Question

Chapters 5 - Critical Thinking and Discussion Questions

1. While the surface of the Earth has grown warmer in recent years, temperatures in the upper atmosphere have actually gotten cooler. Some people say this means that the global warning is a myth. What would you say?

2. Do you think your carbon footprint has increased or decreased in the last year or so, and why?

3. Which do you thin is more effective strategy for lowering carbon dioxide emissions: a carbon tax on emissions, a tax on gasoline, or an incentive such as a tax credit for renewable energy alternatives, or some combination? Why?

4. Can a vegetarian diet have a lower climate change impact than a beef-based diet? Explain.

5. Please comment on Biochar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHgyOa70Q7Y

6.Comment on the video of the Story of Stuff. https://storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-stuff/

Answer 1

Solution:

Ans 1) Global warming is actually not a myth. There s a drastic change in the climatic condition and all because of global warming itself. Glaciers started to shrunk, and since ice berg started to melt therefore the rise happens in sea water significantly. Yes, the climate has changed significantly due to global warming. During summer season, the weather will become too hot and will reach the maximum temperature, whereas in winter season the weather will decrease significantly.

Ans 2)

• Yes, carbon footprints have increased as compared to the recent years. With every developing or developed nation, number of vehicles are increasing day by day, and thus it leads to more carbon dioxide emission.
• Moreover, deforestation is also another cause why carbon dioxide footprints have increased significantly.

Ans 3) Effective strategy for lowering carbon dioxide:

• There is one of the better strategies other than the given strategy to reduce carbon dioxide is use cycle or walking for a certain distance rather than using your vehicle for going out of your home. If this is followed by every person, a huge amount of carbon dioxide footprints will reduce.

And 4) no, obviously not, eating vegetarian diet can change climate is nothing but a myth. Everything is balanced in the ecosystem. The food-chain only gets hampered not the climate. Climate can be be preserved by stopping the global warming not by eating vegetarian foods.

Ans 5) here in the video, a wonderful description between weather and climate has been given. Weather is what we are experiencing and climate is something that is being found based on the calculation for certain period of years. You may feel this year the summer season is too hot and winter season is too cold, but ultimately if the average is being calculated you will see it will come nearly same or a difference of +- 2 degrees. This is how climate is predicted.

Ans 6) Here in the video, every stuff described in the story contribute environmental pollution more or less. From the basic level to the top level if you think beyond the box, you will see natural resources are being exploited and thus it leads to the global warming and climate change. On every stage the waste product is damaging the environment and mitigating these crises is never a concern for the people. So, it is important to step up, if you want to consume things, go ahead but try to fix this problem for your next generation.