Refresher, What is Global Climate Change?

• Global Warming/Greenhouse Effect Animation

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:

1. What specific topic do I want to research?

2. Who is my audience?

3. 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! 

A very brief list of possible topics

2. You will then need to pick a format to present your ideas, THINK BIG.

Possibilities include, but are not limited to:

No matter what you choose your first step should be to research your topic.  Your time doing research should be used efficiently to find out as much as you can about your topic.  There will be time in class to gather data online and to work in a group.

1. Select which topic(s) your group is interested in working on.
2. Brainstorm a few ideas of how you could present your ideas.
3. 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