April 22, 2021
We are going to get into two groups.
Each group will draw on our readings to consider what cities could do to prepare for, and adapt to, rising sea levels.
First, choose a coastal city. Second, use the Surging Seas, Seeing Choices tool developed by Climate Central to determine how rising sea levels could inundate parts of that city under different emissions scenarios.
Note that the maps provided by Climate Central show our best estimate of total cumulative sea level rise under different emissions scenarios, which could take millennia to play out. It's not at all the same thing as the actual sea level rise by a certain date. By 2100, the most likely emissions scenarios would probably lead to around 2-3 feet of sea level rise.
These maps also do not project any attempt at adaptation to rising sea levels. You will, third, consult our readings to determine how the city you’ve chosen should prepare for the rising sea over the coming century. What adaptation measures are most effective? Which should be avoided? What long-term consequences should be considered?
I'll give you 20 minutes. When you're done, please be ready to give a short presentation.
Each group will draw on our readings to consider what cities could do to prepare for, and adapt to, rising sea levels.
First, choose a coastal city. Second, use the Surging Seas, Seeing Choices tool developed by Climate Central to determine how rising sea levels could inundate parts of that city under different emissions scenarios.
Note that the maps provided by Climate Central show our best estimate of total cumulative sea level rise under different emissions scenarios, which could take millennia to play out. It's not at all the same thing as the actual sea level rise by a certain date. By 2100, the most likely emissions scenarios would probably lead to around 2-3 feet of sea level rise.
These maps also do not project any attempt at adaptation to rising sea levels. You will, third, consult our readings to determine how the city you’ve chosen should prepare for the rising sea over the coming century. What adaptation measures are most effective? Which should be avoided? What long-term consequences should be considered?
I'll give you 20 minutes. When you're done, please be ready to give a short presentation.
April 20, 2021
We will get into two groups.
Group 1 will draw on our readings to argue that climate change was a major cause of the Syrian Civil War.
Group 2 will argue the opposite: that climate change played no role – or at most, that it played a minimal role - in the outbreak of the war.
Provide at least three points to support your position. Please pay special attention to the purported sequence of events - the chain of causal connections between climate change, weather, migration, and the civil war - that you're attempting to prove or disprove.
I'll give you 20 minutes. When you're done, please be ready to give a short presentation.
After your presentations, and if we have time:
We'll either create two new groups, or you'll return to the groups you were in.
Visit the Water, Peace, and Security (WPS) map. Play around with the datasets, and ask yourself: given what you learned about the Syrian Civil War, how should we use these tools? What can they tell us?
After about 5 minutes, we'll discuss what you've found. You don't have to prepare a presentation.
Group 1 will draw on our readings to argue that climate change was a major cause of the Syrian Civil War.
Group 2 will argue the opposite: that climate change played no role – or at most, that it played a minimal role - in the outbreak of the war.
Provide at least three points to support your position. Please pay special attention to the purported sequence of events - the chain of causal connections between climate change, weather, migration, and the civil war - that you're attempting to prove or disprove.
I'll give you 20 minutes. When you're done, please be ready to give a short presentation.
After your presentations, and if we have time:
We'll either create two new groups, or you'll return to the groups you were in.
Visit the Water, Peace, and Security (WPS) map. Play around with the datasets, and ask yourself: given what you learned about the Syrian Civil War, how should we use these tools? What can they tell us?
After about 5 minutes, we'll discuss what you've found. You don't have to prepare a presentation.
April 13, 2021
We will get into two groups. Each group will examine one oil industry document from the early 1980s.
Group 1 will analyze this internal Exxon memo.
Group 2 will examine this Exxon memo.
First, work through the questions in Kishlansky’s guide to reading primary sources. See how many you can answer.
Second, figure out whether and how we could use your document to answer – or begin to answer – one or both of the questions I’ve asked you to address in your essays.
Third, determine what further questions these documents provoke for you that you might be interested in following and answering.
I'll give you 20 minutes. When you're done, please be ready to give a short presentation on what you've found.
Group 1 will analyze this internal Exxon memo.
Group 2 will examine this Exxon memo.
First, work through the questions in Kishlansky’s guide to reading primary sources. See how many you can answer.
Second, figure out whether and how we could use your document to answer – or begin to answer – one or both of the questions I’ve asked you to address in your essays.
Third, determine what further questions these documents provoke for you that you might be interested in following and answering.
I'll give you 20 minutes. When you're done, please be ready to give a short presentation on what you've found.
March 23, 2021
We will divide into three groups.
Group members will consult our readings to identify what they consider the most convincing starting date for the Anthropocene as a new geological epoch. Ask yourself:
1. What does it mean for geologists to declare a new geological epoch? What standards do geologists follow?
2. How long will the changes you've identified persist in Earth's rock layers?
3. What are the implications of your starting date for how we view the future of the Anthropocene?
Give a brief presentation (no more than five minutes) that summarizes your findings.
Group members will consult our readings to identify what they consider the most convincing starting date for the Anthropocene as a new geological epoch. Ask yourself:
1. What does it mean for geologists to declare a new geological epoch? What standards do geologists follow?
2. How long will the changes you've identified persist in Earth's rock layers?
3. What are the implications of your starting date for how we view the future of the Anthropocene?
Give a brief presentation (no more than five minutes) that summarizes your findings.