Application: The Science of Global Warming
Rick Perry, a Texas governor, says that climate change is non-existent and that more and more scientists are challenging the claim that human activity has resulted in global warming (“Perry’s Global Warming Statements,” 2011). Actor Danny Glover blames the 2010 Haiti earthquake on global warming and criticizes a climate summit in Copenhagen for failing to create a significant response to the perils of climate change (Brent, 2010). Politicians, actors, and many other public figures make science-related statements. How do you know which statements are truly based in science, and which are not?
In the previous unit, you explored the nature of science and learned about the scientific method. Knowing the fundamentals of the scientific process helps you to evaluate science-related information. Obtaining information from reliable scientific sources—which may not always be a politician or celebrity—is also critical.
For this unit's Application Assignment, you respond to a scenario that requires you to identify and analyze scientific facts about global warming. You also describe the carbon cycle processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration and relate these to global warming.
References: Brent, B. (2010, January 16). Actor Danny Glover blames global warming for Haiti earthquake [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2010/01/16/actor-danny-glover-blames-global-warming-haiti-earthquake
Perry’s global warming statements. (2011, August 20). Houston Chronicle. Retrieved fromhttp://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Ignoring-the-heat-2134114.php
To prepare for this Application Assignment:
You are a participant in a city council debate about global warming. During the debate, council members make conflicting statements about climate change, and most members are unsure about the sources of their information. The city council members realize that they do not have the scientific facts on global warming. You have been selected to conduct research on this topic and submit a report that includes these scientific facts. The council also wants you to explain the carbon cycle and how it relates to global warming.
Write a report of two or more pages that presents the scientific facts about global warming and explains what the carbon cycle is and how it relates to global warming. Your report should address the following:
Part 1: The Carbon Cycle
Compare and contrast photosynthesis and cellular respiration by answering the following questions:
- How are cellular respiration and photosynthesis alike?
- How are cellular respiration and photosynthesis different?
- Why are these two processes interdependent?
Part 2: Scientific Facts About Global Warming
Identify at least three scientific facts related to global warming that include:
- How atmospheric CO2 has changed over the last 650,000 years and since the Industrial Revolution (1850)
- How scientists measure CO2 levels
- At least two of the primary factors thought to be involved in the observed changes in atmospheric CO2levels since the Industrial Revolution
Part 3: How the Carbon Cycle Relates to Global Warming
Explain how the carbon cycle relates to global warming, describing at least two implications of climate change for biological systems.
Be sure to cite all references in APA format.
Be sure to support your ideas by connecting them to the unit's Learning Resources and include science-related terms from the Learning Resources in your Application Assignment. Your writing should provide evidence that you understand the terms you include.
Questions about this Assignment? Post the questions in the Contact the Instructor area,so all class members may benefit from the Instructor's response.
Refer to the Unit 2 Application Assignment Rubric for grading details.
Following the instructions below, submit your Application Assignment by Day 14. In order to receive full credit, all assignments are due on time. Should you encounter an unanticipated and uncontrollable life event that may prevent you from meeting an assignment deadline, contact the Instructor immediately to request an extension. Contact information for your Instructor can be found under the Contact the Instructor area. For a full description of the late policy, please refer to the "Policies on Late Assignments" section of your Syllabus