Exam questions for GEOS444-500, Spring 2017 (I will ask you ~ 7 of these questions next Thursday) The exam will be held in our usual classroom, on...

Short Answers (~ ½ page of text):

(1) What are Alex Epsteinâs key arguments (name at least 3) in his moral case for fossil fuels? What is his standard of value?

(2) Who is Fred Singer, and what is his role in the climate change debate?

(3) What is Silent Spring about? How has it shaped our view of the environment and our role in protecting it?  

(4) What is the GeoMIP project? How does it compare with CMIP (which we learned about during the first part of course)?

(5) Who is Dan Kahan, what is the Cultural Cognition Project, and how does it help explain the publicâs response to anthropogenic climate change?

(6) Name the 4 recognized global commons. Briefly explain why they are recognized as such, and list at least 1 potential âtragedyâ for each one of these commons.

(7) Compare the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement. Provide at least 5 key differences between the 2.

(8) What is solar geoengineering? List 3 arguments in favor and 3 against the use of this technology.  

Long Answers (~ 1+ page of text):

(9) Name 5 frames one could use when talking about anthropogenic climate change (the frames can be on the denying or the endorsing side). Of those 5, pick 2 and present short examples of what a discussion between the informer and his/her public would sound like.

(10) In Merchants of Doubt, we learn of a few âtricksâ that were used by the tobacco industry to misinform and misguide the public about the link between lung cancer and cigarette smoke. Describe at least 5 of those said tricks and draw parallels between their application to tobacco use and anthropogenic climate change.

(11) Why are Americans still doubtful about anthropogenic climate change? Describe the series of events that have cast doubt on climate science. Lots of info can be found in the reading from week 13.

(12) Why do facts donât necessary suffice to change someoneâs mind on a topic? Present at least 2 reasons and examples that relate to anthropogenic climate change. Make sure to differentiate facts (cite your sources) from opinions, the latter being based on your knowledge, common sense, and life experience. I expect to read a mix of both facts and opinions.  

(13) History has taught us that moral arguments have brought on positive changes in society regarding many issues, such as the civils rights movement, the womenâs right movement, and Carsonâs environmental movement, even though all these movements also came with complex ethical dilemmas. Describe strategies and moral arguments that we could put forward to make anthropogenic climate change a priority. List a few complex dilemmas associated with this movement.