Download Study Guide - Unit 3 - Environmental Issues

CWI Study Guide – Unit Three
(revised 5/2014)
Environmental Issues
Part 1 – Journal Entry – As part of this social studies course, you will study
the political/economic/scientific controversy surrounding environmental
issues, and form your own conclusions in an essay for part 2.
Go to the following sites to explore each of these questions, write your responses in your journal
and discuss them with your advisor.
1. Link to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and summarize several
changes Denmark has been making to become independent of fossil fuels by 2050.
2. The majority of scientists view global warming as a man-made event, but a sizeable
minority disagree. Read the following impartially presented pro / con information as
well as the “background” info that follows, and summarize the pro/con reasons.
http://climatechange.procon.org/ Which side seems to have the stronger arguments?
Why do you think so? State any flaws in logic presented by either side. Explain.
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/Science/Forests_And_Sinks.asp
http://www.koshlandsciencemuseum.org/exhibitgcc/index.jsp
3. What is global warming?
4. What is carbon? What are the natural and manmade sources of carbon in the
atmosphere?
5. According to this source, what does carbon have to do with global warming?
6. What is the difference between carbon from fossil fuels, and carbon from wood?
7. How can global warming be stopped?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002549346_globewarm11.html,
8. According to this source, what are some of the possible consequences of global
warming?
http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_3_1.htm
9. How is the Earth’s atmosphere similar to a greenhouse?
http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/page.cfm?tagID=135
51 Things You Can Do to Make a Difference
10. What can you do to make a difference about global warming?
http://www.nativeenergy.com/carbon_calculator_both.htm
11. What’s the main idea of the carbon footprint calculator? What was your score?
12. Make your best guess about your “ecological footprint”? http://www.myfootprint.org/
PART 2. Write a Speech
From the scientific majority’s point of view, the world puts out too many carbon emissions. The
U.S. has the biggest economy in the history of the world, and is responsible for 1/3 of all the
carbon emissions. On average, each U.S. citizen uses ten times the energy as people in
developing regions (Africa, for example). Meanwhile, China and India, with nearly 1/2 the
world’s population, are quickly modernizing, which means these countries will begin to consume
resources like the U.S.. Is there a way to modernize that doesn’t worsen pollution and habitat
destruction, change the climate, or cause species to go extinct?
From the scientific minority’s point of view, climate change is mostly natural, not man-made.
$99 billion has been spent by the U.S. government to fund research about climate change and its
causes. Scientists who do not believe climate change is human-caused are often denied
government funding for their studies. If the skeptics are correct, this money is largely being
wasted.
Take the role of a consultant working for the United Nations Environment Program. You’ve
been asked to give a speech to world leaders, especially those from the most populated countries,
in which you explain your ideas about the subject of global warming and environmental
health. Choose a position and in 500 words, persuasively outline your three main strategies
or points.