Past Debates

Mar. 6, 2024

“Be it resolved, public funds should not be used for “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” programs in higher education.”

Nov. 15, 2023

“Be it Resolved: A Cold War with China is Inevitable.”

Nov 1, 2023

“Be it resolved, ‘Net Zero by 2050’ is both achievable and necessary to address climate change.”

Oct 24, 2023

“Be it resolved, ESG investment practices are harmful to the economy.”

Oct. 17, 2023

“Be it resolved, Climate science compels us to make large and rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”

Oct 11, 2023

“Be it resolved, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives do more harm than good in higher education and should be abolished.”

Oct 3, 2023

“Be it resolved, the risks of academic engagement with China outweigh the benefits, and the US government and universities must take action to reduce this risk.”

Apr. 13, 2023

“Illegal crossings of the U.S.-Mexico border are increasing at record levels; the U.S. government must secure the border immediately.”  

Mar 15, 2023

“Climate science compels us to make large and rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Fall Series Campus Liberty Tour 2022

Debating the resolution: “Climate science compels us to make large and rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”

With energy prices skyrocketing, the energy grid becoming more unstable, and devastating hurricanes ravaging our coasts, the debate over climate change and energy policy has never been more relevant, or more contentious.

Steamboat Institute hosted three robust debates on these issues in 2022 at the University of Maryland (October 25th), University of Dallas (October 26th), and Oklahoma State University’s Hamm Institute for American Energy (October 27th).

October 25- University of Maryland – College Park

ARGUING THE NEGATIVE: Steven Koonin, Ph.Dauthor of Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn’t, and Why It Matters; Undersecretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy in the Obama Administration

ARGUING THE AFFIRMATIVE: Daniel Schrag, Ph.DDirector of the Harvard University Center for the Environment

Moderated by Sarah Westwood, investigative reporter with the Washington Examiner and Tony Blankley Fellow with Steamboat Institute.

October 26 – University of Dallas – Irving, TX

ARGUING THE NEGATIVE: Steven Koonin, Ph.D.,author of Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn’t, and Why It Matters; Undersecretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy in the Obama Administration

ARGUING THE AFFIRMATIVE: Gernot Wagner, Ph.D, Climate Economist at Columbia Business School

Moderated by Tom Rogan, commentary desk of the Washington Examiner and Tony Blankley Senior Fellow with Steamboat Institute

October 27 – Oklahoma State University’s Hamm Institute for American Energy – Oklahoma City

ARGUING THE NEGATIVESteven Koonin, Ph.D., author of Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn’t, and Why It Matters; Undersecretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy in the Obama Administration

ARGUING THE AFFIRMATIVE: Andrew Dessler, Ph.D, Professor of Atmospheric Science, Texas A&M University; Director, Texas Center for Climate Studies

Moderated by Philip Wegmann, White House Reporter for Real Clear Politics and Tony Blankley Senior Fellow with Steamboat Institute.

Previous Campus Liberty Tour Debates

Pathways to Personal Prosperity and Achieving Your Dreams: Government Programs or Free Enterprise featuring Fox Business’ Charles Payne and CNN commentator Bakari Sellers.

Liberty and Justice for All: A Conversation on Social Justice and Identity Politics featuring the Wall Street Journal’s Jason Riley and Democratic radio host Richard Fowler.

Liberty and Justice for All: A Conversation on Social Justice and Identity Politics featuring the Wall Street Journal’s Jason Riley and Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile.

Should Universities Censor Speech and, If So, On What Basis? Featuring Alan Dershowitz, Professor Emeritus, Harvard Law School and Robert Post, Sterling Professor of Law, Yale Law School.

The Constitution and the Campaign to Impeach the President featuring Stephen Presser and William B. Allen, 2018-19 CU Visiting Scholars in Conservative Thought and Policy

Are College Campuses Free Speech Zones? Featuring Professors Alan Dershowitz and Amy Wax at Pepperdine University.

How Should We Elect a President? National Popular Vote v. Electoral College featuring Trent England, Executive Vice President, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs and Ted Trimpa, Founder and CEO, Trimpa Group at the Freedom Conference.

Socialism v. Capitalism featuring Steve Moore, Distinguished Visiting Fellow for the Project for Economic Growth at The Heritage Foundation and Bhaskar Sunkara, Founding Editor and Publisher of Jacobin at the Freedom Conference.

Will a Wealth Tax Increase Prosperity? Featuring legendary economist Art Laffer and Democratic strategist host Leslie Marshall at Middle Tennessee State University.

Nationalism v. Globalism featuring former Mexican President Vicente Fox and Brexit Leader Nigel Farage at the University of Maryland.

National Popular Vote v. Electoral College featuring Trent England, founder and executive director of Save Our States and Dr. Benjamin Waddell, Associate Professor at Fort Lewis College.

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