week 12 discussion
There is a massive amount of evidence measured in many different ways and from many different regions of the world indicating that climate change is occurring and that it is mainly due to the activity of humans. There is also widespread consensus among scientists that this is the case.
However, despite these facts, many people in the U.S. think that climate change is not happening, that it is not caused by human activity, or that it will not affect their lives. For recent polling information on the perception of people in the U.S. on this topic, please see the following site: http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/10/04/public-views-on-climate-change-and-climate-scientists/ (Links to an external site.)
To help understand why facts are sometimes not enough to convince people about the causes and effects of climate change, please watch the 7.5-minute video titled “Why People Don’t Believe In Climate Science” at the following site:Why People Don’t Believe In Climate Science (Links to an external site.)
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Based on the information in this video, your knowledge of this topic, and your own personal experiences, please discuss the following:
1. Which effect of climate change below most concerns you? Explain your answer.
Melting glaciers and sea level rise
Changes to ocean currents and precipitation patterns
Challenges for ecosystems and native species
Challenges for agriculture and diminishing food supply
Threats to human health
Migration of human populations
Other
2. What do you think is the main reason why many people in the U.S. do not believe that climate change is happening or that humans are the cause?
3. What do you think needs to happen so that more people in the U.S. will accept the fact that climate change is happening and that it is mainly due to the activity of humans?
4. Do you think that the U.S. should do more to stop or slow climate change? Why or why not? If so, what do you think should be done?