Assignment:
Objective: The purpose of the Written Assignment or PowerPoint Project is to give students an opportunity to further explore and discuss a key concept, to provide reinforcement and elaboration of textual material related to the concept, to show a basic understanding of academic research and reporting skills, and to provide experience with critical thinking and communication skills.
Students will please choose one of the following topics for your Writing Assignment or PowerPoint Presentation.
How does acid deposition form? What are its sources? How does it impact the environment and humans? What efforts have been made to reduce the amount of pollutants that cause it? Name and discuss two locations where acid deposition a concern.
What is biodiversity and why is it used to measure the health of a natural environment? Provide an example of a location with high biodiversity and an example of a location with low biodiversity. What are the climates of the two locations? Explain how the climate of the location connects with the amount of biodiversity in that place. Give an example of flora or fauna in each location. What might cause the biodiversity of a location to decline?
Discuss what is causing the present climate change on Earth? What are some of the scientifically observed climate changes for Earth? What are some predicted climate changes for Earth? Provide an example of a location where climate change is occurring and describe in detail how the location will be affected by climate change in the future. In broad terms, how can a government or an individual tackle climate change? Discuss the role of activism today with the issue of climate change.
Explain desertification. Why is it a major issue of concern? How have humans influenced desertification? Give three examples of where desertification is taking place and what processes led to desertification in these locations. For one of the location examples, provide information on how the government, NGOs or communities are combatting desertification.
What is the role of ozone in the ozonosphere? Discuss and explain the chemical reactions that lead to its destruction. How does the hole in the ozone affect humans and the environment? What international efforts have been undertaken to ameliorate the destruction? Where is the ozone hole and is it recovering or becoming worse?