Instruction
Climate science is one of those areas of the natural sciences that is heavily politicized. Gas and oil companies have a vested interest in convincing the public that greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels have a limited impact on climate, while environmental organizations have a vested interest in convincing the public that our consumption patterns are killing us all.
The following Youtube video is a clip from CNN's Crossfire, a news media show that debates topics in the news (rather than simply reporting the facts). Watch the video clip, paying particular attention to the language used to discuss climate change and climate scientists, the responses provided by science ambassador Bill Nye, and the host's use of statistics to support her point.
Climate Change in the Media Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUjx2lChTMQ
Write a short (3 to 4 paragraph) essay evaluating the media's reporting on Global Climate Change using this video as your example. What pitfalls can you identify with this approach to reporting science in the media? Review your Statistics in the Media assignment to refresh your memory about the proper interpretation of statistics and the What is Science video in Connect to refresh your memory about some common pitfalls when science is reported in the popular media.
For this essay, each paragraph should average 4 to 5 full sentences. I'm looking for a complete, well thought out essay here. Be thorough and descriptive in your essay and be sure to draw on the materials covered in the course directly. For full points, you should not simply write an opinion piece - you must back up your opinions with facts derived from the video and your readings and assignments.
Assignment#2
You have nearly completed an entire course surveying the Earth sciences. You have learned an immense amount about the various components of the Earth system and have applied that knowledge in a variety of lab, quiz, and writing assignments. Recently, the U.S. National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee (NCA) released a report stating that the United States is already being impacted by global climate change. To review highlights from that report (by region) or download the full report, click here:
NCA Report on Climate Change
https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/
For this final reflective essay, I would like you to write a 5 to 6 paragraph essay answering the following questions:
Is climate change real?
Is climate change human-induced?
Draw on your knowledge of the Earth sciences when answering these questions. Provide a substantive argument that utilizes data and information you have learned in this course to support your argument. Provide citations for these data within the body of the essay.
This is the final essay of the course, and I expect it to be a substantive one. Each paragraph should average 4 to 5 full sentences. I'm looking for a complete, well thought out essay here. Be thorough and descriptive in your essay and be sure to draw on the materials covered in the course directly. For full points, you should not simply write an opinion piece - you must back up your opinions with facts derived from the report and your readings and assignments.