Global Warming and Climate Change

A feature at the American RadioWorks web site caught your attention. Reports from a Warming Planet
describes the effects of global warming that are being felt all over the planet.

• You check out the CSPAN Archive to watch discussions on climate change issues.
  (Use the site search engine to locate available resources.)
  
• Debating "Global Warming".
• NOAA Reports 2006 Warmest Year on Record for U.S.
• Nature on global warming
• Steve Chu, U.S. Secretary of Energy, discusses global warming
• Union of Concerned Scientists
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
• U.N. Global Warming consensus podcast Cato
• Climate Connections at NGS
• Scientific Assessment of the Effects of Global Change on the United States Summary and Findings
• Who killed the electric car? - watch this video
• Learn about clean coal technology
• US Senate Hearing on Energy Security - multiple plans and issues discussed
• The Encyclopedia of Earth - Climate Change Resources
• How to track Federal Legislation using THOMAS
• Capturing Carbon

Conduct a survey of your class.

Do you think people's actions are causing global warming?

Explore some examples of the consequences of a prolonged rising temperature of the earth.

Examine why/how it is a problem.

 

What consequence does this process have for the common citizen or your community?

Actions:

Write a letter regarding this issue to one of the individuals that represent you in the U.S. Congress.

Tell them how you feel about this issue and what you believe should be done about it. Endeavor to cite
specific examples that relate to your community. Point to their previous voting record on relevant issues.

Your challenges include: finding their office address, using the correct salutation including title,
as well as, following appropriate business letter writing format.

*Many elected officials have an email form/link in their web site. It is reasonable to use this, in lieu of paper and postage, but format and style expectations remain the same. Write the letter in word processing. Edit it as needed.
Then copy .. paste it into the email form. Some have a maximum character limit to the emails.
If that is the case, write the formal letter. Then drop the address heading and date from it in the email.

OR Be a part of the change.

Your America: Take action resources

Look around your community or school campus. Identify an action that will contribute to mitigating the effects of global warming. It does not need to be a big action. Craft a plan regarding the action. Appeal to your community leaders, the memebrs of your family, the members of a club you below to, your student council, your school's administration and/or your school board to make the change.

Or Carbon Sequestration

Explain carbon sequestration and its role in climate change. How could your community get involved in carbon sequestration?

Set a SMART goal - (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results oriented, Time related.)

Or Make a VE video about the global warming issue.
(VE Rating - Very educational making a strong use of data and critical thinking skills.) Excellent examples: Requiem for the Honeybee from Charles Greene CSPAN Student Cam project, Down to the Last DROP from Madison Richards CSPAN Student Cam project

Further thinking:

The Yes Men - Examine this approach to dealing with the problem/issue.

Examples on : WTO/GATT | Dow- Union Carbide | Ice Age Petition How to's for iMovie software

The number one cause of global warming isn't cars, but buildings.

Resources:

Look into the story of Sarah Josepha Hale. Her letter writing campaign is important to us every November.
Or consider the advocacies of Anna Jarvis and Rachel Carson. Picking Letters, 10 a Day, That Reach Obama
Kids’ letter campaign spells end for green beans

Jobs related - The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for Surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and surveying technicians grew by 21% in 2006 Much faster than average growth. Increasing demand for fast, accurate, and complete geographic information is expected to lead to new jobs for these workers.

Geoscientists jobs grew by 22% in 2006. Much faster than average growth. The need for energy, environmental protection, and land and water management is expected to spur growth. Those with a master’s degree should have excellent opportunities, especially in the management, scientific, and technical consulting industry. Budget constraints are expected to limit opportunities in governments.