November 19, 2015 - Thursday

Class Work

1. Let's take a look at "The Bounty of the Sea" by Jacque Cousteau, the father of Jean-Michel Cousteau who wrote "Saving the Songs of the Sea."


2. Watching An Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth – Questions

After viewing the documentary, answer the following questions.

1.       Why does the film open and close with serene images of nature: lush green leaves and a gently flowing river on a sunny day, followed by Al Gore’s voice-over about this peaceful place? What is the impact on the viewer?

2.       In this film, Gore narrates a moment in 1989 when his six-year-old son dropped his father’s hand, ran into the street, and was severely injured. How does this personal story relate to Gore’s mission?

3.       Much of the film consists of scientific facts and charts. Think back and answer the following:

·         Why do we have global warming?

·         What is the relationship between carbon dioxide and temperature?

·         How does global warming contribute to an increase in the number and severity of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and typhoons?

·         How can global warming cause both violent precipitation as well as droughts?

4.       Explain the significance of each of these references from the film:

·         The findings of core drills

·         The thawing of the permafrost, the splitting of the Ward Hunt ice shelf, and the disappearance of the Larson ice shelf

·         The Arctic ice cap disappearing

·         The image of a canary in a coal mine

·         The image of the frog in the cooking pot

5.       Cite three ecological consequences of global warming in the animal and plant communities.

6.       Gore used quotations from several memorable people.  Explain how they apply to the topic of global warming.

·         Mark Twain: “What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know; it’s what we know that just ain’t so.”

·         Upton Sinclair: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” Consider citing specific ways that this statement is illustrated throughout this film.

·         Stephen Pacala and Robert Socolow in Science magazine: “Humanity already possesses the fundamental scientific, technical, and industrial know-how to solve the carbon and climate problems.”

7.       Explain the significance of the film’s title An Inconvenient Truth.


Homework

Locate two articles on one environmental issue that is important to you. It can deal with earth, wind, fire, water, or any creature or element linked to these.  Identify the problem, causes, and/or effects of the issue. Also list the URL or the bibliographical information if you are using a paper source. Due: Tuesday, November 24, 2015. Post in CANVAS.