Extensions

Research your local water supply - where is it and how is it used? What percentage is used by agriculture? By industry? By residents? What is likely to happen to water use over the next 50 years as the population changes or as changes occur in agriculture or industry? What are the possibilities for increased supply and how might these be affected by climate change?

In the past human communities have adapted to changes of many kinds including some changes in climate. It is sometimes argued that, because the adaptability of human beings is not fully allowed for, the likely damage from the impacts of climate change in the future tends to be overestimated. Do you agree?

Visit a large electrical store and collect information relating to the energy consumption and the performance of domestic appliances: refrigerators, microwave ovens, washing machines. Which do you think are the most energy efficient and how do they compare with the least energy efficient? Also how well labeled were the appliances with respect to energy consumption and efficiency?

Contact power companies in your local area and ask for information about their emissions of CO2, NOx, and SO2 and the emissions control systems they are using. Which power plant is emitting the fewest emissions? Is it more or less expensive to purchase power from the cleanest plant? Would you be willing to pay more for cleaner energy?

You have been chosen to serve on an international panel to provide advice on global warming. Based on the evidence, do you think it is a problem, and if so, which course of action would you recommend?

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Woodrow Wilson Leadership Program in Environmental Science

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