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Transcript of Global Warming: Problems and Solutionslan/globalwarming/logistics.pdf · zGreenhouse effect zFloods...
Global Warming:Problems and Solutions
Geography 98/198Fall 2007
www.decal.org/globalwarming
What is Global Warming?
What do you think when you hear “global warming”?
CO2 emissionMelting glaciersRising sea levelGreenhouse effectFloods / droughtsHeat wavesOil addictionDecreasing biodiversityPolar bears dyingSevere hurricanesAn Inconvenient Truth
Hockey stick figureIce cores recordsKyoto ProtocolIPCCAlternative Energy: solar panels; windmills; hydro-electric; hydrogen powerCompact florescent bulbsHybrid carsBuying carbon creditEmission standards
Introduction
Valerie Jaffee
Major / Minors:Political Science Spanish & Conservation and
Resources Studies
Background/Interest:*environmental policy*governmental mitigation*sustainable living
Angie Lee
Majors: Forestry; Conservation and
Resources Study
Background/Interest:*trees … duh*city planning for sustainable
development*cross-dating increment cores*love to ☺
Lan Ma
Majors: Atmospheric Science;
Integrative Biology
Background/Interest:*atmosphere-biosphere
interactions (trace gases and energy fluxes)
*atmospheric dynamics*hydro-meteorology
Prof. John Chiang
Assistant Professor (Dept. of Geography)
Classes:*Climate Dynamics*Global Warming*Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics*Global Environmental Change *Topics in Climatology
About this class
Course Structure
First part:* Instruction on the scheduled topics by course facilitators or guest speakers* Movie screeningSecond part:* Group and class discussion* Hands-on experiments
Course Description
This course will be divided into three parts:1) Physical science and ecological impact2) Governmental mitigation3) Individual action; green business, and environmental organizations
Course Description
This course will be divided into three parts:1) Physical science and ecological impact* How do we calculate the Earth’s surface temperature?
* What makes a gas a greenhouse gas and how does the greenhouse effect make us warm?
* What are the sources, the fate, and sinks of carbon?
* How is GW affecting the biosphere?
* Compare with climate skeptics – what are the facts and controversies?
Course Description
This course will be divided into three parts:2) Governmental mitigation* What is the Kyoto Protocol and should developing countries follow the same standard?
* What is in the IPCC report?
* What are some US environmental policies / regulations?
* How do Europeans live more sustainably?
Course Description
This course will be divided into three parts:3) Individual action; green business, and environmental organizations* What are some simple and effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint- from daily habits to living more green?
* What are some examples of green business?
* How you can get involved in your community?
Reading
Reading for the course will be available in electronic format on the course websitePlease do the assigned reading before coming to class and be prepared for discussion
Assignments
Discussion write-upPhoto Journalsurvey your friends about global warming
play with a climate modelcalculate your carbon footprint
Plant a Tree (extra credit)
Assignments
Discussion write-upThe small group discussion during the second half of each class meeting is targeted for students to develop their intuition on either the topic introduced in the first half of the class or the previous homework assignment. Students will be in groups of 5 or 6 and one of them will be a reporter for the group. The reporter will summarize the group discussion to the class as well as writing up a one-page report due the following week. The role of the reporter will rotate and in the end each student will be the reporter at least once.
Assignments
Photo JournalStudents will take or draw pictures that reflect the different aspects of global warming as we cover them in class. Each picture should also have short description (less than 100 words). Be creative!
Here are some examples…
Making Global Warming Visible
Angie LeeSample Photo Journal
Global Warming: Problems and Solutions
Eco-art festival, Berkeley City College
Addressing global warming through the use of art.
The image of polar bear looking for a resting place makes people think about the impact of global warming.
Black Forest/ Public Transportation Building
Freiburg, Germany
Alternative renewable energy produces lower carbon emission and reduces the use of fossil fuels.
Also, alternative energy infrastructures are visible and serve the purpose of raising people’s awareness of the environment.
Earth Week 07’, UC Berkeley
ClimateChangeEducation.Org educating people about the science of climate change at EarthWeek.
Educating the public is important. When people are aware of the problem, they want to be part of the solution.
Cal Day 06’ & 07’, UC Berkeley
Cal Forestry Club distributing seedlings at Cal Day, encouraging people to plant trees.
Perhaps planting a tree yourself is the best way to learn about the importance of protecting our environment. Besides, trees can perform carbon sequestration, reduce pollution and make our world beautiful.
Forestry Camp 06’, Sierra Nevada
A typical class day at Forestry Camp. Professor Joe McBride teaching the class about the ecology of the Sierra Nevada
It is through seeing that we understand our environment. Global warming is not only affecting human beings, but also plants, insects, and animals.
EarthWeek 07’, UC Berkeley
Numerous campus groups tabling at Earth Week. The common goal is to make people aware of the environmental issues that we are currently facing.
Now that we know global warming is happening, are we ready to do something?
Valerie Jaffee
Sample Photo Journal
Global Warming: Problems and Solutions
A Little Earth Love
Road sign with graffiti in Southside Berkeley
Significantly reducing our greenhouse gas emissions will require dramatic changes in the American lifestyle. Some of the privileges we now enjoy, such as driving half a mile to the grocery store, must be reduced, abandoned, or made more efficient by advanced technologies.
San Francisco Chronicle front page headline fromSeptember 8, 2007
Global warming threatens countless species who will be unable toadapt to warmer temperatures, reduced habitats, and altered food sources. Polar bears face Endangered Species status and possible extinction as a result of melting Arctic sea ice.
Reusable plastic andstainless steel waterbottles
While recycling practices are gaining in popularity, we can reduce waste and fossil fuels used in recycling by avoiding purchasing disposable plastic water bottles. Instead, reusable stainless steel or plastic water bottles can be filled with tap water and enjoyed indefinitely!
Flyer on Upper Sproul Plaza, September 8, 2007
While a huge majority of scientists agree that global warming is a real phenomenon caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, skeptics claim that there is no scientific consensus. No more time can be wasted contesting the scientific evidence of climate change. We need to act now.
BART train, 2007
An advertisement on a BART train, encouraging people to take public transit to work instead of driving. You can save money and spare the air!
Lan’s birthday gift! (Aug. 07’)
If you do not have access to a camera, you can still show off your artistic talent with this photo journal.
Assignments
Survey your friends about global warmingHow well is public educated about GW?
Play with a climate modelWhat is the warming trend regionally and globally? What governs such trends?
Calculate your carbon footprintWhat is your carbon contribution and what can you do to reduce that?
Assignments
Plant a Tree (extra credit & FUN!)On two weekends we will partner up with either Friends of the Urban Forest (SF) or Urban Releaf (Oakland) to plant some trees in the city neighborhood. Participation is voluntary but strongly encouraged; this will be a fun-filled event as well as a great learning experience.
Evaluation Procedure
AttendanceNo more than two absences allowed
AssignmentsMust be turned in on time so to stay active with class material and discussion
Participation
Expectation
Respectallow everyone to have the right to speak; engage in peaceful and respectful debates
Good work ethics
keep your works original
Genuine interestbe interested; come in with a positive attitude
SurveyINTERVIEWEE INFORMATION Age group: Occupation:
<20 20-30 30-40 40-50 >50 _____________________________ When did you first hear the term “global warming”?
>20 years ago >10 years ago > 5 years ago A couple of years ago This year Never heard of it I have heard of “global cooling”
What is your main source of information about global warming?
Scientific articles / magazines General news media (specify: _____________________) Friends / family Classroom (what institute: ___________________________ ) Others (specify: ________________________ )
1. 20th century global warming is (Check all that apply):
The natural variation of the earth’s surface temperature due to Earth’s orbit around the sun A warming trend of temperature increase due human input of greenhouse gases Propaganda by environmental hippies (or a hoax)
2. What are some examples of greenhouse gases (GHGs)? How important do you think they are to the Earth’s surface temperature? (Check all that apply)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) Methane (CH4) Chloroflorocarbons (CFCs) Water Vapor (H2O) Oxygen gas (O2) Nitrogen gas (N2) – 78% of atmosphere GHGs are extremely important to maintain a sustainable temperature (can’t live without it) GHGs are moderately important; might be a little cooler without it, but we’ll do GHGs are bad for the environment; we should completely get rid of them!
4. What are some direct consequences of global warming? (Check all that apply)
Rising sea level Retreating glaciers More sunspots Population growth Redistribution of precipitation Ice age (“Day After Dying polar bears Increased volcanic activity Tomorrow”)
3. What is the IPCC?
The Initiative to Prevent Climate Catastrophe The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change The International Partnership for Carbon Consumption
5. Which of the following is not powered by fossil fuels?
Television Gas stove Automobile All are powered by fossil fuels.
6. What are some possible ways to reduce your carbon footprint (to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions)? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Application
Name __________________ SID _____________Year _______ Major__________Contact Phone # ____________ E-mail ______________
Taking the class as Geography 98 or 198? (You get 2 units for either one) _________
1. Why do you want to take this class? What do you hope to learn from this class?Note: It’s perfectly fine if you currently do not know anything about global warming.
2. List any class or organization-based experience you have had with environmental issues such as global warming.
¿Questions?
Something to chew on…
If we cannot predict the weather for more than 10 days, why should believe in models that predict our climate 50 years from now?