The Petition: A Global Warming Case
Author(s)
Abstract
The goal of this dilemma case study is to teach students about global climate change. The setting is a faculty meeting where the discussion has turned to a petition circulating in the scientific community against signing the Kyoto Treaty. Students read graphs and interpret data and consider the political, economic, and ethical issues surrounding the controversy. The case would be appropriate for use in a variety of courses, including biology, geology, chemistry, physics, meteorology, economics, political science, and ethics.
Objectives
- Learn about global warming and its possible causes.
- Understand how temperature and carbon dioxide changes can be estimated.
- Understand what controls weather patterns.
- Learn about geochemical cycles.
- Practice reading graphs and interpret data.
- Understand how humans may impact the earth’s environment.
- Explore the ethics, politics, and economics of scientific issues.
Keywords
Global warming; greenhouse effect; greenhouse gases; climate change; weather; CO2, carbon dioxide; Kyoto ProtocolTopical Areas
Ethics, Policy issues, Social issuesEducational Level
High school, Undergraduate lower divisionFormat
PDFType / Methods
Dilemma/Decision, DiscussionLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Earth Science | Atmospheric Science | Geology | Biology (General) | Climatology / Meteorology |
Date Posted
09/06/02Teaching Notes
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