Research Links and Discussion Questions for December 2021 Topics

Nov 29, 2021 | Ideas For Teachers

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Methane Emissions
EPA’s Proposed Ruling on Methane Emissions https://bit.ly/3kMy9DD
WaPo: “Biden Unveils New Rules to Curb Methane” https://wapo.st/3oAUWDy
The National Law Review: “EPA Proposes New Methane Regulations for Gas” https://bit.ly/2YTxzfC
Yahoo: “Biden Announces Sweeping Methane Plan” https://yhoo.it/2YYBtUG
RMI.org: “Methane: A Threat to People and the Planet” https://bit.ly/3cmNYMQ
Forbes: “Biden Promises Moves on Methane, Businesses Poised for Growth” https://bit.ly/2YSWhN8

Issue 2: Civil Asset Forfeiture
Congress.gov: “Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act of 2021” (H.R.2857) https://bit.ly/30yiAbj
Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI): “Civil Asset Forfeiture” https://bit.ly/3qGiREm
The Bulwark: “Maine Bans Civil Asset Forfeiture” https://bit.ly/3kN1yxI
Institute for Justice: “Civil Forfeiture Reforms on the State Level” https://bit.ly/3DrxO0C
endforfeiture.com: “IJ’s Initiative to End Policing for Profit” https://endforfeiture.com/
Institute for Justice: “Policing for Profit (2nd Edition)” https://bit.ly/3Hp9EGt

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Methane Emissions
1. What are some of the things we could change in the way we live and work to help decrease the amount of greenhouse gases such as methane we emit into the atmosphere? What would we, as individuals, be willing to give up, to help this process?
2. Making changes usually means someone pays, in some way. Is this true of global warming? How do we as individuals pay now? And how does industry pay? What or who should take most of the financial responsibility?
3. Which is more of a problem for global warming—population growth or industrial growth? Or is it a matter of how industry operates and grows?
4. What impact will rising greenhouse gases have on the climate?
5. What are the main threats of climate change?

Issue 2: Civil Asset Forfeiture

  1. How should law enforcement agencies balance their mission to fight crime while respecting the rights of the suspected and the accused?
  2. Should civil asset forfeiture be expanded as law enforcement tool, or should it be abolished?
  3. Are there ways to reform the system to ensure that only the guilty feel the effects of forfeiture?
  4. Do you think it is justified to take money or property from people accused of committing a crime, but have not been convicted by a judge or jury of doing so? Explain your answer.
  5. What is your perspective? Is asset forfeiture practiced responsibly, or is it in need of reform? Why do you take your position?