Global Warming Essay
Format (10 points):
- Cover page with name, class period, date, and title
- At least three full pages typed, double-spaced, not including cover page.
- 12-point Times New Roman font.
- 1-inch margins
- Works cited page must be included and formatted correctly (use easybib.com)
Background Section (40 points):
- Explain the overall process of global warming.
o How does it work?
o What are the major greenhouse gases and where do they come from? Include
both natural and manmade sources.
- Explain historical temperature changes
o How many ice ages have we had? When did they occur?
o Explain the “Medieval warming period” and the “little ice age”
o Describe how global temperature, carbon dioxide, and methane levels have
changed over the course of human history. Explain reasons for these changes.
- Explain consequences that are occurring right now as a result of global warming.
These should include:
o Coral reef bleaching
o Increased droughts
o Longer and stronger hurricanes
o Sea level rising
o Ocean temperature increasing
o Ocean acidification
Opinion Section (50 points)
- What effects have humans had on the atmosphere? How does this relate to
temperature change and climate?
- How fast is the global temperature rising? Is this part of a normal cycle or due to
human influences?
- What other factors, besides the greenhouse effect, could account for some of the
climate and temperature variations we’ve seen? Example: Increased solar activity
- During the Inconvenient Truth movie, Al Gore describes global warming as a “moral
issue” and our carbon dioxide emissions as “deeply unethical.” Do you agree? Is this a
moral issue? What should we as humans do about it?
Written by James Dauray
http://www.docstoc.com/profile/jamesdauray
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Objective Articles To Read for a Background on Global Warming
Earth 2100: The Effects of Greenhouse Gases
Excellent article about global warming, its causes and effects.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/science/globalwarming/map.html
Wikipedia
Good summary of the global warming controversy. Don’t use this as a direct source, but a starting point.
Take a look at some of the articles they reference and footnote.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming_controversy
US EPA Global Warming Site
The official website on global warming from the EPA. Contains the most recent facts and figures about
climate change.
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/
Global Warming Frequently Asked Questions
This is a last of FAQs published by NOAA, a government agency that is in charge of much of the global
climate change research.
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html
Videos To Watch for Ideas From Both Sides
“The Most Terrifying Video You Will Ever See”
Presents arguments for and against taking early action against global climate change.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zORv8wwiadQ
“20/20 John Stossel – The Global Warming Debate”
ABC news special about the opposing views of global warming.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOvCCTEfypk
CNN Debate: Bill Nye vs. Richard Lindzen
Bill Nye the Science Guy debates Richard Lindzen, a meteorology professor and global warming skeptic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McsZ1U20W0M
Persuasive Articles (Global warming is completely caused by human actions)
Global Warming Myths and Facts (Environmental Defense Fund)
http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=1011
Official “Inconvenient Truth” Website: Facts & Evidence
http://www.climatecrisis.net/thescience/index.html
Persuasive Articles (Global warming is a hoax or due to natural causes)
Top 10 Global Warming Myths
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19468
Global Warming Hoax: Facts and Fictions of Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth
www.globalwarminghoax.com/news.php?item.11.4
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