Step $4$: How Would You Vote? Defend Your Decision.

Topic: Big Box Store

Seenario:

Large retail outlets have become a mainstay of the suburban landscape. As they continue to spread, communities must grapple with the benefits and drawbacks that come with them. It is well known that their presence entails environmental consequences for communities. However, there is also a strong argument that economic gains supplant the negative impacts. As a potential voter in a community impacted by this decision, you as an environmentally literate citizen, need to come to terms with these issues and develop a stance.

Debate Question:

Based on your knowledge of the benefits and drawbacks of big box stores, what do you feel is the best approach for communities to take when confronted with the prospect of developing land for large$-$scale retail outlets? Defend your decision using evidence$-$based decision making.

Summary of research and evidence:

In the previous section of this activity, various perspectives were presented. Each was backed by data, yet some of the evidence and conclusions were contradictory. While some data suggest that supercenters have negative health consequences for communities, other data suggest that these issues have more to do with poverty than with low$-$priced retail outlets. Similarly, while there is evidence that the largest retail businesses are making strides in the arena of environmental sustainability, other evidence shows that e$-$commerce is a more viable alternative. Weigh these conflicting perspectives to arrive at your own stance on the proliferation of supercenters and big box stores. Feel free to draw on additional research to defend your position. Make sure to cite your sources.

Debate and Defend:

In $5-10$ sentences, explain how you would vote. Defend your decision using evidence$-$based decision making.