GS104
Weeks 2-8 Discussions
**All discussion must be 75 words or more**
Week 2
Describe what you think could happen if one of the major components of the earth’s biodiversity were somehow eliminated completely. In your response, provide at least 2 examples of occurrences and suggest ways that biodiversity loss can be avoided.
Week 3
The Species Approach to Sustaining Biodiversity
Review the following statements and choose one that best describes your feelings towards wildlife. Defend the statement you choose by providing at least three reasons for your point of view.
- As long as it stays in its space, wildlife is okay.
- As long as I do not need its space, wildlife is okay.
- I have the right to use wildlife habitat to meet my own needs.
- When you have seen one redwood tree, elephant, or any other form of wildlife, you have seen them all, so lock up a few of each species in a zoo or wildlife park and don not worry about protecting the rest.
- Wildlife should be protected.
Week 4
Population Growth and Water Resources
Of all natural resources, water is the most essential. It supports vital processes of value to mankind such as food production, drinking water, and fisheries, among others. Water may seem abundant at first sight; after all, approximately 70% of the earth’s surface is covered with water. The reality is that supplying water to support mankind’s needs has not kept with pace with population and economic growth. Discuss the role that population growth has played in water pollution. List and describe 2 potential solutions to the potential “water crisis” we may face if water resources continue to be misused.
Week 5
Energy Resource Challenges
The Deep Water Horizon oil spill was the largest marine oil spill in US history. It caused extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats and to the fishing and tourism industries situated around the Gulf of Mexico. It is likely that scientists will continue to uncover effects from the oil spill for years to come. Review the website http://www.eoearth.org/article/Deepwater_Horizon_oil_spill?topic=50364 to read more about the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill. The Deep Water Horizon is located in a unique, yet critical environmental habitat which supports a variety of marine organisms. Do you think that drilling in this area should continue? Why or why not? When defending your response, cite examples and describe the advantages or disadvantages of drilling in the Deep Water Horizon.
Week 6
Humans and Climate Change
Human activities may contribute to climate change in several ways. The largest known contribution, from humans to the atmosphere, comes from burning fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Do you believe that human activities are contributing to climate change or that the earth is going through a natural warming phase? Defend your choice with credible examples.
Week 7
Environmental Worldview
Review the discussion of environmental worldviews in Mini Lecture: Environmental Policy and Worldviews. Post a reflection on your worldview and compare it with the worldviews in the course materials. Provide examples of the benefits of your view and defend your position.
Week 8
Considering what you’ve learned in this course, outline the three most important aspects of the environment that we should protect at the highest priority. How do your current behaviors affect these three things? What can you do to change your behaviors?
Reflection Week 8
Think about the past 8 weeks of this course. What has been the most interesting aspect of environmental science that you have learned? Has your new understanding of environmental sustainability changed the way you view the environment? Have you adapted any behavioral changes as a result of taking this course? Any other aspect of environmental science that you would like to share that you thought was interesting?
