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Seminar Session 1
Break up into your discussion groups.
11am-11:30am
Discuss within your groups on papers you read. What was
interesting, what questions did you have, etc.
11:30am-End of Class
Discuss as a class a few good questions from seminar
papers.
Make sure you have a leader who will take notes on
discussion within your groups. Every group members name
needs to be on the notes when they hand it in.
Questions
Is it even possible for humans to drastically geo-engineer the earth’s climate in a short
time frame without completely destroying the earth? We have tried some controls
before, like cloud seeding, with mixed results. How can everyone on the planet be
pleased with the change?
Why not use an existing global climate change organization instead of creating yet another
new panel with new red tape? Could very populous countries steam-roller the
committee and implement plans that would best bolster their own economy, while
harming others? What about nations that we are not so friendly with?
How far would climate change need to advance before most climate scientists would turn
to geoengineering as a last-‐ditch effort to avoid catastrophic impacts?
With all of this information, how and what do we teach to the general public, as well as
work toward a common goal?
How much of the geo-engineering plans are a scientific debate versus a socio-economic
debate? Is it morally sound to attempt and control the largest energy source of Earth?
Is it morally sound to attempt and control the largest energy source of Earth?
Questions 1
Is it even possible for humans to drastically geo-engineer the earth’s climate in a short time
frame without completely destroying the earth? We have tried some controls before,
like cloud seeding, with mixed results. How can everyone on the planet be pleased with
the change?
Not everyone can be pleased – hard to please th ewhole world, and there would be
negative impacts.
At what point would we want to use the methods – may not occur until people feel it
directly affects them.
Question 2
Why not use an existing global climate change organization instead of creating yet another
new panel with new red tape? Could very populous countries steam-roller the committee
and implement plans that would best bolster their own economy, while harming others?
What about nations that we are not so friendly with?
Maybe the IPCC could take on that role, or a subset of it? Countries with a higher economic
status could put forth more money into an issue, could control the issue. Example, small
island countries potentially getting wiped out – do they have any influence andc is there
any just compensation?
Question 3
How far would climate change need to advance before most climate scientists would turn to
geoengineering as a last-‐ditch effort to avoid catastrophic impacts?
Depends on who is being affected? How close to home is the impact? Who complains the
loudest and controls the process more, perhaps by more money. Definition of a disaster
depends on different viewpoints.
Question 4
With all of this information, how and what do we teach to the general public, as well as work
toward a common goal?
Smaller steps – education at a younger age – e.g., sections on climate change in classes.
Implementation of forestry percentages – to protect or increase forests.
Question 5
How much of the geo-engineering plans are a scientific debate versus a socio-economic
debate? Is it morally sound to attempt and control the largest energy source of Earth?
How much a country emits, the more they pay – take responsibility or accountability for
actions. What gets tackled more – cleaner energy from existing sources or bigger issues
(like controling the sun)?