Newsletter - Week 1

THE HOT SPOT

A Princeton Newsletter
Week 1: July 2, 1998

Activity Log
Monday, June 29
1. Introduction - Weekly Calendar
2. Pre-Test
3. Icebreakers
          a) Scavenger Hunt
          b) Continuums
          c) Two minute talk
4. Group Activities -
          a) List important understandings
               in environmental science.
          b) List benefits and drawbacks
              of teaching science by doing
              science.
5. Tragedy of the Commons
     Discussion
6. Concurrent session: Discussion of
     Pre-test or Computer Training
7. Optional tour of campus

Tuesday, June 30
1. David Robinson lecture
2. Tour Rutgers Facilities - Remote Sensing Lab (Mike Crowley) and Flume Tanks (Charlotte Fuller)

3. Lunch at Rutgers
4. Concurrent session: Discussion of
Pre-test and Computer Training
5. Open Space

Wednesday, July 1
1. Jorge Sarmiento lecture "The Hot Earth - Carbon and Climate"-- http://
www.aos.princeton.edu/jorge.html
2. Small Group Discussion with members of all institutes: debriefing lecture and discussing web product
3. Project Description/Discussion

Thursday, July 2
1. Mechanisms of Global Warming
2. Concurrent Sessions: Computer
Training and Nova Film and
Discussion
3. Project Discussion

Friday, July 3
Optional computer training

Joke of the Week
What did the boy mushroom say to the girl mushroom?
Will you go out with me Saturday, I'm a fun-guy!

If you have something you would like included in the newsletter, please see
the newletter committee: Thomas, John F., Keva, Ruth, Arlene, or Barb.

*****************************
CONGRATULATIONS
to Thomas Dileo and his wife on the birth of their first child Sophia!
*****************************

OPEN SPACE TECHNOLOGY RULES by Harrison Owen

Whoever comes is the right people.
Whatever happens is the only thing that could've happened.
Whenever it starts is the right time.
Whenever it's over, it's over.

Snow Cover and Climate Change

     On Tuesday morning participants in the Woodrow Wilson Environmental Institutes were treated to an exceptional presentation by David Robinson, the chairman of the Geography Department at Rutgers University and the New Jersey State Climatologist. His topic was "The Role of Snow Cover in the Climate System and Climate Change." Robinson introduced to five major areas involved in his research - snow cover kinematics, improved snow cover monitoring, snow cover - climate synergetics, snow cover variability, and snow cover and climate change.
     Information on where snow is found is useful in: a) understanding the role of snow cover in climate systems, b) identifying and monitoring climate variability and change, c) developing accurate weather and hydrological forecasts, d) verifying climate models, and e) planning and monitoring purposes (commerce, engineering, travel, etc.). Monitoring of snow cover is done using three methods - visible satellite imagery, microwave satellite return, and station snow charting. Each method of monitoring has pros and cons, so an integrated product is optimal. Weekly snow cover charts from 1967-1998 are available from NOAA.
     Robinson explained the four main characteristics of snow: 1) low heat conductivity, 2) low surface moisture, 3) high thermal emissivity, and 4) high albedo and discussed how they affect surface air temperatures.   He asked the chicken and egg question: Does snow drive temperature/climate or does temperature drive snow? Apparently there are studies that support both positions. The increase in year-to-year variability of snow cover in recent decades makes it hard to come to any valid conclusions about the affect of snow cover on climate change. In closing, all Dr. Robinson stated was that snow covered regions, under similar atmospheric conditions, experience colder temperatures than snow-free areas. See http://climate.rutgers.edu/
climatelab/nhupdate.html for northern hemisphere snow cover graph.

TOP TEN REASONS THE GLOBE IS WARMING
10. Teachers in SUV's emitting CFC's in
      BVD's.
9. 38 participants in close quarters.
8. Heat generated by our leaders when the
    bus to Rutgers is late.
7. Three rotating toasters continually
    running in Wilcox Dining Hall.
6. Hikes to 185 Nassau thrice daily.
5. Rich, Frances, and Frank jogging the
    campus perimeter.
4. Dave thinks about impending wedding.
3. Water vapor from Forbes Dorm
    showers.
2. Two towels - four weeks!
1. Gary's hypothesis about participants'
    ability after viewing science survey
    tally.

COMMITTEES FORMED
On the first day of the workshop participants signed up to serve on the following committees:
1) Regional workshops
2) NSF proposal - web page
3) Environmental Biology Archive Group
4) T-shirt design
5) Social committee
6) Daily newspaper
The social committee has been busy trying to plan various activities to entertain and amuse. Several out-of-town trips are scheduled for the July 4th weekend - New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC. Sign up lists have been placed in the lobby for daily activities. Possibilities include tennis, cards, movie night, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and dancing. Don't be shy, sign up and let's have some fun!!!

Tragedy of the Commons: Group Inquiry Approach
Ed Wells used these five steps to structure the discussion of Garrett Hardin's article.
Phase I - Orientation to the major issues
Phase II - Create tension around an idea
Phase III - Verify facts (individual)
Phase IV - Analyze and critique
Phase V - Interpret and analyze (individual)

WHAT'S YOUR HYPOTHESIS?
Taking an inquiry based approach to reviewing the global warming pre-test, Gary Silverman guided the group to generate the following ideas:
1) How does the amount of water vapor in an area affect surface temperature?
2) Does plant growth remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
3) Are CO2 concentrations higher in the morning?
4) Comparison of CO2 levels/sources (CO2 in park vs. factory)
5) Correlation of CO2 levels with other pollutants/land uses
6) Water cools slower than soil
7) Presence of a body of water will moderate air temperature.
8) Wind affects the rate of heat transfer
9) Airborne particulates reflect sunlight
10) Data show that the earth is warming due to industrialization. Do you agree? (use Nat'l.Geo.)
11) Does cloud cover lead to warmer winter days?
12) The air around a feedlot has higher levels of methane than the air in the city
13) Increased temperatures will decrease the need for fertilizers
14) Increased temperature will increase rate of decomposition.

Woodrow Wilson Leadership Program in Environmental Science

lpt@www.woodrow.org
The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation

webmaster@woodrow.org
CN 5281, Princeton NJ 08543-5281

Tel:(609)452-7007

Fax:(609)452-0066