Jason NHS Global Warming Documentary

What is you opinion on the effects of global warming?

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

What do you feel the Local Government can do? US government?

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

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

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

(Help them quickly calculate their total carbon emissions)

Are you aware of the effects of global warming happening around the world?

Do you believe that global warming is a serious climate crisis issue?

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

Currently, I have learned about the effects of the global warming, what they will be and how they have already started. I learned about the the top five deadliest effects of global warming aswell as the reason their is so much rain and show recently. The main thing that surprised me is that the effects of global warming can already be seen this early. I have now realized fully that global warming is a serious climate crisis and that preventitive measures need to be taken now in order to prevent global warming. I am hoping that this documentary will be able to really effect change in the people that we meet and that it will spawn to others. At first, I thought that the focus of my segment (The effects of global warming on the earth) should focus more on the effects in is happening around the world in nature. But then I thought that how it is affecting others around the world, would not interest people locally. So, I have decided that I should incorporate local news from Missouri into my segment. I do have information that could potentially be useful for other groups so, I will spread it around.

It is April 13th (what should be the peaking point of Spring) and there is a blizzard outside. Even though the ground temperatures are warm enough to melt the snow, why is it snowing in the middle of Spring? I had my own theories that all of this snow and rain was linked to global warming and it seems that it may be true. I just read an article by Michael Kanellos, detailing how global will bring extreme amounts of snow and water. The process by which this happens is a simple one.  “Evaporation increases when the surface temperature of the ocean rises and warmer air can hold more moisture.” Also, as stated in the last post, global warming will cause the storms to become even more intense since the overall air will be soggier. Furthermore, the storms duration of the storms will be a lot longer. This article confirmed the fact the global warming is a serious climate crisis. If you analyze the five events in the last post, you can see how some of them relate to their being more rain (the intensity of the storms, the spreading diseases, more hurricanes, economic consequences). The primary reason I found this article interesting is because the the houses and buildings that recently flooded Eureka, may have been caused by global warming. Because of this intense storm, you can already see the economic consequences.

 More Rain, Less Water

It seems that no matter what we do, if we do fully prevent global warming, there will be drastic effects of the Earth. This article generated by scientist has been spread around as the top five deadliest effects of global warming. The top five effects appear in the following order:

1.     Polar Ice Caps Melting – the sea levels will raise dramatically, the global ecosystem will be out of balance
2.     Economic Consequences – areas of land (including homes and buildings) will go under water, disease will need to be treated for, hurricanes will cause damage
3.     Increased probability and intensity of droughts and heat waves – areas will suffer from severe droughts and water shortages, water is already a rare   commodity in Africa
4.     More Hurricanes — As ocean temperatures rise, the probability of hurricanes forming does as well
5.     Spread of Disease – disease carrying insects migrate north, bringing plague and disease with them, this has already been seen in many European countries (unknown disease have begun to plague small towns)

This was an eye opening article that clearly and easily explained what will happen if global warming continues to worsen. What surprised me about the article is that I have been hearing about many of these on the radio or on the news. The spread of disease has now become an issue in Europe and has spread to their cattle. The issue of the land drying up in some areas is worsening in some places that are already hot, such as Asia or Africa. This information can be used my segment for the documentary detailed the effects of global warming on the Earth.

The Effects of Global Warming

Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees, but Gasoline Might

Joshua A. Chamot – National Science Foundation

Aside from the SIRs articles, I came across this article that basically says that “researchers have made a breakthrough in the development of “green gasoline,” a liquid identical to standard gasoline yet created from sustainable biomass sources like switchgrass and poplar trees”. Also, the process produce almost no carbon footprint. “We are currently working on understanding the chemistry of this process and designing new catalysts and reactors for this single step technique. This fundamental chemical understanding will allow us to design more efficient processes that will accelerate the commercialization of green gasoline.”

This was a very interesting article and it shows how some scientists really are acting to protect to the Earth. I think that this “green gasoline” will someday (maybe in near future) become a true form of fuel. Although this article shows that global warming is being taken care of, I do not think it is applicable information for out documentary because it is still in development and is recent news. Still, it makes a good read.

Gore Announces Anti-Warming Effort

By Travis Loller

Experts: Al Gore — former Vice President, global climate change activist

The article Gore Announces Anti-Warming Effort by Travis Loller, brings to light the new three year, multi million dollar campaign and alliance by Al Gore “calling for the U.S. to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.” It is also mentioned by the article that global warming is not only an environmental issue. It is also an issue of “energy independence and national security.” Although the new alliance will spend over $300 million in the next three years, if individuals unite and recognize the threat of global warming, everybody will be able to effect a change. This new campaign basically hopes to offer ideas on “conserving energy at home and work and guidance for those who want to do more.”

This article was interesting because it showed really how one individual, Al Gore, is so passionate to end global warming. Even after effecting change through his global warming book and documentary – An Inconvenient Truth - Gore is still doing as much as he can to help people help themselves and others. After recently viewing his film and book, I have really come to personally realize how much of an activist Al Gore really is. I am looking forward to see what kind of effects this campaign will generate.

Defining Quote of the Article: “It’s just common sense that we ought to be good stewards of the environment and do everything within our power to protect this fragile planet that we all live on.” – Pat Robertson (televangelist, founder of the American Center for Law and Justice).

This is another great quote that may be included in the documentary in the form of monologue. Just like quote in the previous post, it conveys a sense of urgency and shows that people need to act now.

 States Suing EPA over Global Warming

By Jay Lindsay

Experts: Stephen Johnson–EPA administrator

In his article, States Suing EPA over Global Warming, author Jay Lindsay brings awareness to the inaction of the EPA and the Bush Administration  on global warming. Even though the plaintiffs voted 5-4, the EPA did not act “to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, from motor vehicles.” Because of this lack of action, 18 officials from various states took the EPA to court to settle a solution. One state official, “California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the EPA ‘has failed to lead, it has failed to follow the states’ lead and we are prepared to force it out of the way in order to protect the environment.’” The ruling by the Supreme Court states states that the EPA must regulate carbon dioxide if it is determined as a a danger to the publics health.

This article was a very informing article that I believe is applicable towards one of the segments in our documentary. Jay states in the article that Jim Milkey, chief of environmental protection “Every day that goes by without a solution, the window of opportunity to fix the problem closes a bit more.” This quote greatly summarizes the state of urgency and action that must be taken with global warming.  I think this statement may fit nicely in our documentary as a voice-over/monologue since it conveys such a powerful message.

1. Is it real? — Degree of seriousness

2. What is it?

3. Affecting our generation
-moral – political

4. Affecting the Earth

5. Prevention – coping/dealing with global warming
-adaption

1. What is Global Warming? — A detailed yet easily comprehensible explanation should be given. Quick interviews could be put here to show the different types of awareness levels.

 2. Contributing to Global Warming — Points that may be explained include the causes of Global Warming and how these relate to humans.  How have people been contributing and how has it been accumulating.

3. Prevention of Global Warming — Explain and show how Global Warming can be prevented and what precautions are being taken currently to aid in the prevention of Global Warming (government regulations, laws,…)

4. Current Effects of Global Warming — Video, images, and professional are all applicable in this segment. Various topics may be covered including world wide effects to local effects.

5. Question/Answer/Interview — Include interviews with professionals and/or interesting points made by the interviewees. This is a good segment to include the information found out about carbon emissions (how much people produce per year).