane in seawater, the total possible increase in the buoyancy of the parcel can be large. Consider a parcel that started its rise at 4 km depth, where solubility of methane is ;4.3 3 1023 . Then, if the parcel had a volume of 18 cm3 (1 mol of water) and was saturated with methane, it contained 4.3 3 1023 mol of dissolved methane. By the time this parcel has risen to the surface, essentially all the methane in the parcel has exsolved (solubility is ;2 3 1025 at the surface). At the surface conditions (T ø 25 8C, P 5 1 bar), 1 mol of any gas occupies 25 3 10 3 cm3 , so the total volume of methane in the parcel is ;108 cm3 , and the volume of the parcel, which now contains a mist of water droplets in gaseous methane, is 126 cm3 . That is, the volume of the parcel has increased by a factor of seven. Concurrent exsolution of other dissolved gases (e.g., carbon dioxide CO2 , hydrogen sul?de H2 S) will add to the effect. A rather similar process is responsible for the most violent, explosive volcanic eruptions (called Plinian), such as eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 or Mount St. Helens in 1980. These eruptions are driven by exsolution of gases (primarily water vapor) dissolved in the liquid magma. In Lake Nyos (Cameroon), CO2 of magmatic origin enters the water column from the bottom, at a depth of ;200 m. In 1986, the lake erupted, creating a gas-water fountain ;120 m in height (Zhang, 1996), and releasing a lethal cloud of CO2 . A water surge washed up the shore to a height of ;25 m. The eruption continued for several hours (Kling et al., 1987). OCEANIC ERUPTION AS A CAUSE OF MASS EXTINCTION The consequences of a methane-driven oceanic eruption for marine and terrestrial life are likely to be catastrophic. Figuratively speaking, the erupting region ’’boils over,’’ ejecting a large amount of methane and other gases (e.g., CO2 , H2 S) into the atmosphere, and ?ooding large areas of land. Whereas pure methane is lighter than air, methane loaded with water droplets is much heavier, and thus spreads over the land, mixing with air in the process (and losing water as rain). The air methane mixture is explosive at methane concentrations between 5 and 15; as such mixtures form in different locations near the ground and are ignited by lightning, explosions 2 and con?agrations destroy most of the terrestrial life, and also produce great amounts of smoke and of carbon dioxide. Firestorms carry smoke and dust into the upper atmosphere, where they may remain for several years (Turco et al., 1991); the resulting darkness and global cooling may provide an additional kill mechanism. Conversely, carbon dioxide and the remaining methane create the greenhouse effect, which may lead to global warming. The outcome of the competition between the cooling and the warming tendencies is dif?cult to predict (Turco et al., 1991; Pierrehumbert, 2002). Upon release of a signi?cant portion of the dissolved methane, the ocean settles down, and the entire sequence of events (i.e., development of anoxia, accumulation of dissolved methane, the metastable state, eruption) begins anew. No external cause is required to bring about a methane-driven eruption—its mechanism is self-contained, and implies that eruptions are likely to occur repeatedly at the same location. Because methane is isotopically light, its fast release must result in a negative carbon isotope excursion in the geological record. Knowing the magnitude of the excursion, one can estimate the amount of methane that could have produced it. Such calculations (prompted by the methane-hydrate-dissociation model, but equally applicable here) have been performed for several global events in the geological record; the results range from ;10 18 to 10 19 g of released methane (e.g., Katz et al., 1999; Kennedy et al., 2001; de Wit et al., 2002). These are very large amounts: the total carbon content of today’s terrestrial biomass is ;2 3 10 18 g. Nevertheless, relatively small regions of the deep ocean could contain such amounts of dissolved methane; e.g., the Black Sea alone (volume ;0.4 3 1023 of the ocean total; maximum depth only 2.2 km) could hold, at saturation, ;0.5 3 10 18 g. A similar region of the deep ocean could contain much more (the amount grows quadratically with depth 3 ). Released in a geological instant (weeks, perhaps), 10 18 to 10 19 g of methane could destroy the terrestrial life almost entirely. Combustion and explosion of 0.75 3 10 19 g of methane would liberate energy equivalent to 10 8 Mt of TNT, ;10,000 times greater than the world’s stockpile of nuclear weapons, implicated in the nuclearwinter scenario (Turco et al., 1991). 

Contention 2 is Cooperation

Scenario One is Drilling:

Cuban drilling in the Eastern Gap is inevitable

Tamayo ’13
(Juan – Writer at The Miami Herald. Past Experience ¶ Andean Bureau Chief at Miami Herald¶ Caribbean Correspondent at Miami Herald¶ Foreign Editor at Miami Herald. Award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience as foreign correspondent and editor with The Miami Herald, focusing on Latin America - especially Cuba - as well as the Middle East and Europe. Proven writer, editor and analyst, with contacts around the world. Miami Herald – Friday, 05.31.13¶ http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3424471/russian-oil-company-suspends.html~~23storylink=cpy)
A Russian state oil company drilling off Cuba’s northern shores has reportedly confirmed that it
AND
about 20 percent to that island’s exploration costs, according to Cuban officials.

Absent pro-active protocols, spills are inevitable

Bolstad ’12 - Erika Bolstad is a reporter who covers Washington for the Anchorage Daily News, the Idaho Statesman and McClatchy Newspapers. This evidence internally quotes Lee Hunt, the former president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Hunt, in this instance, is arguably not biased in favor of drilling, as he is speaking to safety and clean-up regimes and he is speaking before a liberal think-tank in favor of human rights – McClatchy Newspapers – May 10, 2012 – http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/05/10/148433/cuba-embargo-could-threaten-oil.html~~23.UaoUWpyADq0
The 50-year-old U.S. embargo of Cuba is getting
AND
in advance the kind of technologies that would be required," Reilly said. 

Scientific co-operation is a pre-requisite to protocols necessary to prevent an oil spill

Pinon 26 Muse, 10 - Jorge R. Piñon and Robert L. Muse, columnists for the Brookings Institute ("Coping with the Next Oil Spill: Why U.S.-Cuba Environmental Cooperation is Critical", May 2010, http://www.brookings.edu/~~/media/research/files/papers/2010/5/1820oil20spill20cuba20pinon/0518_oil_spill_cuba_pinon.pdf)
To respond effectively to an oil-related marine accident, any company operating in
AND
respond to a marine disaster in that country’s waters and on its shores. 

Gulf spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
AND
higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion – the brink is now.

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
AND
of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
AND
transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Aquatic biodiversity checks extinction

Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
AND
kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.

Scenario Two is Disease:

Tropical diseases are emerging now – lack of studies makes them uniquely dangerous

TECD, 13 Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership ProgramWhat are "Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases," 2013, http:www.tecd.prj.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/en/program/background.html)
Tropical region infectious diseases have now become a problem for all humanity because of rapid
AND
prevent the rapid spread of infections, because pathogens propagate regardless of borders.

Those diseases spread

Fabiana Frayssinet, 12 a correspondent since 1989 in Central America, and since 1996 in Brazil, where she served as a contributor for various international media outlets in radio, print and television, including CNN en Español, IPS, UNIVISION, Telefé de Argentina, Radio Suecia and Radio Nederland. 2012 http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/09/scientists-debate-climate-change-impacts-on-tropical-diseases)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Sep 28 2012 (IPS) - More intense rainfall,
AND
to the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which needs warm temperatures.

Extinction

Naish 12 (John Naish, writer for Daily Mail, citing John Oxford, professor of virology at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, Scientific Director of Retroscreen Virology Ltd, considered to be the leading expert on disease and viral outbreaks, 10-14-12, "The Armageddon virus: Why experts fear a disease that leaps from animals to humans could devastate mankind in the next five years," http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217774/The-Armageddon-virus-Why-experts-fear-disease-leaps-animals-humans-devastate-mankind-years.html) gz
When the Health Protection Agency warned the world of this newly- emerging virus last
AND
needs to win only once and it could be the end of humankind.

Cooperation is key

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Disease Vector Species: A good example of a shared disease vector is the Aedes
AND
cooperation between Cuba and the United States in seeking solutions to such threats.

Contention 3 is No War

No chance of miscalculation or escalation – countries will act in their best interests

Luard 88 Research Fellow at St. Antony’s College, Oxford. He has been a diplomat, an academic, and a politician. He is the author of many works on international affairs. (Evan, "Conflict and Peace in the Modern International System," 1988, http://books.google.com/books?id=zcX9SmstEZcC26pg=PA18826lpg=PA18826dq=22nuclear+war22+AROUND(10)+22improbable22+-seth26source=bl26ots=1tM21bwt_c26sig=p05KKWBl5MOVAFXFysI8AFxNrRc26hl=en26sa=X26ei=oWbUUcudN6SZyAHEnICgBA26ved=0CGQQ6AEwCTgK~~23v=onepage26q=22such20a20risk20remains2226f=false)//AM
Nuclear war by miscalculation is almost equally improbable. War of some sort by miscalculation
AND
denying ordinances are now dictated by the manifest self-interest of all. 

No war – statistics, withdrawals, warfare is changing, the brutality is decreasing, multipolarity solves, and no one would attack the US

Goldstein, 11 – Professor Emeritus, International Relations, American University (Joshua S., September/October 2011, "Think Again: War," Foreign Policy, http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/08/15/think_again_war, Hensel)
¶ "The World Is a More Violent Place Than It Used to Be."¶
AND
, China’s military hasn’t fired a single shot in battle in 25 years.

Nuclear war doesn’t cause extinction – prefer models

Seitz 6 - former associate of the John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies at Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs (Russell, "The’ Nuclear Winter ’ Meltdown Photoshopping the Apocalypse", http://adamant.typepad.com/seitz/2006/12/preherein_honor.html)//AM
All that remains of Sagan’s Big Chill are curves such as this , but history
AND
invoke rare phenomena as commonplace, claiming it prudent to assume the worst.

Contention 4 is Solvency

Cuba will say, "yes" – interest in science co-operation high and Cuban environmental agencies have political influence

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The Cuban government has noted that environmental cooperation can provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement
AND
, despite the presence of a "US Interests" section in Havana.

Government to government co-op is key – sets best bedrock for relations

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Nature knows no boundaries, and given the number and scale of environmental problems shared
AND
trust between the two societies that can provide some bedrock for future relations.

The federal government is key to response and overcoming lasting ideological concerns

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The White Paper notes: "The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and
AND
to ideological misgivings that have little relevance to the virtues of natural cooperation.

Tournament: Contact Info | Round: 1 | Opponent: NA | Judge:
Aff Cites: ajbyrne1018@gmail.com
Neg Cites: wwardkirby@gmail.com
Complaints: cdthepenguin@gmail.com or flyingfish787@gmail.com
3 New Trier BK 3

Tournament: Dead Prez Invite | Round: 1 | Opponent: Lane Tech HM | Judge: Alex Duner

Plan

Plan: The United States Treasury Department should normalize bilateral scientific cooperation toward Cuba.

Contention 1 is Science Diplomacy

Scientific collaboration with Cuba is of mutual interest, overcomes political alt causes, and generates science diplomacy with Cuba

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
"The kind of scientific development that took place in Cuba for the last half
AND
ways, have been important for both sides for a very long time.

Science diplomacy is key to international influence – benign hegemony solves all impacts

Coletta, 09 – Duke University , Ph.D. in Political Science, December 1999 Harvard University , Master in Public Policy, 1993 Stanford University , Master in Electrical Engineering, 1989 Stanford University , B.S.E.E., 1988 ~September 2009, Damon Coletta, "Science, Technology, and the Quest for International Influence," http://www.dtic.mil/...c=GetTRDoc.pdf~~
 On the one hand, leaders of both political parties in the United States
AND
fretting over the loyalty of experts serving on the remote frontiers of science.

Specifically, science diplomacy with Cuba solves relations and societal sustainability – impact is extinction

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
Small Steps, Significant Potential Those shared interests appear to extend across many fields.
AND
be able to contribute to the sustainability of human societies on planet Earth."

US/Cuba Scientific collaboration solves warming – research and adaptation strategies.

Gary Machlis et al, 12| Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA Thomas A. Frankovich | Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Pedro M. Alcolado | Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Erik García-Machado | Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba Aida Caridad Hernández-Zanuy | CYTED Ibero-American Network BIODIVMAR, Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Robert E. Hueter | Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA Nancy Knowlton | National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA Erick Perera | Marine Aquaculture Department, Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba John W. Tunnell Jr. | Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Texas A26M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA ("OCEAN POLICY | US-Cuba Scientific Collaboration: Emerging Issues and Opportunities in Marine and Related Environmental Sciences", 2012, http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/25-2_machlis.pdf)
Critical issues and opportunities for future US-Cuba collaboration in marine and related environmental
AND
collaborative US-Cuba research can directly inform MPA management in both countries.

Specifically, Cuba is key to clean tech and modeling

EDF, 12 – Environmental Defense Fund ("US and Cuba Seek Common Ground", Environmental Defense Fund, 2012, http://www.edf.org/oceans/us-and-cuba-seek-common-ground)
Tapping clean energy to reduce oil imports As part of a national strategy to gain
AND
Cuba can have huge impacts on the United States and vice-versa."

Clean tech solves warming – it’s also real and anthropogenic

Zervos 26 Coequyt 7 - European Renewable Energy Council 26 Climate 26 Energy Unit @ Greenpeace
Arthouros, and John, Climate 26, "Increasing Renewable Energy in U.S. Can Solve Global Warming", 1-24, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208
The good news first. Renewable energy, combined with energy efficiency, can meet
AND
that minimise both their energy bills and their impact on the global climate.

Warming causes extinction—4 degree projections trigger a laundry list of extinction scenarios

Roberts 13—citing the World Bank Review’s compilation of climate studies
- 4 degree projected warming, can’t adapt
- heat wave related deaths, forest fires, crop production, water wars, ocean acidity, sea level rise, climate migrants, biodiversity loss
David, "If you aren’t alarmed about climate, you aren’t paying attention" ~http://grist.org/climate-energy/climate-alarmism-the-idea-is-surreal/~~ January 10 mtc
We know we’ve raised global average temperatures around 0.8 degrees C so far
AND
, but a world that is inexorably more inhospitable with every passing decade.

Warming melts the arctic ice-causes mass methane release

Connor 11 (Steve Connor- The Independent’s Science Editor, November 9 2011, "Climate change melting polar regions faster than ever before One of the clearest signs of climate change is the loss of floating sea ice in the Arctic", http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-change-melting-polar-regions-faster-than-ever-before-6259145.html)//JM
The frozen "cryosphere" of the Earth, from the Arctic sea in the
AND
University College London, and a former head of the British Antarctic Survey.

Methane burst causes extinction- it’s comparatively worse than nuke war

Ryskin ’3- Ph.D. Chemical Engineering California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA Engineer-Physicist St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia Fluid dynamics; statistical physics; geophysics Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering (Gregory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University, "Methane-driven oceanic eruptions and mass extinctions," Geology, 31(9), September 2003,http://pangea.stanford.edu/research/Oceans/GES205/methaneGeology.pdf)

Contention 2 is Cooperation

Scenario One is Drilling:

Cuban drilling in the Eastern Gap is inevitable

Tamayo ’13
(Juan – Writer at The Miami Herald. Past Experience ¶ Andean Bureau Chief at Miami Herald¶ Caribbean Correspondent at Miami Herald¶ Foreign Editor at Miami Herald. Award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience as foreign correspondent and editor with The Miami Herald, focusing on Latin America - especially Cuba - as well as the Middle East and Europe. Proven writer, editor and analyst, with contacts around the world. Miami Herald – Friday, 05.31.13¶ http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3424471/russian-oil-company-suspends.html~~23storylink=cpy)
A Russian state oil company drilling off Cuba’s northern shores has reportedly confirmed that it
AND
about 20 percent to that island’s exploration costs, according to Cuban officials.

Absent pro-active protocols, spills are inevitable

Bolstad ’12 - Erika Bolstad is a reporter who covers Washington for the Anchorage Daily News, the Idaho Statesman and McClatchy Newspapers. This evidence internally quotes Lee Hunt, the former president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Hunt, in this instance, is arguably not biased in favor of drilling, as he is speaking to safety and clean-up regimes and he is speaking before a liberal think-tank in favor of human rights – McClatchy Newspapers – May 10, 2012 – http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/05/10/148433/cuba-embargo-could-threaten-oil.html~~23.UaoUWpyADq0
The 50-year-old U.S. embargo of Cuba is getting
AND
in advance the kind of technologies that would be required," Reilly said. 

Scientific co-operation is a pre-requisite to protocols necessary to prevent an oil spill

Pinon 26 Muse, 10 - Jorge R. Piñon and Robert L. Muse, columnists for the Brookings Institute ("Coping with the Next Oil Spill: Why U.S.-Cuba Environmental Cooperation is Critical", May 2010, http://www.brookings.edu/~~/media/research/files/papers/2010/5/1820oil20spill20cuba20pinon/0518_oil_spill_cuba_pinon.pdf)
To respond effectively to an oil-related marine accident, any company operating in
AND
respond to a marine disaster in that country’s waters and on its shores. 

Gulf spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
AND
higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion – the brink is now.

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
AND
of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
AND
transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Aquatic biodiversity checks extinction

Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
AND
kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.

Scenario Two is Disease:

Tropical diseases are emerging now – lack of studies makes them uniquely dangerous

TECD, 13 Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership ProgramWhat are "Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases," 2013, http:www.tecd.prj.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/en/program/background.html)
Tropical region infectious diseases have now become a problem for all humanity because of rapid
AND
prevent the rapid spread of infections, because pathogens propagate regardless of borders.

Those diseases spread

Fabiana Frayssinet, 12 a correspondent since 1989 in Central America, and since 1996 in Brazil, where she served as a contributor for various international media outlets in radio, print and television, including CNN en Español, IPS, UNIVISION, Telefé de Argentina, Radio Suecia and Radio Nederland. 2012 http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/09/scientists-debate-climate-change-impacts-on-tropical-diseases)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Sep 28 2012 (IPS) - More intense rainfall,
AND
to the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which needs warm temperatures.

Extinction

Naish 12 (John Naish, writer for Daily Mail, citing John Oxford, professor of virology at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, Scientific Director of Retroscreen Virology Ltd, considered to be the leading expert on disease and viral outbreaks, 10-14-12, "The Armageddon virus: Why experts fear a disease that leaps from animals to humans could devastate mankind in the next five years," http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217774/The-Armageddon-virus-Why-experts-fear-disease-leaps-animals-humans-devastate-mankind-years.html) gz
When the Health Protection Agency warned the world of this newly- emerging virus last
AND
needs to win only once and it could be the end of humankind.

Cooperation is key

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Disease Vector Species: A good example of a shared disease vector is the Aedes
AND
cooperation between Cuba and the United States in seeking solutions to such threats.

Contention 3 is No War

No chance of miscalculation or escalation – countries will act in their best interests

Luard 88 Research Fellow at St. Antony’s College, Oxford. He has been a diplomat, an academic, and a politician. He is the author of many works on international affairs. (Evan, "Conflict and Peace in the Modern International System," 1988, http://books.google.com/books?id=zcX9SmstEZcC26pg=PA18826lpg=PA18826dq=22nuclear+war22+AROUND(10)+22improbable22+-seth26source=bl26ots=1tM21bwt_c26sig=p05KKWBl5MOVAFXFysI8AFxNrRc26hl=en26sa=X26ei=oWbUUcudN6SZyAHEnICgBA26ved=0CGQQ6AEwCTgK~~23v=onepage26q=22such20a20risk20remains2226f=false)//AM
Nuclear war by miscalculation is almost equally improbable. War of some sort by miscalculation
AND
denying ordinances are now dictated by the manifest self-interest of all. 

No war – statistics, withdrawals, warfare is changing, the brutality is decreasing, multipolarity solves, and no one would attack the US

Goldstein, 11 – Professor Emeritus, International Relations, American University (Joshua S., September/October 2011, "Think Again: War," Foreign Policy, http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/08/15/think_again_war, Hensel)
¶ "The World Is a More Violent Place Than It Used to Be."¶
AND
, China’s military hasn’t fired a single shot in battle in 25 years.

Nuclear war doesn’t cause extinction – prefer models

Seitz 6 - former associate of the John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies at Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs (Russell, "The’ Nuclear Winter ’ Meltdown Photoshopping the Apocalypse", http://adamant.typepad.com/seitz/2006/12/preherein_honor.html)//AM
All that remains of Sagan’s Big Chill are curves such as this , but history
AND
invoke rare phenomena as commonplace, claiming it prudent to assume the worst.

Contention 4 is Solvency

Cuba will say, "yes" – interest in science co-operation high and Cuban environmental agencies have political influence

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The Cuban government has noted that environmental cooperation can provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement
AND
, despite the presence of a "US Interests" section in Havana.

Government to government co-op is key – sets best bedrock for relations

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Nature knows no boundaries, and given the number and scale of environmental problems shared
AND
trust between the two societies that can provide some bedrock for future relations.

The federal government is key to response and overcoming lasting ideological concerns

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The White Paper notes: "The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and
AND
to ideological misgivings that have little relevance to the virtues of natural cooperation.

Tournament: Glenbrooks | Round: 2 | Opponent: Pace CM | Judge: Dustin M-I

1AC Glenbrooks

Advantage 1 is Democracy

Status quo political shifts bolster the opportunity to increase relations – visas are key

Johnson et al, 12  - Stephen L. Johnson was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush during the second term of his administration ("U.S.-Cuba Academic and Science-Based Excha,nges prospects for a two-way street", Aug. 2012, CSIS, http://csis.org/files/publication/120821_Johnson_U.S.-CubaExchanges_Web.pdf)**
Since the early days of official U.S. public diplomacy at the outset
AND
control and open the door to relationships that may result in deeper understanding.

Scientific exchanges with Cuba spill over – these forums spur democracy and solve a laundry list of existing issues

Johnson et al, 12  - Stephen L. Johnson was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush during the second term of his administration ("U.S.-Cuba Academic and Science-Based Exchanges prospects for a two-way street", Aug. 2012, CSIS, http://csis.org/files/publication/120821_Johnson_U.S.-CubaExchanges_Web.pdf)
While artistic and sports exchanges are probably the most familiar, they usually provide only
AND
contributed lessons on how to facilitate and plan scholarly exchanges in similar situations. 

U.S. science collaboration solves diplomacy and cooperation – empirically proven

Federoff, 8 -  professor @ Penn State, National Medal of Science Recipient, Master @ Syracuse University, PhD @ Rockefeller University, National Science Board, Science and Technology Adviser to Sec. of State (Nina V., Statement before Congress, "Making Science Diplomacy More Effective",  4-2-11, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-110hhrg41470/html/CHRG-110hhrg41470.htm)
Chairman Baird, Ranking Member Ehlers, and distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank
AND
our allies, to advance U.S. interests in foreign policy.

Spills-over to global coop - Cuba is key to US-Latin American influence

Shifter ’12 
(Michael is an Adjunct Professor of Latin American Studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and writes for the Council’s journal Foreign Affairs. He serves as the President of Inter-American Dialogue. "Remaking the Relationship: The United States and Latin America," April, IAD Policy Report, http://www.thedialogue.org/PublicationFiles/IAD2012PolicyReportFINAL.pdf)
Cuba, too, poses a significant challenge for relations between the United States and
AND
consultation and collaboration on a new, more effective approach to the problem.

Latin America is a key model for global democracy

Baron, 11 Perry Bacon Jr, 3-21-2011, "Obama lauds Latin American democracies as role models for the Middle East," Washington Post, http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-03-21/world/35207771_1_history-and-gain-clarity-pinochet-era-obama-administration, accessed 5-10-2013
Can the Middle East learn from Latin America? On his tour of Central and
AND
of power and how to navigate the winding paths of reform and reconciliation."

Democracy solves all major wars, terrorism, environmental destruction, and prolif

Kenneth Wollack 8, President of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, 2008, "Democracy promotion: Serving U.S. Values and Interests," Northwestern University Law Review, Vol. 102, No. 1.
Needless to say, threats to American interests still exist. They include international terrorism
AND
nations; they are also pragmatic tools that are powerful weapons against extremism.

Terrorism causes extinction

Alexander, 03 (Yonah, Prof at the Inter-University for Terrorism Studies in Israel and the United States, "Terrorism myths and realities", Washington Times, 8/28/1903, p. http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/19030827-084256-8999r.htm)
Last week’s brutal suicide bombings in Baghdad and Jerusalem have once again illustrated dramatically that
AND
) with its serious implications concerning national, regional and global security concerns.

Advantage 2 is Science Diplomacy

Scientific collaboration with Cuba is of mutual interest, overcomes political alt causes, and generates science diplomacy with Cuba

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
"The kind of scientific development that took place in Cuba for the last half
AND
ways, have been important for both sides for a very long time.

Science diplomacy is key to international influence – benign hegemony solves all impacts

Coletta, 09 – Duke University , Ph.D. in Political Science, December 1999 Harvard University , Master in Public Policy, 1993 Stanford University , Master in Electrical Engineering, 1989 Stanford University , B.S.E.E., 1988 ~September 2009, Damon Coletta, "Science, Technology, and the Quest for International Influence," http://www.dtic.mil/...c=GetTRDoc.pdf~~-http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA53613326Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf5D
 On the one hand, leaders of both political parties in the United States
AND
fretting over the loyalty of experts serving on the remote frontiers of science.

Specifically, science diplomacy with Cuba solves relations and societal sustainability – impact is extinction

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
Small Steps, Significant Potential Those shared interests appear to extend across many fields.
AND
be able to contribute to the sustainability of human societies on planet Earth."

US/Cuba Scientific collaboration solves warming – research and adaptation strategies.

Gary Machlis et al, 12| Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA Thomas A. Frankovich | Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Pedro M. Alcolado | Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Erik García-Machado | Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba Aida Caridad Hernández-Zanuy | CYTED Ibero-American Network BIODIVMAR, Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Robert E. Hueter | Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA Nancy Knowlton | National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA Erick Perera | Marine Aquaculture Department, Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba John W. Tunnell Jr. | Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Texas A26M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA ("OCEAN POLICY | US-Cuba Scientific Collaboration: Emerging Issues and Opportunities in Marine and Related Environmental Sciences", 2012, http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/25-2_machlis.pdf)
Critical issues and opportunities for future US-Cuba collaboration in marine and related environmental
AND
collaborative US-Cuba research can directly inform MPA management in both countries.

Specifically, Cuba is key to clean tech and modeling

EDF, 12 – Environmental Defense Fund ("US and Cuba Seek Common Ground", Environmental Defense Fund, 2012, http://www.edf.org/oceans/us-and-cuba-seek-common-ground)
Tapping clean energy to reduce oil imports As part of a national strategy to gain
AND
Cuba can have huge impacts on the United States and vice-versa."
Clean tech solves warming – it’s also real and anthropogenic
Zervos 26 Coequyt 7 - European Renewable Energy Council 26 Climate 26 Energy Unit @ Greenpeace
Arthouros, and John, Climate 26, "Increasing Renewable Energy in U.S. Can Solve Global Warming", 1-24, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208-http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208
The good news first. Renewable energy, combined with energy efficiency, can meet
AND
that minimise both their energy bills and their impact on the global climate.
Warming is the only existential risk
Deibel ’07—Prof IR @ National War College (Terry, "Foreign Affairs
AND
States, but potentially to the continued existence of life on this planet.
Advantage 3 is Drilling

Cuban drilling in the Eastern Gap is inevitable

Tamayo ’13
(Juan – Writer at The Miami Herald. Past Experience ¶ Andean Bureau Chief at Miami Herald¶ Caribbean Correspondent at Miami Herald¶ Foreign Editor at Miami Herald. Award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience as foreign correspondent and editor with The Miami Herald, focusing on Latin America - especially Cuba - as well as the Middle East and Europe. Proven writer, editor and analyst, with contacts around the world. Miami Herald – Friday, 05.31.13¶ http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3424471/russian-oil-company-suspends.html~~23storylink=cpy)
A Russian state oil company drilling off Cuba’s northern shores has reportedly confirmed that it
AND
about 20 percent to that island’s exploration costs, according to Cuban officials.

Absent pro-active protocols, spills are inevitable

Bolstad ’12 - Erika Bolstad is a reporter who covers Washington for the Anchorage Daily News, the Idaho Statesman and McClatchy Newspapers. This evidence internally quotes Lee Hunt, the former president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Hunt, in this instance, is arguably not biased in favor of drilling, as he is speaking to safety and clean-up regimes and he is speaking before a liberal think-tank in favor of human rights – McClatchy Newspapers – May 10, 2012 – http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/05/10/148433/cuba-embargo-could-threaten-oil.html~~23.UaoUWpyADq0
The 50-year-old U.S. embargo of Cuba is getting
AND
in advance the kind of technologies that would be required," Reilly said. 

Scientific co-operation is a pre-requisite to protocols necessary to prevent an oil spill

Pinon 26 Muse, 10 - Jorge R. Piñon and Robert L. Muse, columnists for the Brookings Institute ("Coping with the Next Oil Spill: Why U.S.-Cuba Environmental Cooperation is Critical", May 2010, http://www.brookings.edu/~~/media/research/files/papers/2010/5/1820oil20spill20cuba20pinon/0518_oil_spill_cuba_pinon.pdf)
To respond effectively to an oil-related marine accident, any company operating in
AND
respond to a marine disaster in that country’s waters and on its shores. 

Gulf spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf-http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
AND
higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion – the brink is now.

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm-http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
AND
of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
AND
transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Aquatic biodiversity checks extinction

Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
AND
kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.
Plan

Plan: The United States Treasury Department should normalize bilateral scientific cooperation and travel toward Cuba.

Solvency

Cuba will say, "yes" – interest in science co-operation high and Cuban environmental agencies have political influence

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The Cuban government has noted that environmental cooperation can provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement
AND
, despite the presence of a "US Interests" section in Havana.

Government to government co-op is key – sets best bedrock for relations

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Nature knows no boundaries, and given the number and scale of environmental problems shared
AND
trust between the two societies that can provide some bedrock for future relations.

The federal government is key to response and overcoming lasting ideological concerns

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The White Paper notes: "The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and
AND
to ideological misgivings that have little relevance to the virtues of natural cooperation.

Tournament: Glenbrooks | Round: 3 | Opponent: MBA ZZ | Judge: Jon Sharp

1AC Glenbrooks

Advantage 1 is Democracy

Status quo political shifts bolster the opportunity to increase relations – visas are key

Johnson et al, 12  - Stephen L. Johnson was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush during the second term of his administration ("U.S.-Cuba Academic and Science-Based Excha,nges prospects for a two-way street", Aug. 2012, CSIS, http://csis.org/files/publication/120821_Johnson_U.S.-CubaExchanges_Web.pdf)**
Since the early days of official U.S. public diplomacy at the outset
AND
control and open the door to relationships that may result in deeper understanding.

Scientific exchanges with Cuba spill over – these forums spur democracy and solve a laundry list of existing issues

Johnson et al, 12  - Stephen L. Johnson was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush during the second term of his administration ("U.S.-Cuba Academic and Science-Based Exchanges prospects for a two-way street", Aug. 2012, CSIS, http://csis.org/files/publication/120821_Johnson_U.S.-CubaExchanges_Web.pdf)
While artistic and sports exchanges are probably the most familiar, they usually provide only
AND
contributed lessons on how to facilitate and plan scholarly exchanges in similar situations. 

U.S. science collaboration solves diplomacy and cooperation – empirically proven

Federoff, 8 -  professor @ Penn State, National Medal of Science Recipient, Master @ Syracuse University, PhD @ Rockefeller University, National Science Board, Science and Technology Adviser to Sec. of State (Nina V., Statement before Congress, "Making Science Diplomacy More Effective",  4-2-11, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-110hhrg41470/html/CHRG-110hhrg41470.htm)
Chairman Baird, Ranking Member Ehlers, and distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank
AND
our allies, to advance U.S. interests in foreign policy.

Spills-over to global coop - Cuba is key to US-Latin American influence

Shifter ’12 
(Michael is an Adjunct Professor of Latin American Studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and writes for the Council’s journal Foreign Affairs. He serves as the President of Inter-American Dialogue. "Remaking the Relationship: The United States and Latin America," April, IAD Policy Report, http://www.thedialogue.org/PublicationFiles/IAD2012PolicyReportFINAL.pdf)
Cuba, too, poses a significant challenge for relations between the United States and
AND
consultation and collaboration on a new, more effective approach to the problem.

Latin America is a key model for global democracy

Baron, 11 Perry Bacon Jr, 3-21-2011, "Obama lauds Latin American democracies as role models for the Middle East," Washington Post, http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-03-21/world/35207771_1_history-and-gain-clarity-pinochet-era-obama-administration, accessed 5-10-2013
Can the Middle East learn from Latin America? On his tour of Central and
AND
of power and how to navigate the winding paths of reform and reconciliation."

Democracy solves all major wars, terrorism, and environmental destruction,

Kenneth Wollack 8, President of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, 2008, "Democracy promotion: Serving U.S. Values and Interests," Northwestern University Law Review, Vol. 102, No. 1.
Needless to say, threats to American interests still exist. They include international terrorism
AND
nations; they are also pragmatic tools that are powerful weapons against extremism.

Terrorism causes extinction

Alexander, 03 (Yonah, Prof at the Inter-University for Terrorism Studies in Israel and the United States, "Terrorism myths and realities", Washington Times, 8/28/1903, p. http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/19030827-084256-8999r.htm)
Last week’s brutal suicide bombings in Baghdad and Jerusalem have once again illustrated dramatically that
AND
) with its serious implications concerning national, regional and global security concerns.

Advantage 2 is Science Diplomacy

Scientific collaboration with Cuba is of mutual interest, overcomes political alt causes, and generates science diplomacy with Cuba

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
"The kind of scientific development that took place in Cuba for the last half
AND
ways, have been important for both sides for a very long time.

Science diplomacy is key to international influence – benign hegemony solves all impacts

Coletta, 09 – Duke University , Ph.D. in Political Science, December 1999 Harvard University , Master in Public Policy, 1993 Stanford University , Master in Electrical Engineering, 1989 Stanford University , B.S.E.E., 1988 ~September 2009, Damon Coletta, "Science, Technology, and the Quest for International Influence," http://www.dtic.mil/...c=GetTRDoc.pdf~~-http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA53613326Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf5D
 On the one hand, leaders of both political parties in the United States
AND
fretting over the loyalty of experts serving on the remote frontiers of science.

Specifically, science diplomacy with Cuba solves relations and societal sustainability – impact is extinction

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
Small Steps, Significant Potential Those shared interests appear to extend across many fields.
AND
be able to contribute to the sustainability of human societies on planet Earth."

US/Cuba Scientific collaboration solves warming – research and adaptation strategies.

Gary Machlis et al, 12| Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA Thomas A. Frankovich | Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Pedro M. Alcolado | Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Erik García-Machado | Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba Aida Caridad Hernández-Zanuy | CYTED Ibero-American Network BIODIVMAR, Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Robert E. Hueter | Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA Nancy Knowlton | National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA Erick Perera | Marine Aquaculture Department, Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba John W. Tunnell Jr. | Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Texas A26M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA ("OCEAN POLICY | US-Cuba Scientific Collaboration: Emerging Issues and Opportunities in Marine and Related Environmental Sciences", 2012, http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/25-2_machlis.pdf)
Critical issues and opportunities for future US-Cuba collaboration in marine and related environmental
AND
collaborative US-Cuba research can directly inform MPA management in both countries.

Specifically, Cuba is key to clean tech and modeling

EDF, 12 – Environmental Defense Fund ("US and Cuba Seek Common Ground", Environmental Defense Fund, 2012, http://www.edf.org/oceans/us-and-cuba-seek-common-ground)
Tapping clean energy to reduce oil imports As part of a national strategy to gain
AND
Cuba can have huge impacts on the United States and vice-versa."
Clean tech solves warming – it’s also real and anthropogenic
Zervos 26 Coequyt 7 - European Renewable Energy Council 26 Climate 26 Energy Unit @ Greenpeace
Arthouros, and John, Climate 26, "Increasing Renewable Energy in U.S. Can Solve Global Warming", 1-24, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208-http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208
The good news first. Renewable energy, combined with energy efficiency, can meet
AND
that minimise both their energy bills and their impact on the global climate.
Warming is the only existential risk
Deibel ’07—Prof IR @ National War College (Terry, "Foreign Affairs
AND
States, but potentially to the continued existence of life on this planet.
Advantage 3 is Drilling

Cuban drilling in the Eastern Gap is inevitable

Tamayo ’13
(Juan – Writer at The Miami Herald. Past Experience ¶ Andean Bureau Chief at Miami Herald¶ Caribbean Correspondent at Miami Herald¶ Foreign Editor at Miami Herald. Award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience as foreign correspondent and editor with The Miami Herald, focusing on Latin America - especially Cuba - as well as the Middle East and Europe. Proven writer, editor and analyst, with contacts around the world. Miami Herald – Friday, 05.31.13¶ http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3424471/russian-oil-company-suspends.html~~23storylink=cpy)
A Russian state oil company drilling off Cuba’s northern shores has reportedly confirmed that it
AND
about 20 percent to that island’s exploration costs, according to Cuban officials.

Absent pro-active protocols, spills are inevitable

Bolstad ’12 - Erika Bolstad is a reporter who covers Washington for the Anchorage Daily News, the Idaho Statesman and McClatchy Newspapers. This evidence internally quotes Lee Hunt, the former president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Hunt, in this instance, is arguably not biased in favor of drilling, as he is speaking to safety and clean-up regimes and he is speaking before a liberal think-tank in favor of human rights – McClatchy Newspapers – May 10, 2012 – http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/05/10/148433/cuba-embargo-could-threaten-oil.html~~23.UaoUWpyADq0
The 50-year-old U.S. embargo of Cuba is getting
AND
in advance the kind of technologies that would be required," Reilly said. 

Scientific co-operation is a pre-requisite to protocols necessary to prevent an oil spill

Pinon 26 Muse, 10 - Jorge R. Piñon and Robert L. Muse, columnists for the Brookings Institute ("Coping with the Next Oil Spill: Why U.S.-Cuba Environmental Cooperation is Critical", May 2010, http://www.brookings.edu/~~/media/research/files/papers/2010/5/1820oil20spill20cuba20pinon/0518_oil_spill_cuba_pinon.pdf)
To respond effectively to an oil-related marine accident, any company operating in
AND
respond to a marine disaster in that country’s waters and on its shores. 

Gulf spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf-http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
AND
higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion – the brink is now.

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm-http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
AND
of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
AND
transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Aquatic biodiversity checks extinction

Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
AND
kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.
Plan

Plan: The United States Treasury Department should normalize bilateral scientific cooperation and travel toward Cuba.

Solvency

Cuba will say, "yes" – interest in science co-operation high and Cuban environmental agencies have political influence

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The Cuban government has noted that environmental cooperation can provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement
AND
, despite the presence of a "US Interests" section in Havana.

Government to government co-op is key – sets best bedrock for relations

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Nature knows no boundaries, and given the number and scale of environmental problems shared
AND
trust between the two societies that can provide some bedrock for future relations.

The federal government is key to response and overcoming lasting ideological concerns

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The White Paper notes: "The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and
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to ideological misgivings that have little relevance to the virtues of natural cooperation.

Tournament: Glenbrooks | Round: 5 | Opponent: Niles West DS | Judge: Mike Fannon

1AC Glenbrooks

Plan

Plan: The United States Treasury Department should normalize bilateral scientific cooperation and travel toward Cuba.

Advantage 1 is Democracy

Status quo political shifts bolster the opportunity to increase relations – visas are key

Johnson et al, 12  - Stephen L. Johnson was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush during the second term of his administration ("U.S.-Cuba Academic and Science-Based Excha,nges prospects for a two-way street", Aug. 2012, CSIS, http://csis.org/files/publication/120821_Johnson_U.S.-CubaExchanges_Web.pdf)**
Since the early days of official U.S. public diplomacy at the outset
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control and open the door to relationships that may result in deeper understanding.

Scientific exchanges with Cuba spill over – these forums spur democracy and solve a laundry list of existing issues

Johnson et al, 12  - Stephen L. Johnson was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush during the second term of his administration ("U.S.-Cuba Academic and Science-Based Exchanges prospects for a two-way street", Aug. 2012, CSIS, http://csis.org/files/publication/120821_Johnson_U.S.-CubaExchanges_Web.pdf)
While artistic and sports exchanges are probably the most familiar, they usually provide only
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contributed lessons on how to facilitate and plan scholarly exchanges in similar situations. 

U.S. science collaboration solves diplomacy and cooperation – empirically proven

Federoff, 8 -  professor @ Penn State, National Medal of Science Recipient, Master @ Syracuse University, PhD @ Rockefeller University, National Science Board, Science and Technology Adviser to Sec. of State (Nina V., Statement before Congress, "Making Science Diplomacy More Effective",  4-2-11, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-110hhrg41470/html/CHRG-110hhrg41470.htm)
Chairman Baird, Ranking Member Ehlers, and distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank
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our allies, to advance U.S. interests in foreign policy.

Spills-over to global coop - Cuba is key to US-Latin American influence

Shifter ’12 
(Michael is an Adjunct Professor of Latin American Studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and writes for the Council’s journal Foreign Affairs. He serves as the President of Inter-American Dialogue. "Remaking the Relationship: The United States and Latin America," April, IAD Policy Report, http://www.thedialogue.org/PublicationFiles/IAD2012PolicyReportFINAL.pdf)
Cuba, too, poses a significant challenge for relations between the United States and
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consultation and collaboration on a new, more effective approach to the problem.

Latin America is a key model for global democracy

Baron, 11 Perry Bacon Jr, 3-21-2011, "Obama lauds Latin American democracies as role models for the Middle East," Washington Post, http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-03-21/world/35207771_1_history-and-gain-clarity-pinochet-era-obama-administration, accessed 5-10-2013
Can the Middle East learn from Latin America? On his tour of Central and
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of power and how to navigate the winding paths of reform and reconciliation."

Democracy solves all major wars, terrorism, environmental destruction,

Kenneth Wollack 8, President of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, 2008, "Democracy promotion: Serving U.S. Values and Interests," Northwestern University Law Review, Vol. 102, No. 1.
Needless to say, threats to American interests still exist. They include international terrorism
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nations; they are also pragmatic tools that are powerful weapons against extremism.

Terrorism causes extinction

Alexander, 03 (Yonah, Prof at the Inter-University for Terrorism Studies in Israel and the United States, "Terrorism myths and realities", Washington Times, 8/28/1903, p. http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/19030827-084256-8999r.htm)
Last week’s brutal suicide bombings in Baghdad and Jerusalem have once again illustrated dramatically that
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) with its serious implications concerning national, regional and global security concerns.

Advantage 2 is Science Diplomacy

Scientific collaboration with Cuba is of mutual interest, overcomes political alt causes, and generates science diplomacy with Cuba

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
"The kind of scientific development that took place in Cuba for the last half
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ways, have been important for both sides for a very long time.

Science diplomacy is key to international influence – benign hegemony solves all impacts

Coletta, 09 – Duke University , Ph.D. in Political Science, December 1999 Harvard University , Master in Public Policy, 1993 Stanford University , Master in Electrical Engineering, 1989 Stanford University , B.S.E.E., 1988 ~September 2009, Damon Coletta, "Science, Technology, and the Quest for International Influence," http://www.dtic.mil/...c=GetTRDoc.pdf~~-http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA53613326Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf5D
 On the one hand, leaders of both political parties in the United States
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fretting over the loyalty of experts serving on the remote frontiers of science.

Specifically, science diplomacy with Cuba solves relations and societal sustainability – impact is extinction

Lempinen 12 Edward W. Lempinen is a columnist for AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science, "Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world) ("Oceans, Weather, Health—U.S. Researchers Explore Potential Collaboration with Cuban Colleagues", May 1st, 2012, http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2012/0501cuba.shtml)
Small Steps, Significant Potential Those shared interests appear to extend across many fields.
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be able to contribute to the sustainability of human societies on planet Earth."

US/Cuba Scientific collaboration solves warming – research and adaptation strategies.

Gary Machlis et al, 12| Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA Thomas A. Frankovich | Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA Pedro M. Alcolado | Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Erik García-Machado | Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba Aida Caridad Hernández-Zanuy | CYTED Ibero-American Network BIODIVMAR, Instituto de Oceanología, Havana, Cuba Robert E. Hueter | Directorate of Marine Biology and Conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA Nancy Knowlton | National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA Erick Perera | Marine Aquaculture Department, Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, Miramar, Cuba John W. Tunnell Jr. | Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Texas A26M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA ("OCEAN POLICY | US-Cuba Scientific Collaboration: Emerging Issues and Opportunities in Marine and Related Environmental Sciences", 2012, http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/25-2_machlis.pdf)
Critical issues and opportunities for future US-Cuba collaboration in marine and related environmental
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collaborative US-Cuba research can directly inform MPA management in both countries.

Specifically, Cuba is key to clean tech and modeling

EDF, 12 – Environmental Defense Fund ("US and Cuba Seek Common Ground", Environmental Defense Fund, 2012, http://www.edf.org/oceans/us-and-cuba-seek-common-ground)
Tapping clean energy to reduce oil imports As part of a national strategy to gain
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Cuba can have huge impacts on the United States and vice-versa."
Clean tech solves warming – it’s also real and anthropogenic
Zervos 26 Coequyt 7 - European Renewable Energy Council 26 Climate 26 Energy Unit @ Greenpeace
Arthouros, and John, Climate 26, "Increasing Renewable Energy in U.S. Can Solve Global Warming", 1-24, http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208-http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=47208
The good news first. Renewable energy, combined with energy efficiency, can meet
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that minimise both their energy bills and their impact on the global climate.
Warming is the only existential risk
Deibel ’07—Prof IR @ National War College (Terry, "Foreign Affairs
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States, but potentially to the continued existence of life on this planet.
Advantage 3 is Drilling

Cuban drilling in the Eastern Gap is inevitable

Tamayo ’13
(Juan – Writer at The Miami Herald. Past Experience ¶ Andean Bureau Chief at Miami Herald¶ Caribbean Correspondent at Miami Herald¶ Foreign Editor at Miami Herald. Award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience as foreign correspondent and editor with The Miami Herald, focusing on Latin America - especially Cuba - as well as the Middle East and Europe. Proven writer, editor and analyst, with contacts around the world. Miami Herald – Friday, 05.31.13¶ http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/31/3424471/russian-oil-company-suspends.html~~23storylink=cpy)
A Russian state oil company drilling off Cuba’s northern shores has reportedly confirmed that it
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about 20 percent to that island’s exploration costs, according to Cuban officials.

Absent pro-active protocols, spills are inevitable

Bolstad ’12 - Erika Bolstad is a reporter who covers Washington for the Anchorage Daily News, the Idaho Statesman and McClatchy Newspapers. This evidence internally quotes Lee Hunt, the former president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Hunt, in this instance, is arguably not biased in favor of drilling, as he is speaking to safety and clean-up regimes and he is speaking before a liberal think-tank in favor of human rights – McClatchy Newspapers – May 10, 2012 – http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/05/10/148433/cuba-embargo-could-threaten-oil.html~~23.UaoUWpyADq0
The 50-year-old U.S. embargo of Cuba is getting
AND
in advance the kind of technologies that would be required," Reilly said. 

Scientific co-operation is a pre-requisite to protocols necessary to prevent an oil spill

Pinon 26 Muse, 10 - Jorge R. Piñon and Robert L. Muse, columnists for the Brookings Institute ("Coping with the Next Oil Spill: Why U.S.-Cuba Environmental Cooperation is Critical", May 2010, http://www.brookings.edu/~~/media/research/files/papers/2010/5/1820oil20spill20cuba20pinon/0518_oil_spill_cuba_pinon.pdf)
To respond effectively to an oil-related marine accident, any company operating in
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respond to a marine disaster in that country’s waters and on its shores. 

Gulf spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf-http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
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higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion – the brink is now.

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm-http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
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of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
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transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Aquatic biodiversity checks extinction

Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
AND
kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.
Solvency

Cuba will say, "yes" – interest in science co-operation high and Cuban environmental agencies have political influence

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The Cuban government has noted that environmental cooperation can provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement
AND
, despite the presence of a "US Interests" section in Havana.

Government to government co-op is key – sets best bedrock for relations

Boom, 12 - Brian M. Boom is the director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Program and Bassett Maguire Curator of Botany at the New York Botanical Garden ("Biodiversity without Borders", 8/14/12, Science 26 Diplomacy, Vol. 1, No. 3, http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/files/biodiversity-without-borders_science__diplomacy.pdf)**
Nature knows no boundaries, and given the number and scale of environmental problems shared
AND
trust between the two societies that can provide some bedrock for future relations.

The federal government is key to response and overcoming lasting ideological concerns

Ali, 12 - Saleem H. Ali director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, and Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia ("Greening Diplomacy with Cuba", June 16th, 2012, http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/16/greening-diplomacy-with-cuba)**
The White Paper notes: "The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and
AND
to ideological misgivings that have little relevance to the virtues of natural cooperation.

Tournament: Homewood Flossmorr | Round: 1 | Opponent: Niles West CH | Judge: Katie Klante

1AC Plan

Plan: the United States federal government should normalize consular financial transactions toward Cuba.

1AC Banking

The advantage is banking

The state sponsor of terror list is crowding out all Cuban banking accounts—policy change is key.

Adams, 13 – Washington Post columnist ("Cuba sanctions make American banks wary, testing U.S. goal of improved ties", 11/28/13, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/cuba-sanctions-make-american-banks-wary-testing-us-goal-of-improved-ties/2013/11/28/03a62dfe-5847-11e3-ba82-16ed03681809_story.html)**
MIAMI — The decision by a New York bank to close Cuba’s checking account in
AND
. "The question is, Does Cuba belong on the terror list?"

====Brink is now—government has begun to phase out consular services====
Kline, 13 - Buffalo Business First Reporter—Business First ("Cuba receives banking extension from M26T", 12/10/13, http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2013/12/cuba-receives-banking-extension-from-mt.html)**
M26T Bank will continue receiving deposits from Cuban consular services until Feb.
AND
consular services on a regular basis," the organization said in a release.

Scenario one is terror.

Two internal links—first is the Cuban economy—only the plan solves—policies block remittance transactions.

Hayden, 13 - Thomas Emmet Hayden, American social and political activist, author, and politician, who is director of the Peace and Justice Resource Center in Culver City, California. ("Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis, 12/3/13, http://www.thenation.com/article/177436/ending-cuba-travel-crisis)**
There is an opportunity for President Barack Obama to begin rolling back our Cuba sanctions
AND
. The reasons and forces behind the current policy are strong than that.

====Those are key to the Cuban economy.====
Chavez, 13 – Miami Herald ("Remittances from Cubans abroad drive the island’s economy", http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/12/3448098/remittances-from-cubans-abroad.html)**
Cash remittances to Cuba in 2012 surpassed all revenue coming from the main components of
AND
of travel and remittances while easing up religious, cultural and educational exchanges.

Cuban economic decline destroys effective counter-terror policy – makes conflicts in hotspots around the globe more likely.

Gorrell, 5 - Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, paper submitted for the USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT (Tim, "CUBA: THE NEXT UNANTICIPATED ANTICIPATED STRATEGIC CRISIS?" http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA433074  
Regardless of the succession, under the current U.S. policy, Cuba’s
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in an effort to facilitate a manageable transition to post-Castro Cuba?

====Second is relations—plan is necessary for the development of U.S./Cuban relations and resolving terrorism.====
Levy, 13 - University of Denver, lecturer and doctoral candidate, Huffington Post ("The U.S. Cuba Embargo: Making Diplomacy Impossible", 12/11/13, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arturo-lopez-levy/the-us-cuba-embargo-makin_b_4393837.html)**
Just before Thanksgiving, Cuban-American families who had hoped to spend the holidays
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and the long-term effort toward better relations with Cuba be advanced.

Terrorism causes extinction

Goodspeed, 12 (Peter Goodspeed, Senior Reporter of International Affairs at the National Post, "Nuclear terror threat; A ’dirty bomb’ could make cities uninhabitable, destroy global economy", March 24 2012, National Post, Full Comment, http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/03/24/preventing-devastating-nuclear-terrorist-attack-aim-of-world-leaders-meeting/, nikp)
Six months after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks on New York,
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way to use radiological weapons when their only goal is killing innocent people."

State failure magnifies the probability.

Manwaring, 5 – adjunct professor of international politics at Dickinson
(Max G., Retired U.S. Army colonel, Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez
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and their associated problems endanger global security, peace, and prosperity.65

Scenario two is policy coherence

====Now is key for relations—absent banks, diplomatic relations get set back two decades.====
Tamayo, 13 – Miami Herald ("Cuba consular problem in Washington may cause ripples for US diplomats in Havana", 12/6/13, http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/06/3800002/cuba-consular-problem-in-washington.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
Cuban diplomats in Washington have said they will wait for a fix to their banking
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of terrorism. They urged that Havana be taken off the list immediately.

Two impacts:

First is foreign policy credibility—AFF uniquely key.

Hanson, 13 - He has a degree from Santa Clara University in Political Science and Philosophy and Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. ("U.S. Cuba Policy Undermining U.S. Policy on Cuba", 11/27/13, http://www.wola.org/commentary/us_cuba_policy_undermining_us_policy_on_cuba)**
In recent weeks, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have spoken directly
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context, they might help persuade the banks and restart our travel policy. 

Impact is multiple scenarios for global war

Coes ’11 (Ben Coes 11, former speechwriter in the George H.W. Bush administration, managed Mitt Romney’s successful campaign for Massachusetts Governor in 2002 26 author, "The disease of a weak president", The Daily Caller, http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/30/the-disease-of-a-weak-president/)
The disease of a weak president usually begins with the Achilles’ heel all politicians are
AND
one or the other. The status quo is simply not an option.

AFF is a global signal—immediate success generates momentum

Colvin, 08 12/13/2008 (Jake, fellow with the New Ideas Fund, a group that seeks new approaches and paradigms for U.S. national security and foreign policy. He is also Vice President for Global Trade Issues at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and oversees the Cuba initiative of USA*Engage, "The Case for a New Cuba Policy", http://web.archive.org/web/20120904201743/http://www.newideasfund.org/proposals/Colvin20-20Cuba20-20Master.pdf)
A signal to the world Beyond the domestic political benefit of acknowledging a changing Cuban
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have an enormous impact. I think you can do that with  Cuba.?

This spills over to solve global problems

Dickerson 1/14/10 (Sergio, Lt. Col., US Army, Strategy Research Project, "UNITED STATES SECURITY  STRATEGY TOWARDS CUBA", http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf26AD=ADA518053)
Today, 20 years have passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall – it’s
AND
decline in the greater global order bringing  true peace for years to come.

Second is the trade—terror list devastates the Summit of Americas effectiveness.

Strain, 13 ~George Strain – professor at Baton Rouge, "Take Cuba off terror list", April 27 2013, http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/5748256-123/letter-take-cuba-off-terror~~
Most Americans wouldn’t be able to determine what Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan
AND
prevents the United States from taking sensible steps toward normalizing relations with Cuba.

Summit is key to free trade.

IADB, 12 ~Inter-American Development Bank, "First CEO Summit of the Americas calls for greater economic cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations", Apr 14 2012, http://www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2012-04-14/ceo-summit-of-the-americas,9952.html~
CARTAGENA, Colombia – The First CEO Summit of the Americas wrapped up today with
AND
who currently lack access to adequate nutrition, health care and education services.
Snowball protectionism results in extinction
Panzer, 08  Faculty – New York Institute of Finance.  Specializes in Global Capital Markets.  MA Columbia
~Michael J. Panzner,  Financial Armageddon: Protect Your Future from Economic Collapse, Revised and Updated Edition ~Paperback~, p. 137-138~
Continuing calls for curbs on the flow of finance and trade will inspire the United
AND
between Muslims and Western societies as the beginnings of a new world war.

Free trade is the biggest disincentive for war—maintaining globalization solves all their impacts

Griswold, 11 Daniel Griswold is director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute and author of Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization. "Free Trade and the Global Middle Class," Hayek Society Journal Vol. 9 http://www.cato.org/pubs/articles/Hayek-Society-Journal-Griswold.pdf Accessed 6/30/12
 Our more globalized world has also yielded a "peace dividend." It may
AND
and less likely those gains will be destroyed by civil conflict and war.

1AC Solvency

Advantage two is solvency

Obama has executive authority to do the plan—means all of your DA’s are non-unique.

Thale and Anderson, 13 – ~Geoff Thale and Mavis Anderson, "Cuba, the Terrorism Report, and the Terrorist List", Washington Office on Latin America, 5/24/13, http:/www.wola.org/commentary/cuba_the_terrorism_report_and_the_terrorist_list CHB~
Recent news reports indicated that the U.S. State Department would miss the
AND
administration should acknowledge this profound shift by taking Cuba off the terrorist list.

OFAC sanctions deters bank confidence.

Pillar, 13 – Ex-CIA analyst ("How Terror War Hurts Cuba Policy", 12/2/13, http://consortiumnews.com/2013/12/02/how-terror-war-hurts-cuba-policy/)**
Last week the government of Cuba announced that it was ceasing nearly all of the
AND
them off as there is to winding them up and keeping pressure on.

Increased economic engagement is uniquely key.

Piccone, 13 (Joseph, Brookings Institute Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Foreign Policy, Opening to Havana, 1/17/13,  http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/01/opening-to-havana)**
Your second term presents a rare opportunity to turn the page of history from an
AND
pave the way for greater U.S. leadership in the region.

Bank search fails.

Glynn, 13 – Buffalo News Business ("M26T giving Cuba more time to find new bank for diplomatic missions", 12/9/13, http://www.buffalonews.com/business/mt-giving-cuba-more-time-to-find-new-bank-for-diplomatic-missions-20131209)**
"The banks are understandably gun shy about doing business with anybody that might be
AND
via issuance, authentication of documents, and exchanges with the United States.

Tournament: Homewood Flossmoor | Round: 4 | Opponent: Groves OR | Judge: Kim Pressling

1AC Plan

Plan: the United States federal government should normalize consular financial transactions toward Cuba.

1AC Banking

The advantage is banking

The state sponsor of terror list is crowding out all Cuban banking accounts—policy change is key.

Adams, 13 – Washington Post columnist ("Cuba sanctions make American banks wary, testing U.S. goal of improved ties", 11/28/13, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/cuba-sanctions-make-american-banks-wary-testing-us-goal-of-improved-ties/2013/11/28/03a62dfe-5847-11e3-ba82-16ed03681809_story.html)**
MIAMI — The decision by a New York bank to close Cuba’s checking account in
AND
. "The question is, Does Cuba belong on the terror list?"

====Brink is now—government has begun to phase out consular services====
Kline, 13 - Buffalo Business First Reporter—Business First ("Cuba receives banking extension from M26T", 12/10/13, http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2013/12/cuba-receives-banking-extension-from-mt.html)**
M26T Bank will continue receiving deposits from Cuban consular services until Feb.
AND
consular services on a regular basis," the organization said in a release.

Scenario one is terror.

Two internal links—first is the Cuban economy—only the plan solves—policies block remittance transactions.

Hayden, 13 - Thomas Emmet Hayden, American social and political activist, author, and politician, who is director of the Peace and Justice Resource Center in Culver City, California. ("Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis, 12/3/13, http://www.thenation.com/article/177436/ending-cuba-travel-crisis)**
There is an opportunity for President Barack Obama to begin rolling back our Cuba sanctions
AND
. The reasons and forces behind the current policy are strong than that.

====Those are key to the Cuban economy.====
Chavez, 13 – Miami Herald ("Remittances from Cubans abroad drive the island’s economy", http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/12/3448098/remittances-from-cubans-abroad.html)**
Cash remittances to Cuba in 2012 surpassed all revenue coming from the main components of
AND
of travel and remittances while easing up religious, cultural and educational exchanges.

Cuban economic decline destroys effective counter-terror policy – makes conflicts in hotspots around the globe more likely.

Gorrell, 5 - Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, paper submitted for the USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT (Tim, "CUBA: THE NEXT UNANTICIPATED ANTICIPATED STRATEGIC CRISIS?" http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA433074  
Regardless of the succession, under the current U.S. policy, Cuba’s
AND
in an effort to facilitate a manageable transition to post-Castro Cuba?

====Second is relations—plan is necessary for the development of U.S./Cuban relations and resolving terrorism.====
Levy, 13 - University of Denver, lecturer and doctoral candidate, Huffington Post ("The U.S. Cuba Embargo: Making Diplomacy Impossible", 12/11/13, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arturo-lopez-levy/the-us-cuba-embargo-makin_b_4393837.html)**
Just before Thanksgiving, Cuban-American families who had hoped to spend the holidays
AND
and the long-term effort toward better relations with Cuba be advanced.

Terrorism causes extinction

Goodspeed, 12 (Peter Goodspeed, Senior Reporter of International Affairs at the National Post, "Nuclear terror threat; A ’dirty bomb’ could make cities uninhabitable, destroy global economy", March 24 2012, National Post, Full Comment, http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/03/24/preventing-devastating-nuclear-terrorist-attack-aim-of-world-leaders-meeting/, nikp)
Six months after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks on New York,
AND
way to use radiological weapons when their only goal is killing innocent people."

State failure magnifies the probability.

Manwaring, 5 – adjunct professor of international politics at Dickinson
(Max G., Retired U.S. Army colonel, Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez
AND
and their associated problems endanger global security, peace, and prosperity.65

Scenario two is policy coherence

====Now is key for relations—absent banks, diplomatic relations get set back two decades.====
Tamayo, 13 – Miami Herald ("Cuba consular problem in Washington may cause ripples for US diplomats in Havana", 12/6/13, http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/06/3800002/cuba-consular-problem-in-washington.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
Cuban diplomats in Washington have said they will wait for a fix to their banking
AND
of terrorism. They urged that Havana be taken off the list immediately.

Two impacts:

First is foreign policy credibility—AFF uniquely key.

Hanson, 13 - He has a degree from Santa Clara University in Political Science and Philosophy and Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. ("U.S. Cuba Policy Undermining U.S. Policy on Cuba", 11/27/13, http://www.wola.org/commentary/us_cuba_policy_undermining_us_policy_on_cuba)**
In recent weeks, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have spoken directly
AND
context, they might help persuade the banks and restart our travel policy. 

Impact is multiple scenarios for global war

Coes ’11 (Ben Coes 11, former speechwriter in the George H.W. Bush administration, managed Mitt Romney’s successful campaign for Massachusetts Governor in 2002 26 author, "The disease of a weak president", The Daily Caller, http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/30/the-disease-of-a-weak-president/)
The disease of a weak president usually begins with the Achilles’ heel all politicians are
AND
one or the other. The status quo is simply not an option.

AFF is a global signal—immediate success generates momentum

Colvin, 08 12/13/2008 (Jake, fellow with the New Ideas Fund, a group that seeks new approaches and paradigms for U.S. national security and foreign policy. He is also Vice President for Global Trade Issues at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and oversees the Cuba initiative of USA*Engage, "The Case for a New Cuba Policy", http://web.archive.org/web/20120904201743/http://www.newideasfund.org/proposals/Colvin20-20Cuba20-20Master.pdf)
A signal to the world Beyond the domestic political benefit of acknowledging a changing Cuban
AND
have an enormous impact. I think you can do that with  Cuba.?

This spills over to solve global problems

Dickerson 1/14/10 (Sergio, Lt. Col., US Army, Strategy Research Project, "UNITED STATES SECURITY  STRATEGY TOWARDS CUBA", http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf26AD=ADA518053)
Today, 20 years have passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall – it’s
AND
decline in the greater global order bringing  true peace for years to come.

Second is the trade—terror list devastates the Summit of Americas effectiveness.

Strain, 13 ~George Strain – professor at Baton Rouge, "Take Cuba off terror list", April 27 2013, http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/5748256-123/letter-take-cuba-off-terror~~
Most Americans wouldn’t be able to determine what Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan
AND
prevents the United States from taking sensible steps toward normalizing relations with Cuba.

Summit is key to free trade.

IADB, 12 ~Inter-American Development Bank, "First CEO Summit of the Americas calls for greater economic cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations", Apr 14 2012, http://www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2012-04-14/ceo-summit-of-the-americas,9952.html~
CARTAGENA, Colombia – The First CEO Summit of the Americas wrapped up today with
AND
who currently lack access to adequate nutrition, health care and education services.
Snowball protectionism results in extinction
Panzer, 08  Faculty – New York Institute of Finance.  Specializes in Global Capital Markets.  MA Columbia
~Michael J. Panzner,  Financial Armageddon: Protect Your Future from Economic Collapse, Revised and Updated Edition ~Paperback~, p. 137-138~
Continuing calls for curbs on the flow of finance and trade will inspire the United
AND
between Muslims and Western societies as the beginnings of a new world war.

Free trade is the biggest disincentive for war—maintaining globalization solves all their impacts

Griswold, 11 Daniel Griswold is director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute and author of Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization. "Free Trade and the Global Middle Class," Hayek Society Journal Vol. 9 http://www.cato.org/pubs/articles/Hayek-Society-Journal-Griswold.pdf Accessed 6/30/12
 Our more globalized world has also yielded a "peace dividend." It may
AND
and less likely those gains will be destroyed by civil conflict and war.

1AC Solvency

Advantage two is solvency

Obama has executive authority to do the plan—means all of your DA’s are non-unique.

Thale and Anderson, 13 – ~Geoff Thale and Mavis Anderson, "Cuba, the Terrorism Report, and the Terrorist List", Washington Office on Latin America, 5/24/13, http:/www.wola.org/commentary/cuba_the_terrorism_report_and_the_terrorist_list CHB~
Recent news reports indicated that the U.S. State Department would miss the
AND
administration should acknowledge this profound shift by taking Cuba off the terrorist list.

OFAC sanctions deters bank confidence.

Pillar, 13 – Ex-CIA analyst ("How Terror War Hurts Cuba Policy", 12/2/13, http://consortiumnews.com/2013/12/02/how-terror-war-hurts-cuba-policy/)**
Last week the government of Cuba announced that it was ceasing nearly all of the
AND
them off as there is to winding them up and keeping pressure on.

Increased economic engagement is uniquely key.

Piccone, 13 (Joseph, Brookings Institute Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Foreign Policy, Opening to Havana, 1/17/13,  http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/01/opening-to-havana)**
Your second term presents a rare opportunity to turn the page of history from an
AND
pave the way for greater U.S. leadership in the region.

Bank search fails.

Glynn, 13 – Buffalo News Business ("M26T giving Cuba more time to find new bank for diplomatic missions", 12/9/13, http://www.buffalonews.com/business/mt-giving-cuba-more-time-to-find-new-bank-for-diplomatic-missions-20131209)**
"The banks are understandably gun shy about doing business with anybody that might be
AND
via issuance, authentication of documents, and exchanges with the United States.

Tournament: Homewood Flossmoor | Round: 5 | Opponent: Niles West HG | Judge: Wes Fowler

1AC Plan

Plan: the United States federal government should normalize consular financial transactions toward Cuba.

1AC Banking

The advantage is banking

The state sponsor of terror list is crowding out all Cuban banking accounts—policy change is key.

Adams, 13 – Washington Post columnist ("Cuba sanctions make American banks wary, testing U.S. goal of improved ties", 11/28/13, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/cuba-sanctions-make-american-banks-wary-testing-us-goal-of-improved-ties/2013/11/28/03a62dfe-5847-11e3-ba82-16ed03681809_story.html)**
MIAMI — The decision by a New York bank to close Cuba’s checking account in
AND
. "The question is, Does Cuba belong on the terror list?"

====Brink is now—government has begun to phase out consular services====
Kline, 13 - Buffalo Business First Reporter—Business First ("Cuba receives banking extension from M26T", 12/10/13, http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2013/12/cuba-receives-banking-extension-from-mt.html)**
M26T Bank will continue receiving deposits from Cuban consular services until Feb.
AND
consular services on a regular basis," the organization said in a release.

Scenario one is terror.

Two internal links—first is the Cuban economy—only the plan solves—policies block remittance transactions.

Hayden, 13 - Thomas Emmet Hayden, American social and political activist, author, and politician, who is director of the Peace and Justice Resource Center in Culver City, California. ("Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis, 12/3/13, http://www.thenation.com/article/177436/ending-cuba-travel-crisis)**
There is an opportunity for President Barack Obama to begin rolling back our Cuba sanctions
AND
. The reasons and forces behind the current policy are strong than that.

====Those are key to the Cuban economy.====
Chavez, 13 – Miami Herald ("Remittances from Cubans abroad drive the island’s economy", http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/12/3448098/remittances-from-cubans-abroad.html)**
Cash remittances to Cuba in 2012 surpassed all revenue coming from the main components of
AND
of travel and remittances while easing up religious, cultural and educational exchanges.

Cuban economic decline destroys effective counter-terror policy – makes conflicts in hotspots around the globe more likely.

Gorrell, 5 - Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, paper submitted for the USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT (Tim, "CUBA: THE NEXT UNANTICIPATED ANTICIPATED STRATEGIC CRISIS?" http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA433074  
Regardless of the succession, under the current U.S. policy, Cuba’s
AND
in an effort to facilitate a manageable transition to post-Castro Cuba?

====Second is relations—plan is necessary for the development of U.S./Cuban relations and resolving terrorism.====
Levy, 13 - University of Denver, lecturer and doctoral candidate, Huffington Post ("The U.S. Cuba Embargo: Making Diplomacy Impossible", 12/11/13, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arturo-lopez-levy/the-us-cuba-embargo-makin_b_4393837.html)**
Just before Thanksgiving, Cuban-American families who had hoped to spend the holidays
AND
and the long-term effort toward better relations with Cuba be advanced.

Terrorism causes extinction

Goodspeed, 12 (Peter Goodspeed, Senior Reporter of International Affairs at the National Post, "Nuclear terror threat; A ’dirty bomb’ could make cities uninhabitable, destroy global economy", March 24 2012, National Post, Full Comment, http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/03/24/preventing-devastating-nuclear-terrorist-attack-aim-of-world-leaders-meeting/, nikp)
Six months after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks on New York,
AND
way to use radiological weapons when their only goal is killing innocent people."

State failure magnifies the probability.

Manwaring, 5 – adjunct professor of international politics at Dickinson
(Max G., Retired U.S. Army colonel, Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez
AND
and their associated problems endanger global security, peace, and prosperity.65

Scenario two is policy coherence

====Now is key for relations—absent banks, diplomatic relations get set back two decades.====
Tamayo, 13 – Miami Herald ("Cuba consular problem in Washington may cause ripples for US diplomats in Havana", 12/6/13, http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/06/3800002/cuba-consular-problem-in-washington.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
Cuban diplomats in Washington have said they will wait for a fix to their banking
AND
of terrorism. They urged that Havana be taken off the list immediately.

Two impacts:

First is foreign policy credibility—AFF uniquely key.

Hanson, 13 - He has a degree from Santa Clara University in Political Science and Philosophy and Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. ("U.S. Cuba Policy Undermining U.S. Policy on Cuba", 11/27/13, http://www.wola.org/commentary/us_cuba_policy_undermining_us_policy_on_cuba)**
In recent weeks, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have spoken directly
AND
context, they might help persuade the banks and restart our travel policy. 

Impact is multiple scenarios for global war

Coes ’11 (Ben Coes 11, former speechwriter in the George H.W. Bush administration, managed Mitt Romney’s successful campaign for Massachusetts Governor in 2002 26 author, "The disease of a weak president", The Daily Caller, http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/30/the-disease-of-a-weak-president/)
The disease of a weak president usually begins with the Achilles’ heel all politicians are
AND
one or the other. The status quo is simply not an option.

AFF is a global signal—immediate success generates momentum

Colvin, 08 12/13/2008 (Jake, fellow with the New Ideas Fund, a group that seeks new approaches and paradigms for U.S. national security and foreign policy. He is also Vice President for Global Trade Issues at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and oversees the Cuba initiative of USA*Engage, "The Case for a New Cuba Policy", http://web.archive.org/web/20120904201743/http://www.newideasfund.org/proposals/Colvin20-20Cuba20-20Master.pdf)
A signal to the world Beyond the domestic political benefit of acknowledging a changing Cuban
AND
have an enormous impact. I think you can do that with  Cuba.?

This spills over to solve global problems

Dickerson 1/14/10 (Sergio, Lt. Col., US Army, Strategy Research Project, "UNITED STATES SECURITY  STRATEGY TOWARDS CUBA", http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf26AD=ADA518053)
Today, 20 years have passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall – it’s
AND
decline in the greater global order bringing  true peace for years to come.

Second is the trade—terror list devastates the Summit of Americas effectiveness.

Strain, 13 ~George Strain – professor at Baton Rouge, "Take Cuba off terror list", April 27 2013, http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/5748256-123/letter-take-cuba-off-terror~~
Most Americans wouldn’t be able to determine what Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan
AND
prevents the United States from taking sensible steps toward normalizing relations with Cuba.

Summit is key to free trade.

IADB, 12 ~Inter-American Development Bank, "First CEO Summit of the Americas calls for greater economic cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations", Apr 14 2012, http://www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2012-04-14/ceo-summit-of-the-americas,9952.html~
CARTAGENA, Colombia – The First CEO Summit of the Americas wrapped up today with
AND
who currently lack access to adequate nutrition, health care and education services.
Snowball protectionism results in extinction
Panzer, 08  Faculty – New York Institute of Finance.  Specializes in Global Capital Markets.  MA Columbia
~Michael J. Panzner,  Financial Armageddon: Protect Your Future from Economic Collapse, Revised and Updated Edition ~Paperback~, p. 137-138~
Continuing calls for curbs on the flow of finance and trade will inspire the United
AND
between Muslims and Western societies as the beginnings of a new world war.

Free trade is the biggest disincentive for war—maintaining globalization solves all their impacts

Griswold, 11 Daniel Griswold is director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute and author of Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization. "Free Trade and the Global Middle Class," Hayek Society Journal Vol. 9 http://www.cato.org/pubs/articles/Hayek-Society-Journal-Griswold.pdf Accessed 6/30/12
 Our more globalized world has also yielded a "peace dividend." It may
AND
and less likely those gains will be destroyed by civil conflict and war.

1AC Solvency

Advantage two is solvency

Obama has executive authority to do the plan—means all of your DA’s are non-unique.

Thale and Anderson, 13 – ~Geoff Thale and Mavis Anderson, "Cuba, the Terrorism Report, and the Terrorist List", Washington Office on Latin America, 5/24/13, http:/www.wola.org/commentary/cuba_the_terrorism_report_and_the_terrorist_list CHB~
Recent news reports indicated that the U.S. State Department would miss the
AND
administration should acknowledge this profound shift by taking Cuba off the terrorist list.

OFAC sanctions deters bank confidence.

Pillar, 13 – Ex-CIA analyst ("How Terror War Hurts Cuba Policy", 12/2/13, http://consortiumnews.com/2013/12/02/how-terror-war-hurts-cuba-policy/)**
Last week the government of Cuba announced that it was ceasing nearly all of the
AND
them off as there is to winding them up and keeping pressure on.

Increased economic engagement is uniquely key.

Piccone, 13 (Joseph, Brookings Institute Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Foreign Policy, Opening to Havana, 1/17/13,  http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/01/opening-to-havana)**
Your second term presents a rare opportunity to turn the page of history from an
AND
pave the way for greater U.S. leadership in the region.

Bank search fails.

Glynn, 13 – Buffalo News Business ("M26T giving Cuba more time to find new bank for diplomatic missions", 12/9/13, http://www.buffalonews.com/business/mt-giving-cuba-more-time-to-find-new-bank-for-diplomatic-missions-20131209)**
"The banks are understandably gun shy about doing business with anybody that might be
AND
via issuance, authentication of documents, and exchanges with the United States.

Tournament: IDCA JV State | Round: 1 | Opponent: Maine East LP | Judge: Jacob Schoeneman

1AC Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should normalize consular financial transactions toward Cuba.

1AC Banking

The advantage is banking

The state sponsor of terror list is crowding out all Cuban banking accounts—policy change key.

Adams, 13 – Washington Post columnist ("Cuba sanctions make American banks wary, testing U.S. goal of improved ties", 11/28/13, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/cuba-sanctions-make-american-banks-wary-testing-us-goal-of-improved-ties/2013/11/28/03a62dfe-5847-11e3-ba82-16ed03681809_story.html)**
MIAMI — The decision by a New York bank to close Cuba’s checking account in
AND
. "The question is, Does Cuba belong on the terror list?"

====Brink is now—consular services JUST ended-also means all DAs are non-unique====
Kline, 13 - Buffalo Business First Reporter—Business First ("Cuba receives banking extension from M26T", 12/10/13, http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2013/12/cuba-receives-banking-extension-from-mt.html)**
M26T Bank will continue receiving deposits from Cuban consular services until Feb.
AND
consular services on a regular basis," the organization said in a release.

Scenario one is terror.

Two internal links—first is the Cuban economy—only the plan solves—policies block remittance transactions.

Hayden, 13 - Thomas Emmet Hayden, American social and political activist, author, and politician, who is director of the Peace and Justice Resource Center in Culver City, California. ("Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis, 12/3/13, http://www.thenation.com/article/177436/ending-cuba-travel-crisis)**
There is an opportunity for President Barack Obama to begin rolling back our Cuba sanctions
AND
. The reasons and forces behind the current policy are strong than that.

====Those are key to the Cuban economy.====
Chavez, 13 – Miami Herald ("Remittances from Cubans abroad drive the island’s economy", http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/12/3448098/remittances-from-cubans-abroad.html)**
Cash remittances to Cuba in 2012 surpassed all revenue coming from the main components of
AND
of travel and remittances while easing up religious, cultural and educational exchanges.

Cuban economic decline destroys effective counter-terror policy – makes conflicts in hotspots around the globe more likely.

Gorrell, 5 - Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, paper submitted for the USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT (Tim, "CUBA: THE NEXT UNANTICIPATED ANTICIPATED STRATEGIC CRISIS?" http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA433074  
Regardless of the succession, under the current U.S. policy, Cuba’s
AND
in an effort to facilitate a manageable transition to post-Castro Cuba?

====Second is relations—plan is necessary for the development of U.S./Cuban relations and resolving terrorism.====
Levy, 13 - University of Denver, lecturer and doctoral candidate, Huffington Post ("The U.S. Cuba Embargo: Making Diplomacy Impossible", 12/11/13, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arturo-lopez-levy/the-us-cuba-embargo-makin_b_4393837.html)**
Just before Thanksgiving, Cuban-American families who had hoped to spend the holidays
AND
and the long-term effort toward better relations with Cuba be advanced.

Terrorism causes extinction

Goodspeed, 12 (Peter Goodspeed, Senior Reporter of International Affairs at the National Post, "Nuclear terror threat; A ’dirty bomb’ could make cities uninhabitable, destroy global economy", March 24 2012, National Post, Full Comment, http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/03/24/preventing-devastating-nuclear-terrorist-attack-aim-of-world-leaders-meeting/, nikp)
Six months after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks on New York,
AND
way to use radiological weapons when their only goal is killing innocent people."

State failure magnifies the probability.

Manwaring, 5 – adjunct professor of international politics at Dickinson
(Max G., Retired U.S. Army colonel, Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez
AND
and their associated problems endanger global security, peace, and prosperity.65

Scenario two is policy coherence

====Now is key for relations—absent banks, diplomatic relations get set back two decades.====
Tamayo, 13 – Miami Herald ("Cuba consular problem in Washington may cause ripples for US diplomats in Havana", 12/6/13, http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/06/3800002/cuba-consular-problem-in-washington.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
Cuban diplomats in Washington have said they will wait for a fix to their banking
AND
of terrorism. They urged that Havana be taken off the list immediately.

Two impacts:

First is foreign policy credibility—AFF uniquely key.

Hanson, 13 - He has a degree from Santa Clara University in Political Science and Philosophy and Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. ("U.S. Cuba Policy Undermining U.S. Policy on Cuba", 11/27/13, http://www.wola.org/commentary/us_cuba_policy_undermining_us_policy_on_cuba)**
In recent weeks, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have spoken directly
AND
context, they might help persuade the banks and restart our travel policy. 

Impact is multiple scenarios for global war

Coes ’11 (Ben Coes 11, former speechwriter in the George H.W. Bush administration, managed Mitt Romney’s successful campaign for Massachusetts Governor in 2002 26 author, "The disease of a weak president", The Daily Caller, http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/30/the-disease-of-a-weak-president/)
The disease of a weak president usually begins with the Achilles’ heel all politicians are
AND
one or the other. The status quo is simply not an option.

AFF is a global signal—immediate success generates momentum

Colvin, 08 12/13/2008 (Jake, fellow with the New Ideas Fund, a group that seeks new approaches and paradigms for U.S. national security and foreign policy. He is also Vice President for Global Trade Issues at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and oversees the Cuba initiative of USA*Engage, "The Case for a New Cuba Policy", http://web.archive.org/web/20120904201743/http://www.newideasfund.org/proposals/Colvin20-20Cuba20-20Master.pdf)
A signal to the world Beyond the domestic political benefit of acknowledging a changing Cuban
AND
have an enormous impact. I think you can do that with  Cuba.?

This spills over to solve global problems

Dickerson 1/14/10 (Sergio, Lt. Col., US Army, Strategy Research Project, "UNITED STATES SECURITY  STRATEGY TOWARDS CUBA", http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf26AD=ADA518053)
Today, 20 years have passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall – it’s
AND
decline in the greater global order bringing  true peace for years to come.

Second is the trade—terror list devastates the Summit of Americas effectiveness.

Strain, 13 ~George Strain – professor at Baton Rouge, "Take Cuba off terror list", April 27 2013, http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/5748256-123/letter-take-cuba-off-terror~~
Most Americans wouldn’t be able to determine what Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan
AND
prevents the United States from taking sensible steps toward normalizing relations with Cuba.

Summit is key to free trade.

IADB, 12 ~Inter-American Development Bank, "First CEO Summit of the Americas calls for greater economic cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations", Apr 14 2012, http://www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2012-04-14/ceo-summit-of-the-americas,9952.html~
CARTAGENA, Colombia – The First CEO Summit of the Americas wrapped up today with
AND
who currently lack access to adequate nutrition, health care and education services.
Snowball protectionism results in extinction
Panzer, 08  Faculty – New York Institute of Finance.  Specializes in Global Capital Markets.  MA Columbia
~Michael J. Panzner,  Financial Armageddon: Protect Your Future from Economic Collapse, Revised and Updated Edition ~Paperback~, p. 137-138~
Continuing calls for curbs on the flow of finance and trade will inspire the United
AND
between Muslims and Western societies as the beginnings of a new world war.

Free trade is the biggest disincentive for war—maintaining globalization solves all their impacts

Griswold, 11 Daniel Griswold is director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute and author of Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization. "Free Trade and the Global Middle Class," Hayek Society Journal Vol. 9 http://www.cato.org/pubs/articles/Hayek-Society-Journal-Griswold.pdf Accessed 6/30/12
 Our more globalized world has also yielded a "peace dividend." It may
AND
and less likely those gains will be destroyed by civil conflict and war.

1AC Solvency

Advantage two is solvency

Bank search fails.

Glynn, 13 – Buffalo News Business ("M26T giving Cuba more time to find new bank for diplomatic missions", 12/9/13, http://www.buffalonews.com/business/mt-giving-cuba-more-time-to-find-new-bank-for-diplomatic-missions-20131209)**
"The banks are understandably gun shy about doing business with anybody that might be
AND
via issuance, authentication of documents, and exchanges with the United States.

OFAC sanctions deters bank confidence.

Pillar, 13 – Ex-CIA analyst ("How Terror War Hurts Cuba Policy", 12/2/13, http://consortiumnews.com/2013/12/02/how-terror-war-hurts-cuba-policy/)**
Last week the government of Cuba announced that it was ceasing nearly all of the
AND
them off as there is to winding them up and keeping pressure on.

Obama has executive authority to do the plan—means all of your DA’s are non-unique.

Thale and Anderson, 13 – ~Geoff Thale and Mavis Anderson, "Cuba, the Terrorism Report, and the Terrorist List", Washington Office on Latin America, 5/24/13, http:/www.wola.org/commentary/cuba_the_terrorism_report_and_the_terrorist_list CHB~
Recent news reports indicated that the U.S. State Department would miss the
AND
administration should acknowledge this profound shift by taking Cuba off the terrorist list.

Increased economic engagement is uniquely key.

Piccone, 13 (Joseph, Brookings Institute Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Foreign Policy, Opening to Havana, 1/17/13,  http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/01/opening-to-havana)**
Your second term presents a rare opportunity to turn the page of history from an
AND
pave the way for greater U.S. leadership in the region.

Tournament: IDCA JV State | Round: 3 | Opponent: GBS CR | Judge: Elyse Conklin

1AC Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should normalize consular financial transactions toward Cuba.

1AC Banking

The advantage is banking

The state sponsor of terror list is crowding out all Cuban banking accounts—policy change key.

Adams, 13 – Washington Post columnist ("Cuba sanctions make American banks wary, testing U.S. goal of improved ties", 11/28/13, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/cuba-sanctions-make-american-banks-wary-testing-us-goal-of-improved-ties/2013/11/28/03a62dfe-5847-11e3-ba82-16ed03681809_story.html)**
MIAMI — The decision by a New York bank to close Cuba’s checking account in
AND
. "The question is, Does Cuba belong on the terror list?"

====Brink is now—consular services JUST ended-also means all DAs are non-unique====
Kline, 13 - Buffalo Business First Reporter—Business First ("Cuba receives banking extension from M26T", 12/10/13, http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2013/12/cuba-receives-banking-extension-from-mt.html)**
M26T Bank will continue receiving deposits from Cuban consular services until Feb.
AND
consular services on a regular basis," the organization said in a release.

Scenario one is terror.

Two internal links—first is the Cuban economy—only the plan solves—policies block remittance transactions.

Hayden, 13 - Thomas Emmet Hayden, American social and political activist, author, and politician, who is director of the Peace and Justice Resource Center in Culver City, California. ("Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis, 12/3/13, http://www.thenation.com/article/177436/ending-cuba-travel-crisis)**
There is an opportunity for President Barack Obama to begin rolling back our Cuba sanctions
AND
. The reasons and forces behind the current policy are strong than that.

====Those are key to the Cuban economy.====
Chavez, 13 – Miami Herald ("Remittances from Cubans abroad drive the island’s economy", http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/12/3448098/remittances-from-cubans-abroad.html)**
Cash remittances to Cuba in 2012 surpassed all revenue coming from the main components of
AND
of travel and remittances while easing up religious, cultural and educational exchanges.

Cuban economic decline destroys effective counter-terror policy – makes conflicts in hotspots around the globe more likely.

Gorrell, 5 - Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, paper submitted for the USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT (Tim, "CUBA: THE NEXT UNANTICIPATED ANTICIPATED STRATEGIC CRISIS?" http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA433074  
Regardless of the succession, under the current U.S. policy, Cuba’s
AND
in an effort to facilitate a manageable transition to post-Castro Cuba?

====Second is relations—plan is necessary for the development of U.S./Cuban relations and resolving terrorism.====
Levy, 13 - University of Denver, lecturer and doctoral candidate, Huffington Post ("The U.S. Cuba Embargo: Making Diplomacy Impossible", 12/11/13, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arturo-lopez-levy/the-us-cuba-embargo-makin_b_4393837.html)**
Just before Thanksgiving, Cuban-American families who had hoped to spend the holidays
AND
and the long-term effort toward better relations with Cuba be advanced.

Terrorism causes extinction

Goodspeed, 12 (Peter Goodspeed, Senior Reporter of International Affairs at the National Post, "Nuclear terror threat; A ’dirty bomb’ could make cities uninhabitable, destroy global economy", March 24 2012, National Post, Full Comment, http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/03/24/preventing-devastating-nuclear-terrorist-attack-aim-of-world-leaders-meeting/, nikp)
Six months after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks on New York,
AND
way to use radiological weapons when their only goal is killing innocent people."

State failure magnifies the probability.

Manwaring, 5 – adjunct professor of international politics at Dickinson
(Max G., Retired U.S. Army colonel, Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez
AND
and their associated problems endanger global security, peace, and prosperity.65

Scenario two is policy coherence

====Now is key for relations—absent banks, diplomatic relations get set back two decades.====
Tamayo, 13 – Miami Herald ("Cuba consular problem in Washington may cause ripples for US diplomats in Havana", 12/6/13, http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/06/3800002/cuba-consular-problem-in-washington.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
Cuban diplomats in Washington have said they will wait for a fix to their banking
AND
of terrorism. They urged that Havana be taken off the list immediately.

Two impacts:

First is foreign policy credibility—AFF uniquely key.

Hanson, 13 - He has a degree from Santa Clara University in Political Science and Philosophy and Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. ("U.S. Cuba Policy Undermining U.S. Policy on Cuba", 11/27/13, http://www.wola.org/commentary/us_cuba_policy_undermining_us_policy_on_cuba)**
In recent weeks, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have spoken directly
AND
context, they might help persuade the banks and restart our travel policy. 

Impact is multiple scenarios for global war

Coes ’11 (Ben Coes 11, former speechwriter in the George H.W. Bush administration, managed Mitt Romney’s successful campaign for Massachusetts Governor in 2002 26 author, "The disease of a weak president", The Daily Caller, http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/30/the-disease-of-a-weak-president/)
The disease of a weak president usually begins with the Achilles’ heel all politicians are
AND
one or the other. The status quo is simply not an option.

AFF is a global signal—immediate success generates momentum

Colvin, 08 12/13/2008 (Jake, fellow with the New Ideas Fund, a group that seeks new approaches and paradigms for U.S. national security and foreign policy. He is also Vice President for Global Trade Issues at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and oversees the Cuba initiative of USA*Engage, "The Case for a New Cuba Policy", http://web.archive.org/web/20120904201743/http://www.newideasfund.org/proposals/Colvin20-20Cuba20-20Master.pdf)
A signal to the world Beyond the domestic political benefit of acknowledging a changing Cuban
AND
have an enormous impact. I think you can do that with  Cuba.?

This spills over to solve global problems

Dickerson 1/14/10 (Sergio, Lt. Col., US Army, Strategy Research Project, "UNITED STATES SECURITY  STRATEGY TOWARDS CUBA", http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf26AD=ADA518053)
Today, 20 years have passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall – it’s
AND
decline in the greater global order bringing  true peace for years to come.

Second is the trade—terror list devastates the Summit of Americas effectiveness.

Strain, 13 ~George Strain – professor at Baton Rouge, "Take Cuba off terror list", April 27 2013, http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/5748256-123/letter-take-cuba-off-terror~~
Most Americans wouldn’t be able to determine what Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan
AND
prevents the United States from taking sensible steps toward normalizing relations with Cuba.

Summit is key to free trade.

IADB, 12 ~Inter-American Development Bank, "First CEO Summit of the Americas calls for greater economic cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations", Apr 14 2012, http://www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2012-04-14/ceo-summit-of-the-americas,9952.html~
CARTAGENA, Colombia – The First CEO Summit of the Americas wrapped up today with
AND
who currently lack access to adequate nutrition, health care and education services.
Snowball protectionism results in extinction
Panzer, 08  Faculty – New York Institute of Finance.  Specializes in Global Capital Markets.  MA Columbia
~Michael J. Panzner,  Financial Armageddon: Protect Your Future from Economic Collapse, Revised and Updated Edition ~Paperback~, p. 137-138~
Continuing calls for curbs on the flow of finance and trade will inspire the United
AND
between Muslims and Western societies as the beginnings of a new world war.

Free trade is the biggest disincentive for war—maintaining globalization solves all their impacts

Griswold, 11 Daniel Griswold is director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute and author of Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization. "Free Trade and the Global Middle Class," Hayek Society Journal Vol. 9 http://www.cato.org/pubs/articles/Hayek-Society-Journal-Griswold.pdf Accessed 6/30/12
 Our more globalized world has also yielded a "peace dividend." It may
AND
and less likely those gains will be destroyed by civil conflict and war.

1AC Solvency

Advantage two is solvency

Bank search fails.

Glynn, 13 – Buffalo News Business ("M26T giving Cuba more time to find new bank for diplomatic missions", 12/9/13, http://www.buffalonews.com/business/mt-giving-cuba-more-time-to-find-new-bank-for-diplomatic-missions-20131209)**
"The banks are understandably gun shy about doing business with anybody that might be
AND
via issuance, authentication of documents, and exchanges with the United States.

OFAC sanctions deters bank confidence.

Pillar, 13 – Ex-CIA analyst ("How Terror War Hurts Cuba Policy", 12/2/13, http://consortiumnews.com/2013/12/02/how-terror-war-hurts-cuba-policy/)**
Last week the government of Cuba announced that it was ceasing nearly all of the
AND
them off as there is to winding them up and keeping pressure on.

Obama has executive authority to do the plan—means all of your DA’s are non-unique.

Thale and Anderson, 13 – ~Geoff Thale and Mavis Anderson, "Cuba, the Terrorism Report, and the Terrorist List", Washington Office on Latin America, 5/24/13, http:/www.wola.org/commentary/cuba_the_terrorism_report_and_the_terrorist_list CHB~
Recent news reports indicated that the U.S. State Department would miss the
AND
administration should acknowledge this profound shift by taking Cuba off the terrorist list.

Increased economic engagement is uniquely key.

Piccone, 13 (Joseph, Brookings Institute Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Foreign Policy, Opening to Havana, 1/17/13,  http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/01/opening-to-havana)**
Your second term presents a rare opportunity to turn the page of history from an
AND
pave the way for greater U.S. leadership in the region.

Tournament: IDCA JV State | Round: 5 | Opponent: GBN DF | Judge: Ann Peter

1AC Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should normalize consular financial transactions toward Cuba.

1AC Banking

The advantage is banking

The state sponsor of terror list is crowding out all Cuban banking accounts—policy change key.

Adams, 13 – Washington Post columnist ("Cuba sanctions make American banks wary, testing U.S. goal of improved ties", 11/28/13, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/cuba-sanctions-make-american-banks-wary-testing-us-goal-of-improved-ties/2013/11/28/03a62dfe-5847-11e3-ba82-16ed03681809_story.html)**
MIAMI — The decision by a New York bank to close Cuba’s checking account in
AND
. "The question is, Does Cuba belong on the terror list?"

====Brink is now—consular services JUST ended-also means all DAs are non-unique====
Kline, 13 - Buffalo Business First Reporter—Business First ("Cuba receives banking extension from M26T", 12/10/13, http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2013/12/cuba-receives-banking-extension-from-mt.html)**
M26T Bank will continue receiving deposits from Cuban consular services until Feb.
AND
consular services on a regular basis," the organization said in a release.

Scenario one is terror.

Two internal links—first is the Cuban economy—only the plan solves—policies block remittance transactions.

Hayden, 13 - Thomas Emmet Hayden, American social and political activist, author, and politician, who is director of the Peace and Justice Resource Center in Culver City, California. ("Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis, 12/3/13, http://www.thenation.com/article/177436/ending-cuba-travel-crisis)**
There is an opportunity for President Barack Obama to begin rolling back our Cuba sanctions
AND
. The reasons and forces behind the current policy are strong than that.

====Those are key to the Cuban economy.====
Chavez, 13 – Miami Herald ("Remittances from Cubans abroad drive the island’s economy", http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/12/3448098/remittances-from-cubans-abroad.html)**
Cash remittances to Cuba in 2012 surpassed all revenue coming from the main components of
AND
of travel and remittances while easing up religious, cultural and educational exchanges.

Cuban economic decline destroys effective counter-terror policy – makes conflicts in hotspots around the globe more likely.

Gorrell, 5 - Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, paper submitted for the USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT (Tim, "CUBA: THE NEXT UNANTICIPATED ANTICIPATED STRATEGIC CRISIS?" http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA433074  
Regardless of the succession, under the current U.S. policy, Cuba’s
AND
in an effort to facilitate a manageable transition to post-Castro Cuba?

====Second is relations—plan is necessary for the development of U.S./Cuban relations and resolving terrorism.====
Levy, 13 - University of Denver, lecturer and doctoral candidate, Huffington Post ("The U.S. Cuba Embargo: Making Diplomacy Impossible", 12/11/13, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arturo-lopez-levy/the-us-cuba-embargo-makin_b_4393837.html)**
Just before Thanksgiving, Cuban-American families who had hoped to spend the holidays
AND
and the long-term effort toward better relations with Cuba be advanced.

Terrorism causes extinction

Goodspeed, 12 (Peter Goodspeed, Senior Reporter of International Affairs at the National Post, "Nuclear terror threat; A ’dirty bomb’ could make cities uninhabitable, destroy global economy", March 24 2012, National Post, Full Comment, http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/03/24/preventing-devastating-nuclear-terrorist-attack-aim-of-world-leaders-meeting/, nikp)
Six months after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks on New York,
AND
way to use radiological weapons when their only goal is killing innocent people."

State failure magnifies the probability.

Manwaring, 5 – adjunct professor of international politics at Dickinson
(Max G., Retired U.S. Army colonel, Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez
AND
and their associated problems endanger global security, peace, and prosperity.65

Scenario two is policy coherence

====Now is key for relations—absent banks, diplomatic relations get set back two decades.====
Tamayo, 13 – Miami Herald ("Cuba consular problem in Washington may cause ripples for US diplomats in Havana", 12/6/13, http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/06/3800002/cuba-consular-problem-in-washington.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
Cuban diplomats in Washington have said they will wait for a fix to their banking
AND
of terrorism. They urged that Havana be taken off the list immediately.

Two impacts:

First is foreign policy credibility—AFF uniquely key.

Hanson, 13 - He has a degree from Santa Clara University in Political Science and Philosophy and Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. ("U.S. Cuba Policy Undermining U.S. Policy on Cuba", 11/27/13, http://www.wola.org/commentary/us_cuba_policy_undermining_us_policy_on_cuba)**
In recent weeks, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have spoken directly
AND
context, they might help persuade the banks and restart our travel policy. 

Impact is multiple scenarios for global war

Coes ’11 (Ben Coes 11, former speechwriter in the George H.W. Bush administration, managed Mitt Romney’s successful campaign for Massachusetts Governor in 2002 26 author, "The disease of a weak president", The Daily Caller, http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/30/the-disease-of-a-weak-president/)
The disease of a weak president usually begins with the Achilles’ heel all politicians are
AND
one or the other. The status quo is simply not an option.

AFF is a global signal—immediate success generates momentum

Colvin, 08 12/13/2008 (Jake, fellow with the New Ideas Fund, a group that seeks new approaches and paradigms for U.S. national security and foreign policy. He is also Vice President for Global Trade Issues at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and oversees the Cuba initiative of USA*Engage, "The Case for a New Cuba Policy", http://web.archive.org/web/20120904201743/http://www.newideasfund.org/proposals/Colvin20-20Cuba20-20Master.pdf)
A signal to the world Beyond the domestic political benefit of acknowledging a changing Cuban
AND
have an enormous impact. I think you can do that with  Cuba.?

This spills over to solve global problems

Dickerson 1/14/10 (Sergio, Lt. Col., US Army, Strategy Research Project, "UNITED STATES SECURITY  STRATEGY TOWARDS CUBA", http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf26AD=ADA518053)
Today, 20 years have passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall – it’s
AND
decline in the greater global order bringing  true peace for years to come.

Second is the trade—terror list devastates the Summit of Americas effectiveness.

Strain, 13 ~George Strain – professor at Baton Rouge, "Take Cuba off terror list", April 27 2013, http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/5748256-123/letter-take-cuba-off-terror~~
Most Americans wouldn’t be able to determine what Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan
AND
prevents the United States from taking sensible steps toward normalizing relations with Cuba.

Summit is key to free trade.

IADB, 12 ~Inter-American Development Bank, "First CEO Summit of the Americas calls for greater economic cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations", Apr 14 2012, http://www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2012-04-14/ceo-summit-of-the-americas,9952.html~
CARTAGENA, Colombia – The First CEO Summit of the Americas wrapped up today with
AND
who currently lack access to adequate nutrition, health care and education services.
Snowball protectionism results in extinction
Panzer, 08  Faculty – New York Institute of Finance.  Specializes in Global Capital Markets.  MA Columbia
~Michael J. Panzner,  Financial Armageddon: Protect Your Future from Economic Collapse, Revised and Updated Edition ~Paperback~, p. 137-138~
Continuing calls for curbs on the flow of finance and trade will inspire the United
AND
between Muslims and Western societies as the beginnings of a new world war.

Free trade is the biggest disincentive for war—maintaining globalization solves all their impacts

Griswold, 11 Daniel Griswold is director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute and author of Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization. "Free Trade and the Global Middle Class," Hayek Society Journal Vol. 9 http://www.cato.org/pubs/articles/Hayek-Society-Journal-Griswold.pdf Accessed 6/30/12
 Our more globalized world has also yielded a "peace dividend." It may
AND
and less likely those gains will be destroyed by civil conflict and war.

1AC Solvency

Advantage two is solvency

Bank search fails.

Glynn, 13 – Buffalo News Business ("M26T giving Cuba more time to find new bank for diplomatic missions", 12/9/13, http://www.buffalonews.com/business/mt-giving-cuba-more-time-to-find-new-bank-for-diplomatic-missions-20131209)**
"The banks are understandably gun shy about doing business with anybody that might be
AND
via issuance, authentication of documents, and exchanges with the United States.

OFAC sanctions deters bank confidence.

Pillar, 13 – Ex-CIA analyst ("How Terror War Hurts Cuba Policy", 12/2/13, http://consortiumnews.com/2013/12/02/how-terror-war-hurts-cuba-policy/)**
Last week the government of Cuba announced that it was ceasing nearly all of the
AND
them off as there is to winding them up and keeping pressure on.

Obama has executive authority to do the plan—means all of your DA’s are non-unique.

Thale and Anderson, 13 – ~Geoff Thale and Mavis Anderson, "Cuba, the Terrorism Report, and the Terrorist List", Washington Office on Latin America, 5/24/13, http:/www.wola.org/commentary/cuba_the_terrorism_report_and_the_terrorist_list CHB~
Recent news reports indicated that the U.S. State Department would miss the
AND
administration should acknowledge this profound shift by taking Cuba off the terrorist list.

Increased economic engagement is uniquely key.

Piccone, 13 (Joseph, Brookings Institute Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Foreign Policy, Opening to Havana, 1/17/13,  http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/01/opening-to-havana)**
Your second term presents a rare opportunity to turn the page of history from an
AND
pave the way for greater U.S. leadership in the region.

Tournament: IHSA State | Round: 2 | Opponent: Evanston GT | Judge: JVoss, Adam Fine

1AC Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should normalize consular financial transactions toward Cuba.

1AC Banking

The advantage is banking

The state sponsor of terror list is crowding out all Cuban banking accounts—policy change key.

Adams, 13 – Washington Post columnist ("Cuba sanctions make American banks wary, testing U.S. goal of improved ties", 11/28/13, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/cuba-sanctions-make-american-banks-wary-testing-us-goal-of-improved-ties/2013/11/28/03a62dfe-5847-11e3-ba82-16ed03681809_story.html)**
MIAMI — The decision by a New York bank to close Cuba’s checking account in
AND
. "The question is, Does Cuba belong on the terror list?"

====Brink is now—consular services JUST ended-also means all DAs are non-unique====
Kline, 13 - Buffalo Business First Reporter—Business First ("Cuba receives banking extension from M26T", 12/10/13, http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2013/12/cuba-receives-banking-extension-from-mt.html)**
M26T Bank will continue receiving deposits from Cuban consular services until Feb.
AND
consular services on a regular basis," the organization said in a release.

Scenario one is terror.

Two internal links—first is the Cuban economy—only the plan solves—policies block remittance transactions.

Hayden, 13 - Thomas Emmet Hayden, American social and political activist, author, and politician, who is director of the Peace and Justice Resource Center in Culver City, California. ("Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis, 12/3/13, http://www.thenation.com/article/177436/ending-cuba-travel-crisis)**
There is an opportunity for President Barack Obama to begin rolling back our Cuba sanctions
AND
. The reasons and forces behind the current policy are strong than that.

====Those are key to the Cuban economy.====
Chavez, 13 – Miami Herald ("Remittances from Cubans abroad drive the island’s economy", http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/12/3448098/remittances-from-cubans-abroad.html)**
Cash remittances to Cuba in 2012 surpassed all revenue coming from the main components of
AND
of travel and remittances while easing up religious, cultural and educational exchanges.

Cuban economic decline destroys effective counter-terror policy – makes conflicts in hotspots around the globe more likely.

Gorrell, 5 - Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, paper submitted for the USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT (Tim, "CUBA: THE NEXT UNANTICIPATED ANTICIPATED STRATEGIC CRISIS?" http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA433074  
Regardless of the succession, under the current U.S. policy, Cuba’s
AND
in an effort to facilitate a manageable transition to post-Castro Cuba?

====Second is relations—plan is necessary for the development of U.S./Cuban relations and resolving terrorism.====
Levy, 13 - University of Denver, lecturer and doctoral candidate, Huffington Post ("The U.S. Cuba Embargo: Making Diplomacy Impossible", 12/11/13, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arturo-lopez-levy/the-us-cuba-embargo-makin_b_4393837.html)**
Just before Thanksgiving, Cuban-American families who had hoped to spend the holidays
AND
and the long-term effort toward better relations with Cuba be advanced.

Terrorism causes extinction

Goodspeed, 12 (Peter Goodspeed, Senior Reporter of International Affairs at the National Post, "Nuclear terror threat; A ’dirty bomb’ could make cities uninhabitable, destroy global economy", March 24 2012, National Post, Full Comment, http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/03/24/preventing-devastating-nuclear-terrorist-attack-aim-of-world-leaders-meeting/, nikp)
Six months after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks on New York,
AND
way to use radiological weapons when their only goal is killing innocent people."

State failure magnifies the probability.

Manwaring, 5 – adjunct professor of international politics at Dickinson
(Max G., Retired U.S. Army colonel, Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez
AND
and their associated problems endanger global security, peace, and prosperity.65

Scenario two is policy coherence

====Now is key for relations—absent banks, diplomatic relations get set back two decades.====
Tamayo, 13 – Miami Herald ("Cuba consular problem in Washington may cause ripples for US diplomats in Havana", 12/6/13, http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/06/3800002/cuba-consular-problem-in-washington.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
Cuban diplomats in Washington have said they will wait for a fix to their banking
AND
of terrorism. They urged that Havana be taken off the list immediately.

Two impacts:

First is foreign policy credibility—AFF uniquely key.

Hanson, 13 - He has a degree from Santa Clara University in Political Science and Philosophy and Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. ("U.S. Cuba Policy Undermining U.S. Policy on Cuba", 11/27/13, http://www.wola.org/commentary/us_cuba_policy_undermining_us_policy_on_cuba)**
In recent weeks, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have spoken directly
AND
context, they might help persuade the banks and restart our travel policy. 

Impact is multiple scenarios for global war

Coes ’11 (Ben Coes 11, former speechwriter in the George H.W. Bush administration, managed Mitt Romney’s successful campaign for Massachusetts Governor in 2002 26 author, "The disease of a weak president", The Daily Caller, http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/30/the-disease-of-a-weak-president/)
The disease of a weak president usually begins with the Achilles’ heel all politicians are
AND
one or the other. The status quo is simply not an option.

AFF is a global signal—immediate success generates momentum

Colvin, 08 12/13/2008 (Jake, fellow with the New Ideas Fund, a group that seeks new approaches and paradigms for U.S. national security and foreign policy. He is also Vice President for Global Trade Issues at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and oversees the Cuba initiative of USA*Engage, "The Case for a New Cuba Policy", http://web.archive.org/web/20120904201743/http://www.newideasfund.org/proposals/Colvin20-20Cuba20-20Master.pdf)
A signal to the world Beyond the domestic political benefit of acknowledging a changing Cuban
AND
have an enormous impact. I think you can do that with  Cuba.?

This spills over to solve global problems

Dickerson 1/14/10 (Sergio, Lt. Col., US Army, Strategy Research Project, "UNITED STATES SECURITY  STRATEGY TOWARDS CUBA", http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf26AD=ADA518053)
Today, 20 years have passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall – it’s
AND
decline in the greater global order bringing  true peace for years to come.

Second is the trade—terror list devastates the Summit of Americas effectiveness.

Strain, 13 ~George Strain – professor at Baton Rouge, "Take Cuba off terror list", April 27 2013, http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/5748256-123/letter-take-cuba-off-terror~~
Most Americans wouldn’t be able to determine what Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan
AND
prevents the United States from taking sensible steps toward normalizing relations with Cuba.

Summit is key to free trade.

IADB, 12 ~Inter-American Development Bank, "First CEO Summit of the Americas calls for greater economic cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations", Apr 14 2012, http://www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2012-04-14/ceo-summit-of-the-americas,9952.html~
CARTAGENA, Colombia – The First CEO Summit of the Americas wrapped up today with
AND
who currently lack access to adequate nutrition, health care and education services.
Snowball protectionism results in extinction
Panzer, 08  Faculty – New York Institute of Finance.  Specializes in Global Capital Markets.  MA Columbia
~Michael J. Panzner,  Financial Armageddon: Protect Your Future from Economic Collapse, Revised and Updated Edition ~Paperback~, p. 137-138~
Continuing calls for curbs on the flow of finance and trade will inspire the United
AND
between Muslims and Western societies as the beginnings of a new world war.

Free trade is the biggest disincentive for war—maintaining globalization solves all their impacts

Griswold, 11 Daniel Griswold is director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute and author of Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization. "Free Trade and the Global Middle Class," Hayek Society Journal Vol. 9 http://www.cato.org/pubs/articles/Hayek-Society-Journal-Griswold.pdf Accessed 6/30/12
 Our more globalized world has also yielded a "peace dividend." It may
AND
and less likely those gains will be destroyed by civil conflict and war.

1AC Solvency

Advantage two is solvency

Bank search fails.

Glynn, 13 – Buffalo News Business ("M26T giving Cuba more time to find new bank for diplomatic missions", 12/9/13, http://www.buffalonews.com/business/mt-giving-cuba-more-time-to-find-new-bank-for-diplomatic-missions-20131209)**
"The banks are understandably gun shy about doing business with anybody that might be
AND
via issuance, authentication of documents, and exchanges with the United States.

OFAC sanctions deters bank confidence.

Pillar, 13 – Ex-CIA analyst ("How Terror War Hurts Cuba Policy", 12/2/13, http://consortiumnews.com/2013/12/02/how-terror-war-hurts-cuba-policy/)**
Last week the government of Cuba announced that it was ceasing nearly all of the
AND
them off as there is to winding them up and keeping pressure on.

Obama has executive authority to do the plan—means all of your DA’s are non-unique.

Thale and Anderson, 13 – ~Geoff Thale and Mavis Anderson, "Cuba, the Terrorism Report, and the Terrorist List", Washington Office on Latin America, 5/24/13, http:/www.wola.org/commentary/cuba_the_terrorism_report_and_the_terrorist_list CHB~
Recent news reports indicated that the U.S. State Department would miss the
AND
administration should acknowledge this profound shift by taking Cuba off the terrorist list.

Increased economic engagement is uniquely key.

Piccone, 13 (Joseph, Brookings Institute Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Foreign Policy, Opening to Havana, 1/17/13,  http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/01/opening-to-havana)**
Your second term presents a rare opportunity to turn the page of history from an
AND
pave the way for greater U.S. leadership in the region.

Tournament: IHSA State | Round: 3 | Opponent: Niles West IT | Judge: Elyse Conklin, Ben Hamburger

1AC Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should normalize consular financial transactions toward Cuba.

1AC Banking

The advantage is banking

The state sponsor of terror list is crowding out all Cuban banking accounts—policy change key.

Adams, 13 – Washington Post columnist ("Cuba sanctions make American banks wary, testing U.S. goal of improved ties", 11/28/13, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/cuba-sanctions-make-american-banks-wary-testing-us-goal-of-improved-ties/2013/11/28/03a62dfe-5847-11e3-ba82-16ed03681809_story.html)**
MIAMI — The decision by a New York bank to close Cuba’s checking account in
AND
. "The question is, Does Cuba belong on the terror list?"

====Brink is now—consular services JUST ended-also means all DAs are non-unique====
Kline, 13 - Buffalo Business First Reporter—Business First ("Cuba receives banking extension from M26T", 12/10/13, http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2013/12/cuba-receives-banking-extension-from-mt.html)**
M26T Bank will continue receiving deposits from Cuban consular services until Feb.
AND
consular services on a regular basis," the organization said in a release.

Scenario one is terror.

Two internal links—first is the Cuban economy—only the plan solves—policies block remittance transactions.

Hayden, 13 - Thomas Emmet Hayden, American social and political activist, author, and politician, who is director of the Peace and Justice Resource Center in Culver City, California. ("Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis, 12/3/13, http://www.thenation.com/article/177436/ending-cuba-travel-crisis)**
There is an opportunity for President Barack Obama to begin rolling back our Cuba sanctions
AND
. The reasons and forces behind the current policy are strong than that.

====Those are key to the Cuban economy.====
Chavez, 13 – Miami Herald ("Remittances from Cubans abroad drive the island’s economy", http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/12/3448098/remittances-from-cubans-abroad.html)**
Cash remittances to Cuba in 2012 surpassed all revenue coming from the main components of
AND
of travel and remittances while easing up religious, cultural and educational exchanges.

Cuban economic decline destroys effective counter-terror policy – makes conflicts in hotspots around the globe more likely.

Gorrell, 5 - Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, paper submitted for the USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT (Tim, "CUBA: THE NEXT UNANTICIPATED ANTICIPATED STRATEGIC CRISIS?" http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA433074  
Regardless of the succession, under the current U.S. policy, Cuba’s
AND
in an effort to facilitate a manageable transition to post-Castro Cuba?

====Second is relations—plan is necessary for the development of U.S./Cuban relations and resolving terrorism.====
Levy, 13 - University of Denver, lecturer and doctoral candidate, Huffington Post ("The U.S. Cuba Embargo: Making Diplomacy Impossible", 12/11/13, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arturo-lopez-levy/the-us-cuba-embargo-makin_b_4393837.html)**
Just before Thanksgiving, Cuban-American families who had hoped to spend the holidays
AND
and the long-term effort toward better relations with Cuba be advanced.

Terrorism causes extinction

Goodspeed, 12 (Peter Goodspeed, Senior Reporter of International Affairs at the National Post, "Nuclear terror threat; A ’dirty bomb’ could make cities uninhabitable, destroy global economy", March 24 2012, National Post, Full Comment, http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/03/24/preventing-devastating-nuclear-terrorist-attack-aim-of-world-leaders-meeting/, nikp)
Six months after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks on New York,
AND
way to use radiological weapons when their only goal is killing innocent people."

State failure magnifies the probability.

Manwaring, 5 – adjunct professor of international politics at Dickinson
(Max G., Retired U.S. Army colonel, Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez
AND
and their associated problems endanger global security, peace, and prosperity.65

Scenario two is policy coherence

====Now is key for relations—absent banks, diplomatic relations get set back two decades.====
Tamayo, 13 – Miami Herald ("Cuba consular problem in Washington may cause ripples for US diplomats in Havana", 12/6/13, http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/06/3800002/cuba-consular-problem-in-washington.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
Cuban diplomats in Washington have said they will wait for a fix to their banking
AND
of terrorism. They urged that Havana be taken off the list immediately.

Two impacts:

First is foreign policy credibility—AFF uniquely key.

Hanson, 13 - He has a degree from Santa Clara University in Political Science and Philosophy and Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. ("U.S. Cuba Policy Undermining U.S. Policy on Cuba", 11/27/13, http://www.wola.org/commentary/us_cuba_policy_undermining_us_policy_on_cuba)**
In recent weeks, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have spoken directly
AND
context, they might help persuade the banks and restart our travel policy. 

Impact is multiple scenarios for global war

Coes ’11 (Ben Coes 11, former speechwriter in the George H.W. Bush administration, managed Mitt Romney’s successful campaign for Massachusetts Governor in 2002 26 author, "The disease of a weak president", The Daily Caller, http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/30/the-disease-of-a-weak-president/)
The disease of a weak president usually begins with the Achilles’ heel all politicians are
AND
one or the other. The status quo is simply not an option.

AFF is a global signal—immediate success generates momentum

Colvin, 08 12/13/2008 (Jake, fellow with the New Ideas Fund, a group that seeks new approaches and paradigms for U.S. national security and foreign policy. He is also Vice President for Global Trade Issues at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and oversees the Cuba initiative of USA*Engage, "The Case for a New Cuba Policy", http://web.archive.org/web/20120904201743/http://www.newideasfund.org/proposals/Colvin20-20Cuba20-20Master.pdf)
A signal to the world Beyond the domestic political benefit of acknowledging a changing Cuban
AND
have an enormous impact. I think you can do that with  Cuba.?

This spills over to solve global problems

Dickerson 1/14/10 (Sergio, Lt. Col., US Army, Strategy Research Project, "UNITED STATES SECURITY  STRATEGY TOWARDS CUBA", http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf26AD=ADA518053)
Today, 20 years have passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall – it’s
AND
decline in the greater global order bringing  true peace for years to come.

Second is the trade—terror list devastates the Summit of Americas effectiveness.

Strain, 13 ~George Strain – professor at Baton Rouge, "Take Cuba off terror list", April 27 2013, http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/5748256-123/letter-take-cuba-off-terror~~
Most Americans wouldn’t be able to determine what Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan
AND
prevents the United States from taking sensible steps toward normalizing relations with Cuba.

Summit is key to free trade.

IADB, 12 ~Inter-American Development Bank, "First CEO Summit of the Americas calls for greater economic cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations", Apr 14 2012, http://www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2012-04-14/ceo-summit-of-the-americas,9952.html~
CARTAGENA, Colombia – The First CEO Summit of the Americas wrapped up today with
AND
who currently lack access to adequate nutrition, health care and education services.
Snowball protectionism results in extinction
Panzer, 08  Faculty – New York Institute of Finance.  Specializes in Global Capital Markets.  MA Columbia
~Michael J. Panzner,  Financial Armageddon: Protect Your Future from Economic Collapse, Revised and Updated Edition ~Paperback~, p. 137-138~
Continuing calls for curbs on the flow of finance and trade will inspire the United
AND
between Muslims and Western societies as the beginnings of a new world war.

Free trade is the biggest disincentive for war—maintaining globalization solves all their impacts

Griswold, 11 Daniel Griswold is director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute and author of Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization. "Free Trade and the Global Middle Class," Hayek Society Journal Vol. 9 http://www.cato.org/pubs/articles/Hayek-Society-Journal-Griswold.pdf Accessed 6/30/12
 Our more globalized world has also yielded a "peace dividend." It may
AND
and less likely those gains will be destroyed by civil conflict and war.

1AC Solvency

Advantage two is solvency

Bank search fails.

Glynn, 13 – Buffalo News Business ("M26T giving Cuba more time to find new bank for diplomatic missions", 12/9/13, http://www.buffalonews.com/business/mt-giving-cuba-more-time-to-find-new-bank-for-diplomatic-missions-20131209)**
"The banks are understandably gun shy about doing business with anybody that might be
AND
via issuance, authentication of documents, and exchanges with the United States.

OFAC sanctions deters bank confidence.

Pillar, 13 – Ex-CIA analyst ("How Terror War Hurts Cuba Policy", 12/2/13, http://consortiumnews.com/2013/12/02/how-terror-war-hurts-cuba-policy/)**
Last week the government of Cuba announced that it was ceasing nearly all of the
AND
them off as there is to winding them up and keeping pressure on.

Obama has executive authority to do the plan—means all of your DA’s are non-unique.

Thale and Anderson, 13 – ~Geoff Thale and Mavis Anderson, "Cuba, the Terrorism Report, and the Terrorist List", Washington Office on Latin America, 5/24/13, http:/www.wola.org/commentary/cuba_the_terrorism_report_and_the_terrorist_list CHB~
Recent news reports indicated that the U.S. State Department would miss the
AND
administration should acknowledge this profound shift by taking Cuba off the terrorist list.

Increased economic engagement is uniquely key.

Piccone, 13 (Joseph, Brookings Institute Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Foreign Policy, Opening to Havana, 1/17/13,  http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/01/opening-to-havana)**
Your second term presents a rare opportunity to turn the page of history from an
AND
pave the way for greater U.S. leadership in the region.

Tournament: IHSA State | Round: 5 | Opponent: OPRF GK | Judge: OHara, Henderson

1AC Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should normalize consular financial transactions toward Cuba.

1AC Banking

The advantage is banking

The state sponsor of terror list is crowding out all Cuban banking accounts—policy change key.

Adams, 13 – Washington Post columnist ("Cuba sanctions make American banks wary, testing U.S. goal of improved ties", 11/28/13, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/cuba-sanctions-make-american-banks-wary-testing-us-goal-of-improved-ties/2013/11/28/03a62dfe-5847-11e3-ba82-16ed03681809_story.html)**
MIAMI — The decision by a New York bank to close Cuba’s checking account in
AND
. "The question is, Does Cuba belong on the terror list?"

====Brink is now—consular services JUST ended-also means all DAs are non-unique====
Kline, 13 - Buffalo Business First Reporter—Business First ("Cuba receives banking extension from M26T", 12/10/13, http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2013/12/cuba-receives-banking-extension-from-mt.html)**
M26T Bank will continue receiving deposits from Cuban consular services until Feb.
AND
consular services on a regular basis," the organization said in a release.

Scenario one is terror.

Two internal links—first is the Cuban economy—only the plan solves—policies block remittance transactions.

Hayden, 13 - Thomas Emmet Hayden, American social and political activist, author, and politician, who is director of the Peace and Justice Resource Center in Culver City, California. ("Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis, 12/3/13, http://www.thenation.com/article/177436/ending-cuba-travel-crisis)**
There is an opportunity for President Barack Obama to begin rolling back our Cuba sanctions
AND
. The reasons and forces behind the current policy are strong than that.

====Those are key to the Cuban economy.====
Chavez, 13 – Miami Herald ("Remittances from Cubans abroad drive the island’s economy", http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/12/3448098/remittances-from-cubans-abroad.html)**
Cash remittances to Cuba in 2012 surpassed all revenue coming from the main components of
AND
of travel and remittances while easing up religious, cultural and educational exchanges.

Cuban economic decline destroys effective counter-terror policy – makes conflicts in hotspots around the globe more likely.

Gorrell, 5 - Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, paper submitted for the USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT (Tim, "CUBA: THE NEXT UNANTICIPATED ANTICIPATED STRATEGIC CRISIS?" http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA433074  
Regardless of the succession, under the current U.S. policy, Cuba’s
AND
in an effort to facilitate a manageable transition to post-Castro Cuba?

====Second is relations—plan is necessary for the development of U.S./Cuban relations and resolving terrorism.====
Levy, 13 - University of Denver, lecturer and doctoral candidate, Huffington Post ("The U.S. Cuba Embargo: Making Diplomacy Impossible", 12/11/13, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arturo-lopez-levy/the-us-cuba-embargo-makin_b_4393837.html)**
Just before Thanksgiving, Cuban-American families who had hoped to spend the holidays
AND
and the long-term effort toward better relations with Cuba be advanced.

Terrorism causes extinction

Goodspeed, 12 (Peter Goodspeed, Senior Reporter of International Affairs at the National Post, "Nuclear terror threat; A ’dirty bomb’ could make cities uninhabitable, destroy global economy", March 24 2012, National Post, Full Comment, http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/03/24/preventing-devastating-nuclear-terrorist-attack-aim-of-world-leaders-meeting/, nikp)
Six months after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks on New York,
AND
way to use radiological weapons when their only goal is killing innocent people."

State failure magnifies the probability.

Manwaring, 5 – adjunct professor of international politics at Dickinson
(Max G., Retired U.S. Army colonel, Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez
AND
and their associated problems endanger global security, peace, and prosperity.65

Scenario two is policy coherence

====Now is key for relations—absent banks, diplomatic relations get set back two decades.====
Tamayo, 13 – Miami Herald ("Cuba consular problem in Washington may cause ripples for US diplomats in Havana", 12/6/13, http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/06/3800002/cuba-consular-problem-in-washington.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
Cuban diplomats in Washington have said they will wait for a fix to their banking
AND
of terrorism. They urged that Havana be taken off the list immediately.

Two impacts:

First is foreign policy credibility—AFF uniquely key.

Hanson, 13 - He has a degree from Santa Clara University in Political Science and Philosophy and Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. ("U.S. Cuba Policy Undermining U.S. Policy on Cuba", 11/27/13, http://www.wola.org/commentary/us_cuba_policy_undermining_us_policy_on_cuba)**
In recent weeks, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have spoken directly
AND
context, they might help persuade the banks and restart our travel policy. 

Impact is multiple scenarios for global war

Coes ’11 (Ben Coes 11, former speechwriter in the George H.W. Bush administration, managed Mitt Romney’s successful campaign for Massachusetts Governor in 2002 26 author, "The disease of a weak president", The Daily Caller, http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/30/the-disease-of-a-weak-president/)
The disease of a weak president usually begins with the Achilles’ heel all politicians are
AND
one or the other. The status quo is simply not an option.

AFF is a global signal—immediate success generates momentum

Colvin, 08 12/13/2008 (Jake, fellow with the New Ideas Fund, a group that seeks new approaches and paradigms for U.S. national security and foreign policy. He is also Vice President for Global Trade Issues at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and oversees the Cuba initiative of USA*Engage, "The Case for a New Cuba Policy", http://web.archive.org/web/20120904201743/http://www.newideasfund.org/proposals/Colvin20-20Cuba20-20Master.pdf)
A signal to the world Beyond the domestic political benefit of acknowledging a changing Cuban
AND
have an enormous impact. I think you can do that with  Cuba.?

This spills over to solve global problems

Dickerson 1/14/10 (Sergio, Lt. Col., US Army, Strategy Research Project, "UNITED STATES SECURITY  STRATEGY TOWARDS CUBA", http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U226doc=GetTRDoc.pdf26AD=ADA518053)
Today, 20 years have passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall – it’s
AND
decline in the greater global order bringing  true peace for years to come.

Second is the trade—terror list devastates the Summit of Americas effectiveness.

Strain, 13 ~George Strain – professor at Baton Rouge, "Take Cuba off terror list", April 27 2013, http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/5748256-123/letter-take-cuba-off-terror~~
Most Americans wouldn’t be able to determine what Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan
AND
prevents the United States from taking sensible steps toward normalizing relations with Cuba.

Summit is key to free trade.

IADB, 12 ~Inter-American Development Bank, "First CEO Summit of the Americas calls for greater economic cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations", Apr 14 2012, http://www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2012-04-14/ceo-summit-of-the-americas,9952.html~
CARTAGENA, Colombia – The First CEO Summit of the Americas wrapped up today with
AND
who currently lack access to adequate nutrition, health care and education services.
Snowball protectionism results in extinction
Panzer, 08  Faculty – New York Institute of Finance.  Specializes in Global Capital Markets.  MA Columbia
~Michael J. Panzner,  Financial Armageddon: Protect Your Future from Economic Collapse, Revised and Updated Edition ~Paperback~, p. 137-138~
Continuing calls for curbs on the flow of finance and trade will inspire the United
AND
between Muslims and Western societies as the beginnings of a new world war.

Free trade is the biggest disincentive for war—maintaining globalization solves all their impacts

Griswold, 11 Daniel Griswold is director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute and author of Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization. "Free Trade and the Global Middle Class," Hayek Society Journal Vol. 9 http://www.cato.org/pubs/articles/Hayek-Society-Journal-Griswold.pdf Accessed 6/30/12
 Our more globalized world has also yielded a "peace dividend." It may
AND
and less likely those gains will be destroyed by civil conflict and war.

1AC Solvency

Advantage two is solvency

Bank search fails.

Glynn, 13 – Buffalo News Business ("M26T giving Cuba more time to find new bank for diplomatic missions", 12/9/13, http://www.buffalonews.com/business/mt-giving-cuba-more-time-to-find-new-bank-for-diplomatic-missions-20131209)**
"The banks are understandably gun shy about doing business with anybody that might be
AND
via issuance, authentication of documents, and exchanges with the United States.

OFAC sanctions deters bank confidence.

Pillar, 13 – Ex-CIA analyst ("How Terror War Hurts Cuba Policy", 12/2/13, http://consortiumnews.com/2013/12/02/how-terror-war-hurts-cuba-policy/)**
Last week the government of Cuba announced that it was ceasing nearly all of the
AND
them off as there is to winding them up and keeping pressure on.

Obama has executive authority to do the plan—means all of your DA’s are non-unique.

Thale and Anderson, 13 – ~Geoff Thale and Mavis Anderson, "Cuba, the Terrorism Report, and the Terrorist List", Washington Office on Latin America, 5/24/13, http:/www.wola.org/commentary/cuba_the_terrorism_report_and_the_terrorist_list CHB~
Recent news reports indicated that the U.S. State Department would miss the
AND
administration should acknowledge this profound shift by taking Cuba off the terrorist list.

Increased economic engagement is uniquely key.

Piccone, 13 (Joseph, Brookings Institute Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Foreign Policy, Opening to Havana, 1/17/13,  http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/01/opening-to-havana)**
Your second term presents a rare opportunity to turn the page of history from an
AND
pave the way for greater U.S. leadership in the region.

Tournament: Maine East | Round: 1 | Opponent: Niles North BG | Judge: Chris Coleman

1AC

Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should pass the Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreement

China

Advantage 1 is China

====China is increasing their reliance on Middle East oil – plan checks Chinese oil expansion ====
González, 12 – UCB, columnist for the WSJ ("Expanded Oil Drilling Helps U.S.Wean Itself From Mideast", June 27th, 2012, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304441404577480952719124264.html)**
HOUSTON—America will halve its reliance on Middle East oil by the end of
AND
Russia’s economy is "a colossal challenge," said economy minister Andrei Belousov.

====China can’t develop any themselves – they have to import====
Cockerham, 13 – Columnist for McClatchy ("Iraqi oil: Once seen as U.S. boon, now it’s mostly China’s", 3/27/13, http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/03/27/187100/iraqi-oil-once-seen-as-us-boon.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
WASHINGTON — Ten years after the United States invaded and occupied Iraq, the country’s
AND
-owned oil company PetroChina lacking the technological sophistication needed for deepwater production.

====Sino-U.S. competition growing now – import dependence in the Middle East makes Chinese power projection likely====
Kemp, 12 - John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst ("COLUMN-China’s growing strategic stake in the Middle East: Kemp", March 2nd 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/02/column-china-middle-east-oil-idUSL5E8E229T20120302)**
(Reuters) - China’s growing demand for imported oil, coupled with the development
AND
in the region is not an aberration but the start of a trend. 

====Competition is zero-sum – there is a direct trade-off====
MNI, 13 - MNI is the leading provider of news and intelligence specifically for the Global Foreign Exchange and Fixed Income Markets ("Experts: Increased US Shale Oil 26 Gas To Ease Rivalry W/ China", June 12th, 2013, https://mninews.marketnews.com/index.php/experts-increased-us-shale-oil-gas-ease-rivalry-w-china?q=content/experts-increased-us-shale-oil-gas-ease-rivalry-w-china)**
WASHINGTON (MNI) - Many wax lyrical about what the United States’ shale oil
AND
increased domestic oil supply will not lead to less engagement with the region. 

====That causes US-China war, middle east instability, and south china sea conflict ====
Lai, 07 - UCLA Center for Chinese Studies ("China’s Oil Diplomacy: Is It a Global Security Threat?", Vol. 28, No. 3,  Third World Quarterly, pp. 519-537, published by Taylor 26 Francis, accessed via JSTOR)
In recent years China’s demands for imported oil have increased rapidly. Many observers,
AND
sort out the facts from the allegations over China’s quest for energy security. 

Middle East instability cause extinction

Steinbach, 02 (DC Iraq Coalition, 3/2/02 "Israeli Weapons of Mass Destruction: a Threat to Peace" Center for Research on Globalisation. http://wagingpeace.org/articles /0203/0331steinbachisraeli.htm-http://wagingpeace.org/articles /0203/0331steinbachisraeli.htm)
Meanwhile, the existence of an arsenal of mass destruction in such an unstable region
AND
whatever reason- the deepening Middle East conflict could trigger a world conflagration."

So does South China Sea conflict

Wittner 11 (Lawrence S. Wittner, Emeritus Professor of History at the State University of New York/Albany, Wittner is the author of eight books, the editor or co-editor of another four, and the author of over 250 published articles and book reviews. From 1984 to 1987, he edited Peace 26 Change, a journal of peace research., 11/28/2011, "Is a Nuclear War With China Possible?",  www.huntingtonnews.net/14446)
While nuclear weapons exist, there remains a danger that they will be used.
AND
—destroying agriculture, creating worldwide famine, and generating chaos and destruction. 

And US-China war

Straight Times 2k (Ching Cheong, Senior Writer at the Strait Times, "No one gains in a war over Taiwan," June 25th, Lexis)
THE high-intensity scenario postulates a cross-strait war escalating into a full
AND
should that come to pass, we would see the destruction of civilization.

Natural Gas

Advantage 2 is Natural Gas

Mexico’s natural gas demand is skyrocketing but PEMEX cant produce any

Forest, 13 (Dave, contributor to Christian Science Monitor 26 contributing editor to the Oil 26 Gas Investments Bulletin, "A surprising source of demand for US natural gas," Christian Science Monitor, July 4, http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas-http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas)
Mexico used to have a pretty decent gas industry.¶ Between 1990 and 2008,
AND
5 Bcf/d, and Pemex is now producing less than that.

Mexico’s import demand for US natural gas will cause domestic prices to double in three years.

Forest, 13 (Dave, contributor to Christian Science Monitor 26 contributing editor to the Oil 26 Gas Investments Bulletin, "A surprising source of demand for US natural gas," Christian Science Monitor, July 4, http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas-http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas)
The numbers imply that Mexico’s peak demand for U.S. gas is currently
AND
in the US from 242-244/mcf in one year.

Low natural gas prices key to the US steel industry

James, 12 (Steve, correspondent for Reuters in New York, "Analysis: Steelmakers eye gas to cut costs, drive exports," Reuters, March 16, 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
old symbol of American industrial power, a competitive edge in the 21st Century

Competitive steel industry is key to steel armor plating – ensures hard power

Adams, 13 (John, President of Guardian Six Consulting, LLC, Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired), former Deputy U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, "Remaking American Security: Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 26 National Security Risks Across the U.S. Defense Industrial Base, May, http://americanmanufacturing.org/files/RemakingAmericanSecurityMay2013.pdf-http://americanmanufacturing.org/files/RemakingAmericanSecurityMay2013.pdf)
Steel armor plate is an important component for armored ground vehicles, including personnel carriers
AND
the sheer variety of steel plates needed for U.S. platforms.

Robust conventional forces deter global conflict

Mullen, 8 (Michael G., ADM, U.S. Navy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "From the Chairman: It’s Time for a New Deterrence Model," Joint Force Quarterly, October, http://inbody.net/civmilblog2/2008/09/16/its-time-for-a-new-deterrence-model/default.htm-http://inbody.net/civmilblog2/2008/09/16/its-time-for-a-new-deterrence-model/default.htm)
Secondly, the model must be credible. The enemy, or potential enemy,
AND
global missile defense systems, and modernize our strategic weapons systems and infrastructure.

American hard power preserves alliances and deters multiple flashpoints for war

Kaplan, 13 (Robert D., Chief Geopolitical Analyst at Stratfor, "The Virtues of Hard Power," May 22, Forbes, http://www.forbes.com/sites/stratfor/2013/05/22/the-virtues-of-hard-power/-http://www.forbes.com/sites/stratfor/2013/05/22/the-virtues-of-hard-power/)
Hard power has not been in vogue since the Iraq War turned badly in about
AND
. American hard power, thus, must never go out of fashion.

Alliances solve nuclear war

Ross ’98 ~Douglas, Winter 1998/1999,– professor of political science at Simon Fraser University, Canada’s functional isolationism and the future of weapons of mass destruction, International Journal, lexis~
Thus, an easily accessible tax base has long been available for spending much more
AND
community have any plausible hope of avoiding warfare involving nuclear or other WMD.

Russia expansionism causes nuclear war

Blank 9 (Dr. Stephen, Research Professor of National Security Affairs at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College, March, "Russia And Arms Control: Are There Opportunities For The Obama Administration?," http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/pub908.pdf)
Proliferators or nuclear states like China and Russia can then deter regional or intercontinental attacks
AND
perhaps make wars of aggression on their neighbors or their own people.172

Wetlands

PEMEX will drill inevitably but they have no tech
Johnson 12 - ~Tim Johnson, Maria Moors Cabot Prize, Winner 26 Stanford University, Knight Fellow, citing various oil experts, 3-04-12, McClatchy Newspapers, Mexico City, "Mexican plan for Gulf deepwater wells sparks new worries" http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/03/144004/mexican-plan-for-gulf-deepwater.html~~23.UdA9CvmwWuk-http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/03/144004/mexican-plan-for-gulf-deepwater.html~~
Two years after the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history,
AND

"The risks are massive and the potential benefits are comparatively small."
The plan is key to make that safe
Melgar, 2012 (Lourdes, director of the Center for Sustainability and Business at EGADE Business School of the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Summer 2012, "The Future of PEMEX," http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/3781)
The challenge for PEMEX is to increase reserves and oil and gas production in areas
AND
The Mexican oil industry can no longer thrive on amendments to distorted schemes.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion and they’re on the brink now

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm-http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
AND
of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

A spill would devastate the ecosystems

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf-http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
AND
higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – solves extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
AND
transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion causes extinction

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Oil spills threaten gulf sponges key to fight diseases – BP put them on the brink

Downing 10 – Larry, Reuters senior staff ("Medical Cures May Be Destroyed By Oil Spill", 7-9-10, http://www.wftv.com/news/news/medical-cures-may-be-destroyed-by-oil-spill/nJwf4/-http://www.wftv.com/news/news/medical-cures-may-be-destroyed-by-oil-spill/nJwf4/)
The cure for cancer or malaria could be destroyed because of the oil disaster in
AND
It’s not only damaging to sea life, but human life as well.

Sponges solve antibiotic resistance

Sanders 9 – Laura, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from UCLA, Neuroscience Writer for Science News ("Sponge’s secret weapon revealed" Science News, 00368423, 3-14-09, v.175, iss.6)
A chemical from an ocean-dwelling sponge can reprogram antibiotic-resistant bacteria to
AND
the bacterium, it’s not throwing up any red flags," Moeller said. 

Antibiotic resistance causes extinction

Davies 08 – Julian, Fellow of the Royal Society, British microbiologist, professor emeritus, and Principal Investigator of the Davies Lab, at University of British Columbia ("Resistance redux; Infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance and the future of mankind", EMBO Rep. 2008 July; 9(Suppl 1): S18–S21. doi:  10.1038/embor.2008.69 PMCID: PMC3327549, Science and Society)
For many years, antibiotic-resistant pathogens have been recognized as one of the
AND
our best efforts, continue to exact a toll on the human race.

Tournament: Maine East | Round: 3 | Opponent: GBN YZ | Judge: Tim Brzny

1AC

Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should pass the Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreement

China

Advantage 1 is China

====China is increasing their reliance on Middle East oil – plan checks Chinese oil expansion ====
González, 12 – UCB, columnist for the WSJ (and#34;Expanded Oil Drilling Helps U.S.Wean Itself From Mideastand#34;, June 27th, 2012, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304441404577480952719124264.html)**
HOUSTON—America will halve its reliance on Middle East oil by the end of
AND
Russia’s economy is and#34;a colossal challenge,and#34; said economy minister Andrei Belousov.

====China can’t develop any themselves – they have to import====
Cockerham, 13 – Columnist for McClatchy (and#34;Iraqi oil: Once seen as U.S. boon, now it’s mostly China’sand#34;, 3/27/13, http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/03/27/187100/iraqi-oil-once-seen-as-us-boon.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
WASHINGTON — Ten years after the United States invaded and occupied Iraq, the country’s
AND
-owned oil company PetroChina lacking the technological sophistication needed for deepwater production.

====Sino-U.S. competition growing now – import dependence in the Middle East makes Chinese power projection likely====
Kemp, 12 - John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst (and#34;COLUMN-China’s growing strategic stake in the Middle East: Kempand#34;, March 2nd 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/02/column-china-middle-east-oil-idUSL5E8E229T20120302)**
(Reuters) - China’s growing demand for imported oil, coupled with the development
AND
in the region is not an aberration but the start of a trend. 

====Competition is zero-sum – there is a direct trade-off====
MNI, 13 - MNI is the leading provider of news and intelligence specifically for the Global Foreign Exchange and Fixed Income Markets (and#34;Experts: Increased US Shale Oil 26 Gas To Ease Rivalry W/ Chinaand#34;, June 12th, 2013, https://mninews.marketnews.com/index.php/experts-increased-us-shale-oil-gas-ease-rivalry-w-china?q=content/experts-increased-us-shale-oil-gas-ease-rivalry-w-china)**
WASHINGTON (MNI) - Many wax lyrical about what the United States’ shale oil
AND
increased domestic oil supply will not lead to less engagement with the region. 

====That causes US-China war, middle east instability, and south china sea conflict ====
Lai, 07 - UCLA Center for Chinese Studies (and#34;China’s Oil Diplomacy: Is It a Global Security Threat?and#34;, Vol. 28, No. 3,  Third World Quarterly, pp. 519-537, published by Taylor 26 Francis, accessed via JSTOR)
In recent years China’s demands for imported oil have increased rapidly. Many observers,
AND
sort out the facts from the allegations over China’s quest for energy security. 

Middle East instability cause extinction

Steinbach, 02 (DC Iraq Coalition, 3/2/02 and#34;Israeli Weapons of Mass Destruction: a Threat to Peaceand#34; Center for Research on Globalisation. http://wagingpeace.org/articles /0203/0331steinbachisraeli.htm-http://wagingpeace.org/articles /0203/0331steinbachisraeli.htm)
Meanwhile, the existence of an arsenal of mass destruction in such an unstable region
AND
whatever reason- the deepening Middle East conflict could trigger a world conflagration.and#34;

So does South China Sea conflict

Wittner 11 (Lawrence S. Wittner, Emeritus Professor of History at the State University of New York/Albany, Wittner is the author of eight books, the editor or co-editor of another four, and the author of over 250 published articles and book reviews. From 1984 to 1987, he edited Peace 26 Change, a journal of peace research., 11/28/2011, and#34;Is a Nuclear War With China Possible?and#34;,  www.huntingtonnews.net/14446)
While nuclear weapons exist, there remains a danger that they will be used.
AND
—destroying agriculture, creating worldwide famine, and generating chaos and destruction. 

And US-China war

Straight Times 2k (Ching Cheong, Senior Writer at the Strait Times, and#34;No one gains in a war over Taiwan,and#34; June 25th, Lexis)
THE high-intensity scenario postulates a cross-strait war escalating into a full
AND
should that come to pass, we would see the destruction of civilization.

Natural Gas

Advantage 2 is Natural Gas

Mexico’s natural gas demand is skyrocketing but PEMEX cant produce any

Forest, 13 (Dave, contributor to Christian Science Monitor 26 contributing editor to the Oil 26 Gas Investments Bulletin, and#34;A surprising source of demand for US natural gas,and#34; Christian Science Monitor, July 4, http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas-http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas)
Mexico used to have a pretty decent gas industry.¶ Between 1990 and 2008,
AND
5 Bcf/d, and Pemex is now producing less than that.

Mexico’s import demand for US natural gas will cause domestic prices to double in three years.

Forest, 13 (Dave, contributor to Christian Science Monitor 26 contributing editor to the Oil 26 Gas Investments Bulletin, and#34;A surprising source of demand for US natural gas,and#34; Christian Science Monitor, July 4, http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas-http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas)
The numbers imply that Mexico’s peak demand for U.S. gas is currently
AND
in the US from 242-244/mcf in one year.

Low natural gas prices key to the US steel industry

James, 12 (Steve, correspondent for Reuters in New York, and#34;Analysis: Steelmakers eye gas to cut costs, drive exports,and#34; Reuters, March 16, 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
old symbol of American industrial power, a competitive edge in the 21st Century

Competitive steel industry is key to steel armor plating – ensures hard power

Adams, 13 (John, President of Guardian Six Consulting, LLC, Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired), former Deputy U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, and#34;Remaking American Security: Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 26 National Security Risks Across the U.S. Defense Industrial Base, May, http://americanmanufacturing.org/files/RemakingAmericanSecurityMay2013.pdf-http://americanmanufacturing.org/files/RemakingAmericanSecurityMay2013.pdf)
Steel armor plate is an important component for armored ground vehicles, including personnel carriers
AND
the sheer variety of steel plates needed for U.S. platforms.

Robust conventional forces deter global conflict

Mullen, 8 (Michael G., ADM, U.S. Navy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and#34;From the Chairman: It’s Time for a New Deterrence Model,and#34; Joint Force Quarterly, October, http://inbody.net/civmilblog2/2008/09/16/its-time-for-a-new-deterrence-model/default.htm-http://inbody.net/civmilblog2/2008/09/16/its-time-for-a-new-deterrence-model/default.htm)
Secondly, the model must be credible. The enemy, or potential enemy,
AND
global missile defense systems, and modernize our strategic weapons systems and infrastructure.

American hard power preserves alliances and deters multiple flashpoints for war

Kaplan, 13 (Robert D., Chief Geopolitical Analyst at Stratfor, and#34;The Virtues of Hard Power,and#34; May 22, Forbes, http://www.forbes.com/sites/stratfor/2013/05/22/the-virtues-of-hard-power/-http://www.forbes.com/sites/stratfor/2013/05/22/the-virtues-of-hard-power/)
Hard power has not been in vogue since the Iraq War turned badly in about
AND
. American hard power, thus, must never go out of fashion.

Alliances solve nuclear war

Ross ’98 ~Douglas, Winter 1998/1999,– professor of political science at Simon Fraser University, Canada’s functional isolationism and the future of weapons of mass destruction, International Journal, lexis~
Thus, an easily accessible tax base has long been available for spending much more
AND
community have any plausible hope of avoiding warfare involving nuclear or other WMD.

Russia expansionism causes nuclear war

Blank 9 (Dr. Stephen, Research Professor of National Security Affairs at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College, March, and#34;Russia And Arms Control: Are There Opportunities For The Obama Administration?,and#34; http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/pub908.pdf)
Proliferators or nuclear states like China and Russia can then deter regional or intercontinental attacks
AND
perhaps make wars of aggression on their neighbors or their own people.172

Wetlands

PEMEX will drill inevitably but they have no tech
Johnson 12 - ~Tim Johnson, Maria Moors Cabot Prize, Winner 26 Stanford University, Knight Fellow, citing various oil experts, 3-04-12, McClatchy Newspapers, Mexico City, and#34;Mexican plan for Gulf deepwater wells sparks new worriesand#34; http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/03/144004/mexican-plan-for-gulf-deepwater.html~~23.UdA9CvmwWuk-http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/03/144004/mexican-plan-for-gulf-deepwater.html~~
Two years after the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history,
AND

and#34;The risks are massive and the potential benefits are comparatively small.and#34;
The plan is key to make that safe
Melgar, 2012 (Lourdes, director of the Center for Sustainability and Business at EGADE Business School of the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Summer 2012, and#34;The Future of PEMEX,and#34; http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/3781)
The challenge for PEMEX is to increase reserves and oil and gas production in areas
AND
The Mexican oil industry can no longer thrive on amendments to distorted schemes.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion and they’re on the brink now

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency (and#34;Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watershedsand#34;, Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm-http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
AND
of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

A spill would devastate the ecosystems

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program (and#34;Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plantsand#34;, http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf-http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
AND
higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – solves extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 (and#34;Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summaryand#34;, http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
AND
transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion causes extinction

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., and#34;Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability,and#34; Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is and#34;the basis upon which something stands or is supportedand#34; (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Oil spills threaten gulf sponges key to fight diseases – BP put them on the brink

Downing 10 – Larry, Reuters senior staff (and#34;Medical Cures May Be Destroyed By Oil Spilland#34;, 7-9-10, http://www.wftv.com/news/news/medical-cures-may-be-destroyed-by-oil-spill/nJwf4/-http://www.wftv.com/news/news/medical-cures-may-be-destroyed-by-oil-spill/nJwf4/)
The cure for cancer or malaria could be destroyed because of the oil disaster in
AND
It’s not only damaging to sea life, but human life as well.

Sponges solve antibiotic resistance

Sanders 9 – Laura, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from UCLA, Neuroscience Writer for Science News (and#34;Sponge’s secret weapon revealedand#34; Science News, 00368423, 3-14-09, v.175, iss.6)
A chemical from an ocean-dwelling sponge can reprogram antibiotic-resistant bacteria to
AND
the bacterium, it’s not throwing up any red flags,and#34; Moeller said. 

Antibiotic resistance causes extinction

Davies 08 – Julian, Fellow of the Royal Society, British microbiologist, professor emeritus, and Principal Investigator of the Davies Lab, at University of British Columbia (and#34;Resistance redux; Infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance and the future of mankindand#34;, EMBO Rep. 2008 July; 9(Suppl 1): S18–S21. doi:  10.1038/embor.2008.69 PMCID: PMC3327549, Science and Society)
For many years, antibiotic-resistant pathogens have been recognized as one of the
AND
our best efforts, continue to exact a toll on the human race.

Tournament: University of Michigan | Round: 2 | Opponent: Des Moines Roosevelt | Judge: Toby Whisenhunt

1AC New Trier BK

Inherency

First is Inherency

No deal yet, we need to pass and prevent moratorium lifting on January 2014 which makes impacts inevitable

Dlouhy 10-13-13(Jennifer A. Dlouhy covers energy policy, politics and other issues for The Houston Chronicle and other Hearst Newspapers from Washington, D.C. Previously, she reported on legal affairs for Congressional Quarterly. She also has worked at The Beaumont Enterprise, The San Antonio Express-News and other newspapers, Fuel Fix, "Senate passes bill to enact US-Mexico oil treaty", http://fuelfix.com/blog/2013/10/13/senate-passes-bill-to-enact-us-mexico-oil-treaty/).

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Saturday unanimously passed legislation to enact a long-stalled
AND
contain 172 million barrels of oil and 304 billion cubic feet of natural gas

Dodd-Frank and recent SEC rulings complicate passage.

Addison, 10/15 (Velda, of Hart Energy, "Senate Approves US-Mexico Transboundary Deal," http://www.epmag.com/Technology-Regulations/Senate-Approves-US-Mexico-Transboundary-Deal_124221)
Legislators now must iron out differences concerning a Dodd-Frank provision. The transboundary
AND
oil and gas industry, leasing in the transboundary areas has been muted. 

GOP leadership won’t bow to Senate on THA.

Geman, 10/23 (Ben, writer for The Hill, "Rep. Hastings ’not quite sure’ on dropping Dodd-Frank waiver from drilling bill," http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/330133-rep-hastings-not-quite-sure-on-dropping-dodd-frank-waiver-from-drilling-bill)
A senior House Republican said Wednesday that it’s unclear whether the House will bow to
AND
Senate versions of the bills. The House approved its version in June.

Plan

Thus the Plan: The United States federal government should pass House Resolution 1613

China

Advantage 1 is China

====China is increasing their reliance on Middle East oil – plan checks Chinese oil expansion ====
González, 12 – UCB, columnist for the WSJ ("Expanded Oil Drilling Helps U.S.Wean Itself From Mideast", June 27th, 2012, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304441404577480952719124264.html)**
HOUSTON—America will halve its reliance on Middle East oil by the end of
AND
Russia’s economy is "a colossal challenge," said economy minister Andrei Belousov.

====China can’t develop any themselves – they have to import====
Cockerham, 13 – Columnist for McClatchy ("Iraqi oil: Once seen as U.S. boon, now it’s mostly China’s", 3/27/13, http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/03/27/187100/iraqi-oil-once-seen-as-us-boon.html~~23storylink=cpy)**
WASHINGTON — Ten years after the United States invaded and occupied Iraq, the country’s
AND
-owned oil company PetroChina lacking the technological sophistication needed for deepwater production.

====Sino-U.S. competition growing now – import dependence in the Middle East makes Chinese power projection likely====
Kemp, 12 - John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst ("COLUMN-China’s growing strategic stake in the Middle East: Kemp", March 2nd 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/02/column-china-middle-east-oil-idUSL5E8E229T20120302)**
(Reuters) - China’s growing demand for imported oil, coupled with the development
AND
in the region is not an aberration but the start of a trend. 

====Competition is zero-sum – there is a direct trade-off====
MNI, 13 - MNI is the leading provider of news and intelligence specifically for the Global Foreign Exchange and Fixed Income Markets ("Experts: Increased US Shale Oil 26 Gas To Ease Rivalry W/ China", June 12th, 2013, https://mninews.marketnews.com/index.php/experts-increased-us-shale-oil-gas-ease-rivalry-w-china?q=content/experts-increased-us-shale-oil-gas-ease-rivalry-w-china)**
WASHINGTON (MNI) - Many wax lyrical about what the United States’ shale oil
AND
increased domestic oil supply will not lead to less engagement with the region. 

====That causes US-China war, middle east instability, and south china sea conflict ====
Lai, 07 - UCLA Center for Chinese Studies ("China’s Oil Diplomacy: Is It a Global Security Threat?", Vol. 28, No. 3,  Third World Quarterly, pp. 519-537, published by Taylor 26 Francis, accessed via JSTOR)
In recent years China’s demands for imported oil have increased rapidly. Many observers,
AND
sort out the facts from the allegations over China’s quest for energy security. 

Middle East instability cause extinction

Steinbach, 02 (DC Iraq Coalition, 3/2/02 "Israeli Weapons of Mass Destruction: a Threat to Peace" Center for Research on Globalisation. http://wagingpeace.org/articles /0203/0331steinbachisraeli.htm-http://wagingpeace.org/articles /0203/0331steinbachisraeli.htm)
Meanwhile, the existence of an arsenal of mass destruction in such an unstable region
AND
whatever reason- the deepening Middle East conflict could trigger a world conflagration."

So does South China Sea conflict

Wittner 11 (Lawrence S. Wittner, Emeritus Professor of History at the State University of New York/Albany, Wittner is the author of eight books, the editor or co-editor of another four, and the author of over 250 published articles and book reviews. From 1984 to 1987, he edited Peace 26 Change, a journal of peace research., 11/28/2011, "Is a Nuclear War With China Possible?",  www.huntingtonnews.net/14446)
While nuclear weapons exist, there remains a danger that they will be used.
AND
—destroying agriculture, creating worldwide famine, and generating chaos and destruction. 

And US-China war

Straight Times 2k (Ching Cheong, Senior Writer at the Strait Times, "No one gains in a war over Taiwan," June 25th, Lexis)
THE high-intensity scenario postulates a cross-strait war escalating into a full
AND
should that come to pass, we would see the destruction of civilization.

Natural Gas

Advantage 2 is Natural Gas

Mexico’s natural gas demand is skyrocketing but PEMEX cant produce any

Forest, 13 (Dave, contributor to Christian Science Monitor 26 contributing editor to the Oil 26 Gas Investments Bulletin, "A surprising source of demand for US natural gas," Christian Science Monitor, July 4, http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas-http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas)
Mexico used to have a pretty decent gas industry.¶ Between 1990 and 2008,
AND
5 Bcf/d, and Pemex is now producing less than that.

Mexico’s import demand for US natural gas will cause domestic prices to double in three years.

Forest, 13 (Dave, contributor to Christian Science Monitor 26 contributing editor to the Oil 26 Gas Investments Bulletin, "A surprising source of demand for US natural gas," Christian Science Monitor, July 4, http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas-http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0704/A-surprising-source-of-demand-for-US-natural-gas)
The numbers imply that Mexico’s peak demand for U.S. gas is currently
AND
in the US from 242-244/mcf in one year.

Low natural gas prices key to the US steel industry

James, 12 (Steve, correspondent for Reuters in New York, "Analysis: Steelmakers eye gas to cut costs, drive exports," Reuters, March 16, 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
old symbol of American industrial power, a competitive edge in the 21st Century

Competitive steel industry is key to steel armor plating – ensures hard power

Adams, 13 (John, President of Guardian Six Consulting, LLC, Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired), former Deputy U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, "Remaking American Security: Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 26 National Security Risks Across the U.S. Defense Industrial Base, May, http://americanmanufacturing.org/files/RemakingAmericanSecurityMay2013.pdf-http://americanmanufacturing.org/files/RemakingAmericanSecurityMay2013.pdf)
Steel armor plate is an important component for armored ground vehicles, including personnel carriers
AND
the sheer variety of steel plates needed for U.S. platforms.

Robust conventional forces deter global conflict

Mullen, 8 (Michael G., ADM, U.S. Navy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "From the Chairman: It’s Time for a New Deterrence Model," Joint Force Quarterly, October, http://inbody.net/civmilblog2/2008/09/16/its-time-for-a-new-deterrence-model/default.htm-http://inbody.net/civmilblog2/2008/09/16/its-time-for-a-new-deterrence-model/default.htm)
Secondly, the model must be credible. The enemy, or potential enemy,
AND
global missile defense systems, and modernize our strategic weapons systems and infrastructure.

American hard power preserves alliances and deters multiple flashpoints for war

Kaplan, 13 (Robert D., Chief Geopolitical Analyst at Stratfor, "The Virtues of Hard Power," May 22, Forbes, http://www.forbes.com/sites/stratfor/2013/05/22/the-virtues-of-hard-power/-http://www.forbes.com/sites/stratfor/2013/05/22/the-virtues-of-hard-power/)
Hard power has not been in vogue since the Iraq War turned badly in about
AND
. American hard power, thus, must never go out of fashion.

Alliances solve nuclear war

Ross ’98 ~Douglas, Winter 1998/1999,– professor of political science at Simon Fraser University, Canada’s functional isolationism and the future of weapons of mass destruction, International Journal, lexis~
Thus, an easily accessible tax base has long been available for spending much more
AND
community have any plausible hope of avoiding warfare involving nuclear or other WMD.

Wetlands

Advantage 3 is Wetlands
PEMEX will drill inevitably but they have no tech
Johnson 12 - ~Tim Johnson, Maria Moors Cabot Prize, Winner 26 Stanford University, Knight Fellow, citing various oil experts, 3-04-12, McClatchy Newspapers, Mexico City, "Mexican plan for Gulf deepwater wells sparks new worries" http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/03/144004/mexican-plan-for-gulf-deepwater.html~~23.UdA9CvmwWuk-http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/03/144004/mexican-plan-for-gulf-deepwater.html~~
Two years after the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history,
AND

"The risks are massive and the potential benefits are comparatively small."
The plan is key to make that safe
Melgar, 2012 (Lourdes, director of the Center for Sustainability and Business at EGADE Business School of the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Summer 2012, "The Future of PEMEX," http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/3781)
The challenge for PEMEX is to increase reserves and oil and gas production in areas
AND
The Mexican oil industry can no longer thrive on amendments to distorted schemes.

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion and they’re on the brink now

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm-http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
AND
of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

A spill would devastate the ecosystems

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf-http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
AND
higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – solves extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
AND
transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion causes extinction

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Oil spills threaten gulf sponges key to fight diseases – BP put them on the brink

Downing 10 – Larry, Reuters senior staff ("Medical Cures May Be Destroyed By Oil Spill", 7-9-10, http://www.wftv.com/news/news/medical-cures-may-be-destroyed-by-oil-spill/nJwf4/-http://www.wftv.com/news/news/medical-cures-may-be-destroyed-by-oil-spill/nJwf4/)
The cure for cancer or malaria could be destroyed because of the oil disaster in
AND
It’s not only damaging to sea life, but human life as well.

Sponges solve antibiotic resistance

Sanders 9 – Laura, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from UCLA, Neuroscience Writer for Science News ("Sponge’s secret weapon revealed" Science News, 00368423, 3-14-09, v.175, iss.6)
A chemical from an ocean-dwelling sponge can reprogram antibiotic-resistant bacteria to
AND
the bacterium, it’s not throwing up any red flags," Moeller said. 

Antibiotic resistance causes extinction

Davies 08 – Julian, Fellow of the Royal Society, British microbiologist, professor emeritus, and Principal Investigator of the Davies Lab, at University of British Columbia ("Resistance redux; Infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance and the future of mankind", EMBO Rep. 2008 July; 9(Suppl 1): S18–S21. doi:  10.1038/embor.2008.69 PMCID: PMC3327549, Science and Society)
For many years, antibiotic-resistant pathogens have been recognized as one of the
AND
our best efforts, continue to exact a toll on the human race. 

Solvency

Advantage 4 is Solvency

THA has already been negotiated – only needs US ratification

- Also, this is what THA does, if you’re curious
Danish et al, 12 – (KYLE, SHELLEY FIDLER, TOMÁS CARBONELL, KAITLIN GREGG, HAROLD BULGER, TRACY NAGELBUSH, "Climate, Energy, and Air Weekly Update," VanNess Feldman LLP, 2-27-2012, http://www.vnf.com/news-policyupdates-683.html)**
US, Mexico Reach Agreement on Regulation of Cross-Boundary Offshore Drilling. A
AND
an agreement between the two countries that was due to expire in 2014.

Tournament: Niles Township | Round: 2 | Opponent: GBS CK | Judge: David Gobberdiel

1AC

Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should pass the Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act

Contention One is Environment

Unlike BP, PEMEX lacks deepwater tech, insurance, experience and management. When there’s a spill, there’s no guarantee they would clean-up

Johnson 12 - ~Tim Johnson, Maria Moors Cabot Prize, Winner 26 Stanford University, Knight Fellow, citing various oil experts, 3-04-12, McClatchy Newspapers, Mexico City, "Mexican plan for Gulf deepwater wells sparks new worries" http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/03/144004/mexican-plan-for-gulf-deepwater.html~~23.UdA9CvmwWuk-http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/03/144004/mexican-plan-for-gulf-deepwater.html~~
Two years after the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history,
AND

"The risks are massive and the potential benefits are comparatively small."

Scenario One is Bio-D:

Florida Straits ecosystems are on the brink—a spill would crush the coastline and Caribbean coral reefs – kills species

Hoffman ’12 – environment and science writer for numerous publications
(Karen, "Cuba’s Gulf of Mexico Oil Exploration Makes Strange Bedfellows", Earth Island Journal, 3-15-2012, http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/cubas_gulf_of_mexico_oil_exploration_makes_strange_bedfellows/)**
Florida’s 800 miles of coast are far from as unspoiled as Cuba’s, but they
AND
, Cuba and Mexico to collaborate more on marine science and conservation issues.)

The Gulf is a key ocean biodiversity hotspot

Brenner 8 – Jorge Brenner, March 14th, 2008, "Guarding the Gulf of Mexico’s valuable resources" www.scidev.net/en/opinions/guarding-the-gulf-of-mexico-s-valuable-resources.html
Rich in biodiversity and habitats The Gulf of Mexico is rich in biodiversity and unique
AND
in the North Atlantic that helps to regulate the climate of western Europe.

Extinction
Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
AND
kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.

There’s an invisible threshold – resiliency doesn’t apply

Craig 11 (Robin Kundis Craig, Attorneys’ Title Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Environmental Programs, Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, Florida, 12/20/11 "Legal Remedies for Deep Marine Oil Spills and Long-Term Ecological Resilience: A Match Made in Hell" http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1906839-http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1906839)
What would happen instead if we incorporated full resilience theory into our laws? As
AND
actions do to the ecosystems that we both impact and depend upon.185

Scenario Two is Warming:

Independently, the plan is key to clean tech

Sarukhan 12 (Arturo Sarukhan is a distinguished affiliate in the Foreign Policyand Metropolitan Policy programs at Brookings. He focuses on hemispheric issues, Mexico-U.S. relations, immigration policy, new security threats, and the role of cities in the 21st Century. He is chairman of Global Solutions/A Podesta Company, a global strategic consulting and risk assessment firm. The grandson and son of conflict refugees in Mexico, he served as a career diplomat in the Mexican Foreign Service for 20 years and received the rank of career ambassador in 2006, February 2012, http://www.americanambassadors.org/publications/ambassadors-review/spring-2012/mexico-and-the-united-states-a-strategic-relationship)//moxley
The fourth driver of our bilateral agenda is how we address energy security and energy
AND
in which both countries can come together in the development of clean fuel.

Clean tech solves climate change

Klarevas ’09 ~12/15/09, Louis Klarevas is a Professor at the Center for Global Affairs at New York University, "Securing American Primacy While Tackling Climate Change: Toward a National Strategy of Greengemony-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/louis-klarevas/securing-american-primacy_b_393223.html", http://www.huffingtonpost.com/louis-klarevas/securing-american-primacy_b_393223.html-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. 

There’s over a 95 consensus it’s human induced- best scientists are on our side

Anderegg et al 10 – PhD Candidate @ Stanford in Biology
William, "Expert credibility in climate change," National Academy of Sciences, p. 12107-12109
Preliminary reviews of scientific literature and surveys of cli- mate scientists indicate striking agreement
AND
discussions in media, policy, and public forums regarding anthropogenic climate change.

Warming is the only existential risk

Deibel ’07—Prof IR @ National War College (Terry, "Foreign Affairs Strategy: Logic for American Statecraft," Conclusion: American Foreign Affairs Strategy Today)
Finally, there is one major existential threat to American security (as well as
AND
States, but potentially to the continued existence of life on this planet.

Scenario Three is Sponges:

Oil spills threaten gulf sponges key to fight diseases – BP put them on the brink

Downing 10 – Larry, Reuters senior staff ("Medical Cures May Be Destroyed By Oil Spill", 7-9-10, http://www.wftv.com/news/news/medical-cures-may-be-destroyed-by-oil-spill/nJwf4/-http://www.wftv.com/news/news/medical-cures-may-be-destroyed-by-oil-spill/nJwf4/)
The cure for cancer or malaria could be destroyed because of the oil disaster in
AND
It’s not only damaging to sea life, but human life as well.

Sponges solve antibiotic resistance

Sanders 9 – Laura, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from UCLA, Neuroscience Writer for Science News ("Sponge’s secret weapon revealed" Science News, 00368423, 3-14-09, v.175, iss.6)
A chemical from an ocean-dwelling sponge can reprogram antibiotic-resistant bacteria to
AND
the bacterium, it’s not throwing up any red flags," Moeller said. 

Antibiotic resistance causes extinction

Davies 08 – Julian, Fellow of the Royal Society, British microbiologist, professor emeritus, and Principal Investigator of the Davies Lab, at University of British Columbia ("Resistance redux; Infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance and the future of mankind", EMBO Rep. 2008 July; 9(Suppl 1): S18–S21. doi:  10.1038/embor.2008.69 PMCID: PMC3327549, Science and Society)
For many years, antibiotic-resistant pathogens have been recognized as one of the
AND
our best efforts, continue to exact a toll on the human race. 

Scenario Four is Wetlands:

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion and they’re on the brink now

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency ("Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watersheds", Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm-http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
AND
of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Gulf oil spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program ("Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plants", http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf-http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
AND
higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 ("Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summary", http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
AND
transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri  (John E., "Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability," Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is "the basis upon which something stands or is supported" (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Contention Two is Econ

PEMEX is declining – THA diversifies Mexico’s oil portfolio

Kerry et al. 12 (JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts, Chairman  BARBARA BOXER, California RICHARD G. LUGAR, Indiana ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey BOB CORKER, Tennessee BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland JAMES E. RISCH, Idaho ROBERT P. CASEY, Jr., Pennsylvania MARCO RUBIO, Florida JIM WEBB, Virginia JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire JIM DeMINT, South Carolina CHRISTOPHER A. COONS, Delaware JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming TOM UDALL, New Mexico MIKE LEE, Utah William C. Danvers, Staff Director  Kenneth A. Myers, Jr., Republican Staff Director, "OIL, MEXICO, AND THE AGREEMENT", December 2012, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-112SPRT77567/html/CPRT-112SPRT77567.htm-http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-112SPRT77567/html/CPRT-112SPRT77567.htm)
Progress, but can it last? A snapshot of Mexico’s oil sector Mexico has
AND
poverty alleviation to the rule of law, let alone broader economic growth.

PEMEX and oil decline will drive Mexico into a financial crisis

Krauss and Malkin 10 Clifford Kraus and Elisabeth Malkin, Krauss is a national business correspondent based in Houston covering energy for the NYT, Malkin covers environmental and energy news especially for Mexico for the NYT, March 8, 2010, "Mexico Oil Politics Keeps Riches Just Out of Reach", http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/business/global/09pemex.html?pagewanted=all26_r=0-http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/business/global/09pemex.html?pagewanted=all26_r=0.
VENUSTIANO CARRANZA, Mexico — To the Mexican people, one of the great achievements
AND
, Pemex is in a key moment in its history," he said.

Specifically, cooperation over deep-water wells are key

Melgar, 2012 (Lourdes, director of the Center for Sustainability and Business at EGADE Business School of the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Summer 2012, "The Future of PEMEX," http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/3781)
The challenge for PEMEX is to increase reserves and oil and gas production in areas
AND
The Mexican oil industry can no longer thrive on amendments to distorted schemes.

Independently, drilling solves Mexican growth

Kerry et al. 12
(JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts, Chairman  BARBARA BOXER, California RICHARD G. LUGAR, Indiana ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey BOB CORKER, Tennessee BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland JAMES E. RISCH, Idaho ROBERT P. CASEY, Jr., Pennsylvania MARCO RUBIO, Florida JIM WEBB, Virginia JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire JIM DeMINT, South Carolina CHRISTOPHER A. COONS, Delaware JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming TOM UDALL, New Mexico MIKE LEE, Utah William C. Danvers, Staff Director  Kenneth A. Myers, Jr., Republican Staff Director, "OIL, MEXICO, AND THE AGREEMENT", December 2012, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-112SPRT77567/html/CPRT-112SPRT77567.htm-http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-112SPRT77567/html/CPRT-112SPRT77567.htm)
The centerpiece of the TBA is the mandate to establish so-called ’’unitization’’
AND
and friendly neighbor, Mexican oil imports support U.S. energy security

Economic decline causes Mexican collapse

Barnes 11 Joe Barnes, the Bonner Means Baker Fellow at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, written extensively on international economics, with a focus on the geopolitics of energy, April 29, 2011, "The Future of Oil in Mexico", http://bakerinstitute.org/publications/EF-pub-BarnesBilateral-04292011.pdf-http://bakerinstitute.org/publications/EF-pub-BarnesBilateral-04292011.pdf.
In summary. the slow decline of Mexican oil production, in and of itself
AND
Pemex’s development into something like Norway’s Statol would mark an important improvement.36

Mexican stability key to heg

Kaplan ’12 – chief geopolitical analyst at Stratfor (Robert D., With the Focus on Syria, Mexico Burns, Stratfor, 3-28-2012, http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/focus-syria-mexico-burns)-http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/focus-syria-mexico-burns)
While the foreign policy elite in Washington focuses on the 8,000 deaths in
AND
can continue to focus on serious moral questions in places that matter less.

Hegemony prevents multiple nuclear conflicts

Brooks, Ikenberry, and Wohlforth ’13
(Stephen, Associate Professor of Government at Dartmouth College, John Ikenberry is the Albert G. Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University in the Department of Politics and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, William C. Wohlforth is the Daniel Webster Professor in the Department of Government at Dartmouth College "Don’t Come Home America: The Case Against Retrenchment," International Security, Vol. 37, No. 3 (Winter 2012/13), pp. 7–51)
A core premise of deep engagement is that it prevents the emergence of a far
AND
that of potential rivals is by many measures growing rather than shrinking. 85

Mexican collapse causes terrorism

Michael Brown 9, Undersecretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response in the Department of Homeland Security, "Border Control: Collapse of Mexico Is A Homeland Security 26 National Security Issue," 1/14, http://michaelbrowntoday.com/journal/2009/1/15/border-control-collapse-of-mexico-is-a-homeland-security-nat.html-http://michaelbrowntoday.com/journal/2009/1/15/border-control-collapse-of-mexico-is-a-homeland-security-nat.html
By failing to secure the borders and control immigration, we have opened ourselves up
AND
States, just laying in wait to attack at an appropriately vulnerable time.

They’ll use bioweapons

Ken Timmerman 10, Newsmax correspondent, "FBI Director Mueller: Al-Qaida Still Wants Nuclear Bomb," 3/18, http://newsmax.com/Newsfront/mueller-fbi-alqaida-nuclear/2010/03/18/id/353169-http://newsmax.com/Newsfront/mueller-fbi-alqaida-nuclear/2010/03/18/id/353169
FBI Director Robert Mueller warned Congress on Wednesday of ongoing al-Qaida efforts to
AND
it is properly spread in population centers there," al-Nasifi said.

Extinction

Anders Sandberg 8, is a James Martin Research Fellow at the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University; Jason G. Matheny, PhD candidate in Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and special consultant to the Center for Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Milan M. ?irkovi?, senior research associate at the Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade and assistant professor of physics at the University of Novi Sad in Serbia and Montenegro, 9/8/8, "How can we reduce the risk of human extinction?," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists,http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/how-can-we-reduce-the-risk-of-human-extinction-http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/how-can-we-reduce-the-risk-of-human-extinction
The risks from anthropogenic hazards appear at present larger than those from natural ones.
AND
may increase as biotechnologies continue to improve at a rate rivaling Moore’s Law.

Tournament: Niles Township | Round: 3 | Opponent: West Des Moines Valley SD | Judge: Mike Galperin

1AC

Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should pass the Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act

Contention One is Environment

Unlike BP, PEMEX lacks deepwater tech, insurance, experience and management. When there’s a spill, there’s no guarantee they would clean-up

Johnson 12 - ~Tim Johnson, Maria Moors Cabot Prize, Winner 26 Stanford University, Knight Fellow, citing various oil experts, 3-04-12, McClatchy Newspapers, Mexico City, and#34;Mexican plan for Gulf deepwater wells sparks new worriesand#34; http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/03/144004/mexican-plan-for-gulf-deepwater.html~~23.UdA9CvmwWuk-http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/03/144004/mexican-plan-for-gulf-deepwater.html~~
Two years after the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history,
AND

and#34;The risks are massive and the potential benefits are comparatively small.and#34;

Scenario One is Bio-D:

Florida Straits ecosystems are on the brink—a spill would crush the coastline and Caribbean coral reefs – kills species

Hoffman ’12 – environment and science writer for numerous publications
(Karen, and#34;Cuba’s Gulf of Mexico Oil Exploration Makes Strange Bedfellowsand#34;, Earth Island Journal, 3-15-2012, http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/cubas_gulf_of_mexico_oil_exploration_makes_strange_bedfellows/)**
Florida’s 800 miles of coast are far from as unspoiled as Cuba’s, but they
AND
, Cuba and Mexico to collaborate more on marine science and conservation issues.)

The Gulf is a key ocean biodiversity hotspot

Brenner 8 – Jorge Brenner, March 14th, 2008, and#34;Guarding the Gulf of Mexico’s valuable resourcesand#34; www.scidev.net/en/opinions/guarding-the-gulf-of-mexico-s-valuable-resources.html
Rich in biodiversity and habitats The Gulf of Mexico is rich in biodiversity and unique
AND
in the North Atlantic that helps to regulate the climate of western Europe.

Extinction
Craig 3, Associate Prof Law, Indiana U School Law, 2003 (McGeorge Law Review, 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155 Lexis)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
AND
kill ourselves, and we will take most of the biosphere with us.

There’s an invisible threshold – resiliency doesn’t apply

Craig 11 (Robin Kundis Craig, Attorneys’ Title Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Environmental Programs, Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, Florida, 12/20/11 and#34;Legal Remedies for Deep Marine Oil Spills and Long-Term Ecological Resilience: A Match Made in Helland#34; http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1906839-http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1906839)
What would happen instead if we incorporated full resilience theory into our laws? As
AND
actions do to the ecosystems that we both impact and depend upon.185

Scenario Two is Warming:

Independently, the plan is key to clean tech

Sarukhan 12 (Arturo Sarukhan is a distinguished affiliate in the Foreign Policyand Metropolitan Policy programs at Brookings. He focuses on hemispheric issues, Mexico-U.S. relations, immigration policy, new security threats, and the role of cities in the 21st Century. He is chairman of Global Solutions/A Podesta Company, a global strategic consulting and risk assessment firm. The grandson and son of conflict refugees in Mexico, he served as a career diplomat in the Mexican Foreign Service for 20 years and received the rank of career ambassador in 2006, February 2012, http://www.americanambassadors.org/publications/ambassadors-review/spring-2012/mexico-and-the-united-states-a-strategic-relationship)//moxley
The fourth driver of our bilateral agenda is how we address energy security and energy
AND
in which both countries can come together in the development of clean fuel.

Clean tech solves climate change

Klarevas ’09 ~12/15/09, Louis Klarevas is a Professor at the Center for Global Affairs at New York University, and#34;Securing American Primacy While Tackling Climate Change: Toward a National Strategy of Greengemony-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/louis-klarevas/securing-american-primacy_b_393223.htmland#34;, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/louis-klarevas/securing-american-primacy_b_393223.html-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. 

There’s over a 95 consensus it’s human induced- best scientists are on our side

Anderegg et al 10 – PhD Candidate @ Stanford in Biology
William, and#34;Expert credibility in climate change,and#34; National Academy of Sciences, p. 12107-12109
Preliminary reviews of scientific literature and surveys of cli- mate scientists indicate striking agreement
AND
discussions in media, policy, and public forums regarding anthropogenic climate change.

Warming is the only existential risk

Deibel ’07—Prof IR @ National War College (Terry, and#34;Foreign Affairs Strategy: Logic for American Statecraft,and#34; Conclusion: American Foreign Affairs Strategy Today)
Finally, there is one major existential threat to American security (as well as
AND
States, but potentially to the continued existence of life on this planet.

Scenario Three is Sponges:

Oil spills threaten gulf sponges key to fight diseases – BP put them on the brink

Downing 10 – Larry, Reuters senior staff (and#34;Medical Cures May Be Destroyed By Oil Spilland#34;, 7-9-10, http://www.wftv.com/news/news/medical-cures-may-be-destroyed-by-oil-spill/nJwf4/-http://www.wftv.com/news/news/medical-cures-may-be-destroyed-by-oil-spill/nJwf4/)
The cure for cancer or malaria could be destroyed because of the oil disaster in
AND
It’s not only damaging to sea life, but human life as well.

Sponges solve antibiotic resistance

Sanders 9 – Laura, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from UCLA, Neuroscience Writer for Science News (and#34;Sponge’s secret weapon revealedand#34; Science News, 00368423, 3-14-09, v.175, iss.6)
A chemical from an ocean-dwelling sponge can reprogram antibiotic-resistant bacteria to
AND
the bacterium, it’s not throwing up any red flags,and#34; Moeller said. 

Antibiotic resistance causes extinction

Davies 08 – Julian, Fellow of the Royal Society, British microbiologist, professor emeritus, and Principal Investigator of the Davies Lab, at University of British Columbia (and#34;Resistance redux; Infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance and the future of mankindand#34;, EMBO Rep. 2008 July; 9(Suppl 1): S18–S21. doi:  10.1038/embor.2008.69 PMCID: PMC3327549, Science and Society)
For many years, antibiotic-resistant pathogens have been recognized as one of the
AND
our best efforts, continue to exact a toll on the human race. 

Scenario Four is Wetlands:

Southeastern wetlands are key to aquatic biodiversity, the hydrologic cycle, watershed health, and prevent erosion and they’re on the brink now

EPA 13 – US Environmental Protection Agency (and#34;Protecting Wetlands in Coastal Watershedsand#34;, Last updated on Wednesday, July 03, 2013, http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm-http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/cwt.cfm)
Coastal wetlands include saltwater and freshwater wetlands located within coastal watersheds — specifically USGS 8
AND
of carbon due to their rapid growth rates and slow decomposition rates.6

Gulf oil spills devastate wetlands environments, destroy water quality and increase soil erosion

EarthGauge 10 – a National Environmental Education Foundation Program (and#34;Gulf Oil Spill Series: Impacts on Coastal Wetland Plantsand#34;, http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf-http://www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_WetlandPlants.pdf)
IMPACTS OF OIL ON COASTAL WETLANDS Most research on the impacts of oil in wetlands
AND
higher water levels and excess flooding that may prevent plants from growing back.

Wetlands are key to the hydro-cycle – the impact is extinction

Ramsar Convention 96 (and#34;Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands and Biodiversity, Executive Summaryand#34;, http://www.ramsar.org/about/about_biodiversity.htm, ACC: 12.20.08, p. online)
Wetlands - including (inter alia) rivers, lakes, marshes, estuaries,
AND
transition zones between aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems such as forests and grasslands.

Soil erosion threatens all life on the planet

Ikerd 99 – Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at University of Missouri  (John E., and#34;Foundational Principles: Soils. Stewardship, and Sustainability,and#34; Sep 22, http://www.ssu.missouri.edu/faculty/jikerd/papers/NCSOILS.html)
A foundation is and#34;the basis upon which something stands or is supportedand#34; (
AND
water to drink, and food to eat. It’s just less obvious.

Contention Two is Econ