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HONR 229L: Climate Change: Science, Economics, and Governance
Roadmaps for Success or Failure
Your name here
26 September 2016
Copyright © 2016 University of Maryland.
This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch.
1
Describe the four “road map of factors contributing to failures of group decision
making” outlined at the start of Chapter 14
Consider giving an example for each of these factors from the book, and providing
another example, of your own, for each of these four based on modern society
Be sure to ask the class to provide their own examples 
Copyright © 2016 University of Maryland.
This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch.
2
Diamond states “the commonest circumstance under which societies fail to perceive
a problem is when it takes the form of a slow trend concealed by wide up-and-down
fluctuations”
Prepare a few slides on this matter, using global warming (can rely on info in the
reading for this *or* can supplement with your own info) as well as any other
examples you’d like to use (i.e., can use Rapa Nui and/or Maya, can use other
modern examples … whatever you’d like!)
Should also be able to elicit lots of discussion here !
Copyright © 2016 University of Maryland.
This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch.
3
Diamond uses the terms “tragedy of the commons” and “crowd psychology”
Briefly describe these terms and provide a few examples, drawn from the book (or
history) as well as from your own personal experience
Also, yet again a great discussion point. Be sure to ask class for their own
examples
Copyright © 2016 University of Maryland.
This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch.
4
In the middle of a paragraph on page 437, Diamond writes about the Dusky Seaside
Sparrow of Florida
Relate the sad story of the Dusky Seaside Sparrow to what might happen to modern
society, if action is not taken soon to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Feel
free to work the concept sunk-cost effect, define top of page 432, into your
description
(i.e., lead a discussion of this AT question)
Copyright © 2016 University of Maryland.
This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch.
5
On the top of page 430, Diamond writes “clashes of interest involving irrational
behavior are also prone to arise when the principal consumer has no long-term
stake in preserving the resource but society as a whole does”
(my emphasis)
Prepare a slide that gives this phrase, then list some real world, modern examples
of this type of “clash”
Try to get the class give their own examples and also to focus on how society can
overcome these types of conflicts
Copyright © 2016 University of Maryland.
This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch.
6
Provide examples where the rational behavior on the part of one group could
translate into disastrous situation for society:
1) one example from the book
2) another example from your real world experience (or understanding of
modern events)
Try to get the class give their own examples and also to focus on how society can
overcome these types of conflicts
Note: feel free to combine with prior slide, re-arrange order, etc as you see fit
Copyright © 2016 University of Maryland.
This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch.
7
Provide two examples of a society's successful solution of a vexing problem:
1) one drawn from this chapter (or prior chapters)
2) another drawn from your own experience (or understanding of history)
and state the key decision essential for the society to overcome the problem.
Great if for your slides, your examples here are different issues than the examples
on the prior slide. In other words, try to broaden rather than narrow the discussion.
And ... this is only a suggestion.
Again, be sure to ask the class for their own examples
Copyright © 2016 University of Maryland.
This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch.
8
Copyright © 2016 University of Maryland.
This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch.
9