GEOG 372

GLOBAL CHANGE

I am directing you to two sets of articles that present divergent views of what we may expect from global climate change and how best to deal with such pending change. One set is by Thomas Gale Moore, economist and Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University. The second set is by Ross Gelbspan, journalist who has specialized on environmental issues.

Here are the Thomas Gale Moore papers:			Here are the Ross Gelbspan papers:
Why Higher Temperatures Are Better			RX for an Ailing Planet
Kyoto’s Real Objective			Toward a Real Kyoto Protocol
Global Warming: A Boon for Humans and Other Animals			Rewiring the World's Energy

On Thursday, May 13, 1 p.m., you should all come to class prepared to discuss the two authors and their articles, including what you see as the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments presented. Come armed with supporting materials, such as other references that you have come across, that reinforce your critical evaluations of the veracity of each argument. Check out some of the web pages on the class links page, including some of the skeptics pages.

Also, for background, please read the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Summary for Policymakers, 2001 edition: http://www.ipcc.ch/pub/spm22-01.pdf (Scroll down on document until you see the text.)

I'd like you to evaluate how much of the authors' arguments are based on science, including uncertainties, how much on economics and politics (and whose economics and politics). Consider the credentials of the writers, as well as the critics. Remember that much of the material published on the web has not been peer reviewed, and therefore can be erroneous or misleading. In class on Thursday, be prepared to take notes on what you learn from fellow students. Up to this point, the more you share, the better all of your final papers will be. We will have one hour of discussion.

We have changed the assignment so that you will write your essay during the final exam period, Thursday, May 20th, 2 to 3:50 p.m.

Access any materials you like to support your writing. I suggest that you prepare an outline of your ideas ahead of time. Do include a bibliography of references already prepared that you wish to cite which you can attach to your essay.

Your final exam essay will consist of about a three to four page paper presenting your comparison and critical evaluations of each of these authors' writings. Be sure to discuss and compare Both authors. Your arguments should be supported with specific references from our readings as well as other sources that you find on the web or in journals. Please cite your sources within your paper. Do this by putting the author's last name, the date of publication, and page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence in which you refer to her/his work.

Page last updated 5/19/04.