Global Climate Change
Global Climate Change Assignment:
The issue of global warming and the possible effects of climate change are complex, controversial and exceptionally important. Recently Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) likened the issues of reducing our consumption of fossil fuels, decreasing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing our use of renewable resources, to the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. Like young people in that generation you have the choice to sit back and let the actions of others decide the future or you can immerse yourself in the debate by educating yourself on the issue and acting locally to solve problems globally. Hundreds of volunteers in 1961 became Freedom Riders by riding buses into the segregated south to test desegregation laws. Others organized sit-ins at segregated lunch counters or marched through our nation’s capital in the name of justice. How important is this problem? Many have argued that issues ranging from the health of our environment to the security of our country hinge on the energy choices we make today and in the future.
In this assignment my aim is to get you engaged in a real life issue, one that has the potential to affect the lives of every member of the global community, one that could change the climate of recent history. The progress you make is directly related to the time, creativity, effort, and care that you put into this assignment.
The effects of climate change and the steps, if any, that our country should take to combat it are currently being debated in Congress. Recently the American people, who just a few years ago were split on whether or not climate change was occurring, are increasingly voicing their desire for our government to take action.
Because the topic is so broad you have the freedom to make many decisions about how you’d like to study and how you would like to pursue it. Your decisions should be well thought out, should ultimately educate others, and should problem solve or provide insight into a specific problem. No matter what you choose or what you present, your sources should be well identified as they are directly accountable for the validity of your presentation.
- Both Sides: Climate Change at: ProCon.org
- Pro Warming: Global Warming and Climate Change Myths
- Pro No Warming: Sorry Global Warming Alarmists, The Earth Is Cooling
Global Climate Change Assignment:
The issue of global warming and the possible effects of climate change are complex, controversial and exceptionally important. Recently Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) likened the issues of reducing our consumption of fossil fuels, decreasing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing our use of renewable resources, to the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. Like young people in that generation you have the choice to sit back and let the actions of others decide the future or you can immerse yourself in the debate by educating yourself on the issue and acting locally to solve problems globally. Hundreds of volunteers in 1961 became Freedom Riders by riding buses into the segregated south to test desegregation laws. Others organized sit-ins at segregated lunch counters or marched through our nation’s capital in the name of justice. How important is this problem? Many have argued that issues ranging from the health of our environment to the security of our country hinge on the energy choices we make today and in the future.
In this assignment my aim is to get you engaged in a real life issue, one that has the potential to affect the lives of every member of the global community, one that could change the climate of recent history. The progress you make is directly related to the time, creativity, effort, and care that you put into this assignment.
The effects of climate change and the steps, if any, that our country should take to combat it are currently being debated in Congress. Recently the American people, who just a few years ago were split on whether or not climate change was occurring, are increasingly voicing their desire for our government to take action.
Because the topic is so broad you have the freedom to make many decisions about how you’d like to study and how you would like to pursue it. Your decisions should be well thought out, should ultimately educate others, and should problem solve or provide insight into a specific problem. No matter what you choose or what you present, your sources should be well identified as they are directly accountable for the validity of your presentation.
How do I begin? You need 3 main questions answered:
Pick a SPECIFIC topic. Global Warming is NOT a topic, the effect of Global Warming on XXXXXX is!!! Be specific in your choices! I'm open to many possibilities! See below for a list of possible topics.
Your World, Your Decisions:
Since you will likely experience the effects of this issue firsthand throughout the rest of your life you will be given the freedom to select:
· The timeframe of your project
· The number of participants in your group
· Your role
· Your subject
· Your means of presentation
· Your audience
· How you will be evaluated
- What specific topic do I want to research?
- Who is my audience?
- How am I going to present my topic to my audience?
Pick a SPECIFIC topic. Global Warming is NOT a topic, the effect of Global Warming on XXXXXX is!!! Be specific in your choices! I'm open to many possibilities! See below for a list of possible topics.
- You will then need to pick a format to present your ideas, THINK BIG.
- an educational presentation in your local community
- a presentation of the facts to your schoolmates
- an educational documentary film
- an editorial in the local press
- a creative work of art
- creating a lesson for elementary students
- putting up a bulletin board in school
- setting up a class demonstration
- designing an educational game
- community service project
- writing a children’s book
- “Global Warming” the musical/play/song
- Ground level action plan for HarwoodUnionHigh School
- Letters to/Lobbying Congress for answers
- Select which topic(s) your group is interested in working on.
- Brainstorm a few ideas of how you could present your ideas.
- Your group needs to write and hand in a proposal outlining your ideas before you get started.
Your World, Your Decisions:
Since you will likely experience the effects of this issue firsthand throughout the rest of your life you will be given the freedom to select:
· The timeframe of your project
· The number of participants in your group
· Your role
· Your subject
· Your means of presentation
· Your audience
· How you will be evaluated
Global Warming Example Topics
Is Global Warming real?
-what type of evidence exists to suggest that it is occuring on earth?
-what arguments do some make to suggest that it is not occuring on earth?
Scientific evidence for climate change
-what does the scientific community have to say about climate change?
Causes of global warming/sources of greenhouse gases
-why is climate change a problem
-specific causes or "Carbon Sources" that have led to global warming
Solutions: What is/can be done to reduce carbon emissions and reverse climate change?
Is it too late? What evidence exists to suggest that the problem can/can't be fixed?
Present/future effects of global warming on the world
-this is limitless, many have argued climate change is causing a domino effect worldwide, some of these problems include:
Effects of global warming on large communities
-asthma, allergies and air quality
-global disease epidemics
-forests
-animals
-war for oil
-rising sea levels
-storm activity
-melting sea ice
How will our local community be affected?
-maple sugaring operations
-tourism
What are some alternatives to burning fossil fuels?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of these fuels?
-nuclear
-biodiesel
-methane
-solar power
-ethanol
-wind power
-geothermal
-hydrogen power
-tidal power
-clean coal technology
Global Warming/Climate Change in politics
-what do specific candidates/political parties have to say about the issue and possible solutions?
Global Warming in religion
History of Climate Change:
-Industrial Revolution
-Internal Combustion (gasoline) Engine
-Peak Oil
-Fuel Efficiency Standards
-Kyoto Protocol
Is Global Warming real?
-what type of evidence exists to suggest that it is occuring on earth?
-what arguments do some make to suggest that it is not occuring on earth?
Scientific evidence for climate change
-what does the scientific community have to say about climate change?
Causes of global warming/sources of greenhouse gases
-why is climate change a problem
-specific causes or "Carbon Sources" that have led to global warming
Solutions: What is/can be done to reduce carbon emissions and reverse climate change?
Is it too late? What evidence exists to suggest that the problem can/can't be fixed?
Present/future effects of global warming on the world
-this is limitless, many have argued climate change is causing a domino effect worldwide, some of these problems include:
Effects of global warming on large communities
-asthma, allergies and air quality
-global disease epidemics
-forests
-animals
-war for oil
-rising sea levels
-storm activity
-melting sea ice
How will our local community be affected?
-maple sugaring operations
-tourism
What are some alternatives to burning fossil fuels?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of these fuels?
-nuclear
-biodiesel
-methane
-solar power
-ethanol
-wind power
-geothermal
-hydrogen power
-tidal power
-clean coal technology
Global Warming/Climate Change in politics
-what do specific candidates/political parties have to say about the issue and possible solutions?
Global Warming in religion
History of Climate Change:
-Industrial Revolution
-Internal Combustion (gasoline) Engine
-Peak Oil
-Fuel Efficiency Standards
-Kyoto Protocol