Polar Bears: Protected But Not Safe  by Bryan Walsh

After about one year of debate, the Bush Administration announced that polar bears have joined the list as a threatened species, under the Endangered Species Act. However, as mentioned in the article, this means nothing. Even though most of the polar bears’ land is receding due to warming temperature, the threat to polar bears and the extinction of the polar bears, only means something if individuals care enough. By placing polar bears on the list as a threatened specie, polar bears will not all of a sudden cause polar bears to thrive again. The reason polar bears are dying is not due to the direct action upon them, it is because of the climate changed sparked by humans–which means the effects of humans are harming the bears. So, humans have indirectly effected the bears. In order for the bears to not die, climate change must be fought–and this is what we are doing with our documentary.

How Green is John McCain

As the article states, “After nearly eight years of President George W. Bush’s disastrous environmental policy, Attila the Hun would have looked green by comparison. “  In comparison, McCain is lacking in environmental votes when compared to Obama and Clinton. In the past few years, climate change is become a hotter issue (no pun intended) as well as the policies and controvesrsey around it. Thats why, in the coming election, the environment will play a determining role in who receives the nomination and the election. Most hopefully, McCain was realistic about the need for the U.S. to take the lead internationally on cutting carbon emissions, even without other major industrializing nations. “If the efforts to negotiate an international solution that includes China and India do not succeed, we still have an obligation to act,” he said. His policies may not quite match his words, but McCain showed that inaction on warming is no longer an option in presidential politics.

One Voice in a Billion: Changing the Climate in China

I found this article to be particularly interesting because it was focused on a 16 year old, trying to warn others of climate change–just like our class.  However, this certain individual–Taylor Francis–has committed himself (after seeing Al Gore’s movie) to ending climate change in other countries. Also, interestingly enough, he is the youngest person to be trained to give Al Gore’s speech. Presenting in China will be a challenge, and not just because Francis will have to make use of a translator. The Chinese view the politics of climate change in a fundamentally different way than much of the developed world. We’ve had our time to grow rapidly, pollute and clean up, but China is just starting. We think of greenhouse gas emissions as something perhaps easy to limit — just get those better lights and better cars. But for China, those vastly accelerating greenhouse gas emissions are just another measurement of how life is getting better for more and more Chinese in the cities: more cars, more electricity, more gadgets, more stuff, all of which carry a greenhouse gas cost. I think it is fascinating how some individuals go to such lengths for passions.

Thank you very much for your support and insight during this project. All of your opinions, suggestions, and comments were taken into consideration when making this project and I believe that the final result of my segment would not be as great without your input. Thanks again for your time and I hope you enjoy the show.

Due to the increase in climate change, the effects of global warming are becoming more apparent in the societal and ecological aspects of life.

Documentary Thesis

Global warming is a serious climate crisis and its growing threat against society, the environment, and future generations have caused a need of awareness.

- This is symbolic of the flooding of the land and the melting of the icecaps–due to global warming.

2. A person swimming in a pool of water–the water temperature gets too hot or the water evaporates.

-Represents the rising temperature and/or the scarcity of water.

3. Trees, animals, and wilderness dying and humans suffering.

-The humans will suffer due the loss of certain components of nature.

4. Comparisons of various areas of wild life.

5. A globe on fire.

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Titles for the documentary

- Cause and Effects of Global Warming

- Global Warming: What you need to know.

- Global Warming? Global Warning.

movie.wmv

Zeigler, RyanResearch Scientist 3525-4675 zeigler@levee

Reese, ChrisResearch Scientist 3825-4921 creese@levee

Freeman, JohnResearch Scientist 2355-6629 JohnJFreeman@wustl

mroberts@ksdk.com
sconnell@ksdk.com

Freeman, JohnResearch Scientist2355-6629JohnJFreeman@wustl

From your perspective, what issues or effects (i.e., environmental, political, economic, cultural, social) do you feel are the most important? Why?

What do you feel the Local Government can do? U.S. government?

Do you think Global Warming is a serious issue that the world needs to think about?

How do you personally feel global warming should be dealt with (if they believe it is a serious climate crisis)?

Have you made any changes to your home (solar panels, light bulbs, cars) to reduce your carbon emissions?

Do you know what the average carbon emission is for a regular person? How about yourself?

http://www.carboncounter.org

            Do you plan to change your ways in order to reduce your total carbon emissions?