Forest Ecosystem

Question 1

Lesson 1 Eco Credit

After watching the short film, An Inconvenient Truth gather further information (from books and websites you find) on the effects of global warming on weather, agriculture, forest ecosystems, water resources, coastal areas, and biodiversity. Choose the aspect of this issue that you would most like to share with others.

You may choose to do one of the following for eco-credit:

• Discuss the issues you are studying with friends and family. You may even want to bring this to a group discussion forum or write a letter to a government official as well as to the editor of your local newspaper. Share the discussion and reactions you encounter.
• Choose an action you can take related to global warming. Try it and evaluate whether it is the right type of service for you.

Question 2

• • What the greenhouse effect is
  • How water, heat, and temperature are related
  • What CO2 is and how its amount in the atmosphere is changing
  • How CO2 levels correlate with global warming
• Consider how your personal actions may increase or decrease CO2 levels by calculating your carbon footprint. Links to several carbon footprint calculators are listed in the Required Resources section. Use one of these calculators to estimate your carbon footprint.
• Learn about the atmospheric history of CO2 by reading the article “Past Climate Change” listed in the Required Resources section.
• Conduct additional research to learn more about the relationship between human carbon footprints and CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

• Explain how your carbon footprint relates to the carbon cycle, the atmospheric history of CO2, and a national or global average
• State whether you think decreasing your carbon footprint can impact the carbon cycle
  • If you agree, suggest two ways you can decrease your carbon footprint and explain how these suggestions will help
  • If you disagree, provide at least two reasons for your position
• Include references to at least two sources outside the Required Resources
• Cite all references in APA format