Final Project

This assignment will assess the following competencies:

1. Examine the role that Environmental Science plays in a modern society.

2. Examine how energy and matter are conserved in the environment.

3. Analyze environmental risks and how to evaluate risk vs gain.

4. Analyze an ecosystem and the interactions between the components that make up an ecosystem.

5. Analyze how population demographics are related to biotic limitations, political actions, economic stability, and philosophical thinking.

6. Analyze the historical role of energy and how it has changed over time.

7. Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of nonrenewable and renewable energy.

8. Explore the importance of and factors that influence biodiversity.

9. Examine the impact of changes in land use and the need for land use planning.

10. Analyze sustainable agricultural practice including pest management and agricultural pollution.

11. Examine how clean air and water are impacted by human behavior.

12. Analyze climate change and the scientific evidence that supports it.

13. Examine the issues surrounding solid waste treatment, storage, and disposal.

14. Examine hazardous waste and the actions that are taken to protect people and the environment.

15. Examine how environmental concerns play a role in politics and society.

Directions: Imagine that you are at a United Nations press conference and are responsible for answering questions on the following topic:

How do we balance the need for goods and energy with the harmful impact production, transportation, and use has on the environment?

You have been given the questions ahead of time so that you can carefully plan your answers. You will need to carefully craft an answer to EACH of the following questions:

What is your opinion on jobs vs the environment?

What limits do you set to allow for economic growth with the least environmental impact?

What ethical issues does this involve?

As a regulatory official, what kind of information would you need to determine if a chemical is “safe”? Not using this chemical is not an option.

How can you handle this?

How would you address the potential threat to the air, water, land, or human health?

What level of risk would you find acceptable for society? Why?

Nuclear power is one of the world largest energy producers. In light of the recent nuclear accidents in Japan and a growing demand for energy, does it concern you that nuclear power is one of the most abundant sources of potential for energy growth?

What types of problems does using nuclear power present?

What will you tell the people about the safety of nuclear power?

What types of renewable energy could be a viable alternative?

How could both nuclear energy and renewable energy impact the threat of climate change? Explain your ideas.

The Amazon Basin contains some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. The rate of deforestation and habitat destruction remains a threat to the area. Some of this is due to the slash and burn clearing techniques used in the area to create open land for agriculture. What can you say to convince the government in the area that this issue needs to be addressed?

What suggestions will you make regarding the issue?

How will these impact the local people?

Each response you prepare must be at least one page double-spaced and must address each aspect of the question. Your work must include all references consulted or it will not be accepted. Using other’s work without citations is considered plagiarism.