Global Warming

Problems/Case Studies

The Petition: A Global Warming Case Study - Bruce Allen and Clyde F. Herreid, University at Buffalo. State University of New York at Buffalo's National Center for Case Study Teaching. The goal of this dilemma case study is to teach students about the various aspects of global warming. Students read graphs and interpret data, and consider the political, economic, and ethical issues surrounding the controversy.
The case would be appropriate for use in a variety of courses, including biology, geology, chemistry, physics, meteorology, economics, political science, and ethics.

Rising Temperatures, Differing Viewpoints: A Case Study on the Politics of Information - Christopher Hollister, University at Buffalo. State University of New York at Buffalo's National Center for Case Study Teaching
In this case students work in small groups to analyze and critically evaluate the often political nature of news stories. The case was developed from two newspaper articles published in different newspapers (New York Times and Wall Street Journal) about the release of an Environmental Protection Agency report on the state of the environment. While the New York Times article discusses White House editing of the report, which eliminated several references to the causes and dangers of global warming, the Wall Street Journal article focuses more on the report's evidence of environmental improvements.
The case was developed for an undergraduate information literacy course. Its subject matter also makes it suitable for use in undergraduate level courses in environmental studies, journalism, or political science.

 Is Iron Fertilization Good for the Sea? LeLeng To, Goucher College. State University of New York at Buffalo's National Center for Case Study Teaching
This case explores how human activities contribute to greenhouse effects and global warming.
This case is appropriate for introductory biology, ecology, environmental biology, microbiology, and environmental microbiology classes as well as courses dealing with environmental policy.

The Geritol Solution, by Deborah Allen, University of Delaware.  Modifications by John S. Peters, College of Charleston.  This problem deals with the notion of bioengineering our oceans on a massive scale in order to combat global warming.  The notion of fertilizing our oceans with iron to increase phytoplankton productivity so as to draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere was first proposed by John Martin at Woods Hole.  The purpose of the problem is for students to come up with recommendations for commercial ocean iron fertilization...that is, is this a possible cure for GW, or is it a potentially risky idea, that may not really work. 

This problem was adapted from D. Allen's Who Owns the Geritol Solution at the University of Deleware's PBL Clearinghouse.  Teaching notes can be found here.

Videos
 CNN Video Clips Global Warming: Environmental Science 5th Ed. CNN Ed (2:16 min)
In 1997, the United Nations established the Kyoto Protocol in an attempt to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Recently, however, President George W. Bush and his administration have indicated that the United States may no longer play a part in the Kyoto Protocol.  President Bush cites concerns that the U.S. participation in the Kyoto Protocol may weaken the U.S. economy.  Instead, President Bush proposes that the U.S. and other countries concentrate on doing more research on global warming and improving technology to reduce emissions.  U.S. business owners agree that the Bush administration should improve technology to reduce emissions.  Environmentalists, on the other hand, comment that the U.S. is responsible for 25% of air pollution worldwide, which may be responsible for global warming, and the Bush administration should take responsibility for emission reductions no matter what the cost.  At the next Kyoto meeting in Bonn, Germany, the Bush administration will be present for the conference; however, the fate of the Kyoto treaty now lies in the hands of Japan.  One of the many problems that officials at the United Nations are concerned with is how to enforce the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  If the Japanese government supports the treaty with Europe, then a decision may be made for global emission reduction without the influence of the U.S.  The worksheet includes the URL for the United Nations Environment Program.  (Student worksheet provided on CD)

Global Warming: Environmental Science 6th Ed. CNN Ed (3:08 min)
In 1997, The United Nations established the Kyoto Protocol in an attempt to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Recently, President George W. Bush and his administration indicated that the United States may no longer play a role in enforcing the Kyoto Protocol.  President Bush cites concerns that U.S. participation in the Kyoto Protocol may weaken the U.S. economy.  Instead, President Bush proposes that the U.S. and other countries focus on conducting more research on global warming and improving technology to reduce emissions.  U.S. business owners agree that the Bush administration should improve technology to reduce emissions.  Environmentalists, on the other hand, contend that the U.S. is responsible for over 36% of the greenhouse gas pollution worldwide, which may be responsible for global warming.  At the next Kyoto meeting in Bonn, Germany, the Bush administration will be present for the conference; however, the fate of the Kyoto treaty lies in the hands of Japan.  If the Japanese government supports the treaty with Europe, then a decision may be made for global emission reduction without the influence of the U.S.  The worksheet includes the URL for the CNN website.  (Student worksheet provided on CD)

Global Warming: Environmental Science 7th Ed. CNN Ed (1:57)
According to researchers, scientific evidence indicates that increasing amounts of greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere, which may in turn cause global warming to increase faster than originally thought. As a result of the changing temperatures, countries around the globe may begin to feel the effects from an increase in severe weather, hurricanes, floods, and droughts. In 1997, the United Nations established the Kyoto protocol in an attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the Bush administration recently terminated U.S. participation in the program, citing concerns for the economy. In addition to the recommendation that countries focus on conducting more research on global warming and improving technology to reduce emissions, the Bush administration created a new policy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 18% by offering tax incentives to businesses and industries in exchange for reducing their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by the year 2012. Many environmentalists are concerned that the plan will only slow the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, rather than reduce them all together.  (Student worksheet provided on CD)

Melting Glaciers: Environmental Science 7th Ed. CNN Ed(1:16)
According to the Journal of Science, research indicates that global temperatures are rising, but scientists are still uncertain as to whether rising temperatures are a result of increases in greenhouse gas emissions or part of Earth's natural cycle. Over the past 25 years, glaciers around the world have grown smaller. Researchers have found that glaciers are most at risk if surrounded by water; glaciers surrounded by land tend to recede at a slower rate. As global temperatures rise, researchers predict that the climate changes may cause further melting of the polar ice caps, increased sea levels, and flooding.  (Student worksheet provided on CD)

Global Extinction: Environmental Science 7th Ed. CNN Ed (1:42)
According to the Journal of Nature, scientific evidence indicates that it is likely that global warming is increasing faster than originally thought. Researchers predict Earth's global temperature could rise by a few degrees over the next 50 years, causing climate changes throughout the globe. As a result of the climate changes, Earth may experience changing weather patterns, further melting of polar ice caps, increasing sea levels, and flooding along coastlines. In addition, climate changes may cause a global extinction of nearly 1 million species, which equates to between 18 and 35% of the plant and animal species on Earth. Researchers conclude that the U.S. and other countries need to develop cleaner burning fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat the rise in global temperatures.  (Student worksheet provided on CD)

Glacial Melting: Biology 5th Ed. CNN Ed 2001 (2:06)
Aerial studies of the Pine Island Glacier in Western Antarctica have determined that the height of the glacier has dropped about 10 meters in the last 7 years.  This melting is estimated to have changed sea level by 0.5 mm. There are two possible scenarios for future change.  First, global warming could cause more snow to fall on the glacier, possibly causing the ice sheet to thicken.  Alternatively, the heat could contribute to a continued melt, which could eventually raise the sea level by meters. (Student worksheet provided on CD)

Articles
Visit the Ocean Iron Fertilization Issue page for articles on the science behind Ocean Iron Feritlization (a proposal to fertilize the oceans to combat global warming).

Icy Research Yields Clues to Warming - Neergaard, Lauran. Science Magazine.
This article describes information that scientists are able to extract from tiny air pockets in ice cores from Antarctica. They are able to attain data describing carbon dioxide levels dating back to more than 600,000 years. This is providing more evidence to counter critics who believe that the rise in carbon dioxide can be attributed to a naturally occurring fluctuation cycle.
Life Out of Step  Grossman, Daniel. Current Issues in Biology. Scientific American, Inc. January 2004. 44-53.
This article addresses the effect that global warming could be having on the relationships between species. The data is showing that plants are flowering earlier, and caterpillars are hatching earlier, which is effecting the food supply for the local birds. So far this seems to have little effect on the bird population. There is evidence of global warming impacting penguin populations in the Antarctic. The population has declined by 70% in the past 30 years. The different responses to global warming will leave altered ecosystems. This article is followed by a comprehension quiz and critical thinking questions.

Katrina Heats Up the Debate in Global Warming's Effects  Post and Courier. 22 September 2005.
No Sweat: SC was actually a Little Cool Last Year" Peterson, Bo. The Post and Courier. 5 March 2006.
This article touches on the fact that global warming will effect areas differently. It addresses the fact the inland SC experienced a 1 degree cooling trend, but on the coast it was 4 degrees warmer. The article also shows that scientist are not sure if there will be an increase in temperature or heat index.

Tiny Pine Beetles Wiping Out Forests  Struck, Doug, The Washington Post. 5 March 2006.
Canadian forests are under attack by a tiny pine beetle. The range of attack is increasing and the beetle is now being seen in places that it had never been in previously. This change is probably due to the increased warmth in the climate caused by global warming. The winter is no longer severe enough to kill off the beetle.

Permafrost gases pose climate hazard. Seth Borenstein AP Post and Courier Sept 7, 2006
Permafrost harbors global warming gases that are escaping from the ground at an alarming rate. Most of the permafrost is in Siberia.  The amount of trapped carbon in the permafrost could be 100 times the carbon released each year by fossil fuels, having an volatile impact to global warming. 

Icy research yields clues to warming:  Discoveries in ancient air bubbles chilling.  Neergaard, Lauren.  (Associated Press). 
Analysis of air bubble sin Antarctic ice that are millions of years old proves that humans have had a dramatic effect on the buildup of greenhouse gases, leading to global warming.

Dirty Sky might help cool planet.  Hanley, Charles.  Post and Courier.  November 17, 2006.
The shade on Earth is a layer of pollution that could deliberately be put there to overcome global warming.  Crutzen's idea is one of several geoengineering proposals on the table to deal with global warming.  The United States is the biggest emitter of heat-trapping gases, rejecting the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to reduce emissions.  The idea is somewhat supported by a previous occurrence of the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991.  So much volcanic debris entered the atmosphere that it is believed to have cooled the Earth by 0.9 degrees for one year. 

Ocean acidification due to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide. June 2005.  The Royal Society.
"The oceans are absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and this is causing chemical changes by making them more acidic.  In the past 200 years the oceans have absorbed approximately half of the carbon dioxide produced by fossil fuel burning and cement production. "  The full-length report gives detailed information about ocean acidification.

Sea creatures' global warming fix.  Bentley, M.  BBC News, Dec 13,  2006.
"A simple sea creature could help to address the problem of global warming, a scientist claims. Tiny tube-like salps mop up greenhouse gases by feasting on carbon-dioxide soaked algae from the oceans. The US researcher told an American Geophysical Union meeting of his plans to adjust nutrient levels in the ocean to boost the sea animal's populations. But other scientists warned of the unknown consequences of meddling with the ocean's complex ecosystem. "

Ocean World Online Resource Useful student topics links include:  fisheries, weather, forams, icebergs, coral reefs, JASON-1, iceages, satellites, waves, el nino, and currents.  Real-time data can be accessed, along with oceanography resources. 

EPA global warming search site  This is a starting point for research concerning global warming.  Links to helpful resources are on this homepage.

Global Warming:  Is it real?  This site includes lecture notes addressing global warming.  Helpful links are incorporated into teh lecture.  Effective questioning has students assess the "reality" of global warming.  There is an emphasis on the chemistry of global warming.

Shutting down the oceans Institute of Science in Society.  June  26, 2006.
The article addresses ocean acidity, the impact on food chains, and dire predictions. 

Federation of American Scientists  This searchable site offers links to useful articles.  Also, a helpful subject guide is located on the left-hand side of the screen for topic-related searches such as energy and the environment, information technology for learning and research, and strategic security.

SeaWiFS project by NASA
This interactive site gives detailed images and important data presentations of the SeaWiFS spacecraft.  "The purpose of the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) Project is to provide quantitative data on global ocean bio-optical properties to the Earth science community. Subtle changes in ocean color signify various types and quantities of marine phytoplankton (microscopic marine plants), the knowledge of which has both scientific and practical applications. The SeaWiFS Project will develop and operate a research data system that will process, calibrate, validate, archive and distribute data received from an Earth-orbiting ocean color sensor."

Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis - Summary for Policy Makers - Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC.


Articles in "Taking Sides"

Should Society Act Now to Halt Global Warming? Easton, Thomas. Taking Sides: Science, Technology, and Society, sixth edition.
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Should Society Act Now to Forestall Global Warming?  Easton, Thomas. Taking Sides: Environmental Issues, eleventh edition.

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Should the US be doing more to combat global warming?.  Easton, TA.  Taking Sides:  Clashing views on environmental issues, twelfth edition.  2007 McGraw-Hill, p.152-169.

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