China relies on coal for two-thirds of its commercial energy supply and 80% of its electricity, partly because the country has a great deal of coal. Yet China’s coal burning has made it the world’s top CO2 emitter and has probably sped up the process of atmospheric warming. Do you think China is justified in using coal intensively, as other countries, including the United States, have done and continue to do? Explain. What are China’s alternatives?
Here is the link to the Center for Naval Research report regarding climate change and national security. Read the report and write a synopsis on the report.
Some people disagree with the IPCC findings. What are the motivations of these people and how has this criticism strengthened the science?
What data is used in computer models run by climate scientists, and what exactly do the models tell us?
Read the following news and make comments on the news.
If you live in the United States, list three important ways in which your life would be different today if actions by U.S. citizens between the 1970s and 1990s had not led to the Clean Air Acts of 1970, 1977, and 1990, because of intense political opposition by the affected industries.
Explain the events, chemical reactions, and interactions that culminate with the issuance of respiratory warnings in some sunny, warm cites.
If you were in charge of controlling pollution in a certain lake or stream, explain the strategy you would use for dealing with pollution from
- a pipe discharging chemicals from a factory;
- a parking lot next to a shopping center;
- a farm field; and
- the lawns around the homes located next to the stream or lake.
Who is John Todd? What is his approach to treat wastewater?