C389 Task 1

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Western Governors University *

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C389

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Geography

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Apr 3, 2024

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pdf

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Science, Technology, and Society (C389) 1 Task 1: Scientific Research A1. Problem Statement. Describe global climate change and why this is a socially relevant scientific issue. According to NASA (2020), global climate change refers to the swift alteration of the Earth's climate on a worldwide scale. Earth-orbiting satellites provide evidence through time-stamped signals of the ongoing climate transformation (NASA). Carbon dioxide and other gasses present in the atmosphere possess properties that trap heat. The Earth has experienced a global temperature increase of at least 2.05 degrees in the past century, primarily attributed to the elevated levels of carbon dioxide and human-generated emissions lingering in the atmosphere. The key contributors to the greenhouse effect are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. The majority of human-emitted carbon dioxide molecules originate from the burning of oil, coal, and natural gas, which is prevalent in vehicles and airplanes (National Geographic, 2019). Deforestation serves as a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions. Trees play a crucial role in absorbing CO2, and when they are cut down, the subsequent decay releases additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Depletion of these essential trees contributes to the prolonged presence of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere (National Geographic, 2019). Due to Earth experiencing elevated temperatures, we are witnessing a warming of the ocean. Spanning over 70% of the Earth's surface and holding approximately 97% of the planet's water, the ocean plays a crucial role in absorbing a substantial amount of Earth's CO2. The populations of algae and plankton, situated at the base of the ocean's food chain, face threats from global warming as they thrive in colder temperatures. If the warming trend persists and leads to the decline of these essential populations, it will have profound consequences on the entire oceanic food web (National Geographic, 2019). Accelerated melting of ice caps and glaciers, driven by the warming climate, is causing rising sea levels. As the Earth's ocean absorbs heat, the warmed water speeds up ice melt, posing a significant threat to coastal areas with increased risks of storms and floods. This forces people to relocate to safer areas. Inland regions also face consequences, such as the contamination of soil and water with salt due to rising sea levels (NASA, 2020). A2a. Findings of Research. Discuss evidence citing 3 reputable sources which describe the change in climate with an emphasis on what science is explaining. National Geographic explores the repercussions of global warming resulting from climate change on our planet. The article delves into the causes behind rising sea levels and provides predictions on the varied impacts on human populations.Ice glaciers and caps, constituting about 10% of the world's landmass, play a crucial role. If all this ice were to melt, sea levels would rise by approximately 230 feet. Countries like India, Peru, and Bolivia heavily rely on
Science, Technology, and Society (C389) 2 these ice formations for drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power. The potential loss of this vital resource could have devastating consequences for these nations (National Geographic, 2019). In 2020, NASA elucidated a similar narrative, extending the discussion to the impact on ocean life. Specifically, the article addresses the effects on cold-water-dependent organisms like coral and plankton, pivotal components at the base of the ocean's food chain. Any disturbance to these organisms is highlighted as potentially disrupting the entire food web within the ocean (NASA, 2020). Climate change is already exerting an impact on global food production, as indicated by recent research projecting a decrease in crop yields under future climate conditions. The study focused on the top ten global crops, including barley, cassava, maize, oil palm, rapeseed, rice, sorghum, soybean, sugarcane, and wheat. Projections show varying degrees of impact on these crops, ranging from a -13.4% decline in oil palm to a -3.5% reduction in soybeans. Particularly, Europe, South Africa, and Australia experience predominantly negative impacts, while Latin America sees a lesser effect, and North and Central America face mixed consequences (Climate change, 2019). A2b. Major Points. Summarize the major points of two groups opposing each other. Group 1: The Climate Physic Scientists This group is composed of climate physics scientists, including IPCC Scientists, who focus on scientific facts and research that attribute global warming to fossil fuel emissions, particularly CO2 release. This group recognizes climate's natural variability, acknowledges CO2 as a crucial greenhouse gas, and agrees on its increase since the 19th century. They have the view that adding CO2 to the atmosphere should induce some warming, with global temperatures rising by approximately 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit from 1800 to 2000.They see the human-caused greenhouse emissions as a major attribute to global climate change. They also see that long-term climate predictions are challenging, as indicated by the IPCC report in 2007 (Climate change, 2020). Group 2: Global Warming Alarmists This group comprises individuals labeled as global warming alarmists, accused of either exaggerating or distorting facts about climate change for personal gain. Within this category, we find those who benefit from alarmism, primarily politicians, environmental activists, and media professionals. Politicians gain financial support and increased influence, activists raise funds for their causes while promoting the belief that humans are a destructive force in nature, and the media receives attention-grabbing ideas and headlines that sell. This group is known for making exaggerated claims about climate change, such as falsely asserting an acceleration in sea levels (Greenhouse effect, 2019).
Science, Technology, and Society (C389) 3 A3. Possible Solutions. Discuss two possible solutions to global climate change. Include costs, risks, and benefits to each solution. Solution 1: Using Nuclear Power to Eliminate Carbon Emissions. Costs: Expenditures associated with nuclear power implementation include the construction of plants and the employment of highly skilled professionals well-versed in handling nuclear energy equipment to minimize the risk of workplace errors resulting from negligence. Additionally, combating the anti-nuclear movement and media opposition entails financial and time investments, often leading to costly legal battles that can increase the overall expenses of initiating or maintaining nuclear plants. Another cost involves public education efforts to dispel negative perceptions surrounding nuclear power (WNA, 2020). Risks: Nuclear energy carries a negative stigma, often associated with concerns about potential catastrophic accidents, likely fueled by the anti-nuclear movement. While acknowledging the risk of human error, the safety of nuclear power is a subject of debate. When comparing statistics of accidental deaths in other workplaces to those caused by nuclear power plants, the numbers are remarkably low. Notably, only a total of 200 deaths have occurred in the entire history of the nuclear power industry, emphasizing the limited scale of the risk. Major nuclear incidents like Three Mile Island (1979), Chernobyl (1986), and Fukushima (2011) are often cited, but their portrayal as deadly risks may not be entirely accurate. For instance, the Three Mile Island leak resulted in exposure equivalent to a chest x-ray. Chernobyl's unique procedural issues were specific to the Soviet Union and not representative of Western practices. According to the World Health Organization, fewer than 50 deaths were directly attributed to radiation from the Chernobyl disaster. In the case of Fukushima, no deaths occurred at the nuclear plant due to radiation leaks; fatalities were a result of the accompanying tsunami. Nuclear waste could be considered another risk (WNA, 2020). Benefits: Nuclear power stands out as the cleanest among various energy sources, being carbon-free, abundant, and highly efficient while maintaining a strong safety record. France's impressive low emission levels can be attributed to their utilization of 75% nuclear energy for electricity generation. In comparison to wind and solar energy, nuclear power proves to be more efficient and cost-effective in terms of materials. According to Michael Shellenberger, an author and advocate for green energy, it would require thousands of acres of wind and solar farms to match the energy output of a single nuclear power plant. In essence, nuclear power emerges as a cleaner and superior alternative to solar and wind power (WNA, 2020). Solution 2: The Government Mandates Car Emissions. Costs: Mandating all new car imports to exclusively accept fuel-efficient vehicles achieving 70 miles per gallon would incur costs for the government. This would involve a reduction in revenue from gas taxes typically collected from less fuel-efficient cars. To compensate for this loss, the government might need to increase taxes in other areas, potentially impacting citizens. Achieving zero emissions may necessitate relying on battery technology to power these
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