For our third case study, we're going to do an activity (Step 1) and then you will pick one of two options (Step 2).

Step 1 (everyone must complete this step):

Please go to the following carbon footprint calculator websites and enter your information (follow the directions):

http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator…

http://myfootprint.org/

Note that if too many people log in at once, the system will get buggy. If it doesn't work for you, try again in an hour. DO NOT LEAVE THIS UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE; if everyone is trying to log in on the due date, you will crash the system and no one will be able to finish their case studies.

Note: the second calculator is run as a non-profit by a very group of people (about 3), and provides a valuable service. If you are willing and able, I encourage you to purchase your own subscription OR donate.

Please make sure that for both calculators, you take screen shots or make PDFs of the results; these will be submitted along with the rest of the case study.

Step 2 (pick one of the following):

1) Enter at least three additional scenarios into one of the carbon footprint calculators (you can pick either one, though the one that tells you "how many earths" is particularly fun). The first should be how you think the "typical" American lives. The second should be an attempt to be as low-footprint as possible, with the following caveats: your hypothetical person must still live somewhere in the US (also, must be on the grid), and your hypothetical person must be realistic (if you have them using public transportation all the time, they must also live in the city and can't grow all their food, since these are mutually exclusive). The third scenario should be based upon your original (how you live), with changes that you would potentially be willing to make to reduce your footprint (e.g. if you are willing to change out incandescent for efficient lightbulbs, put that in your scenario). In a relatively short write-up (maybe 3 pages), discuss the scenarios. Make sure you discuss your personal results (from step 1) as well as the three additional scenarios. Also, make sure you tell me what your input parameters were for all four scenarios (yours plus the three additional). By this, I mean you need to tell me WHAT SORTS OF THINGS (behaviors, living arrangements, electrical usage, etc) you entered into the calculator. Things you might address: Where is the "typical" American affecting the ecosystem the most, and how might we be able to address that? Is the "low-footprint" scenario as low as you thought it would be? What are the remaining significant ecological impacts? How do you feel about your actual footprint compared to your hypothetical (lower use) footprint? Are you willing to implement any of the changes you suggested for yourself? Why or why not? How much of an impact do you think an individual can have (for good or ill)? Is it important to have an understanding of our ecological impacts?

OR

3) Identify a family member or friend who doesn't believe that global warming is real and/or human caused (you may also pick someone who is "on the fence" about global warming), and who is willing to listen to you and have a conversation. Prepare a presentation in which you utilize a variety of available resources (graphs, numbers, etc.) to make a convincing argument for the reality and impact of global warming. Note that the website listed below is a great resource, goes over many of the common myths and debunks them, and also is a great source of graphics. Deliver your presentation to the individual you have identified (you may wish to do the presentation all in one shot and then discuss, or you can make each point individually, with discussion after each). Keep notes (you may wish to tape record) on your conversation. Write up a description of how the individual reacted to the information. Was s/he accepting of the information? If so, what most impressed him/her? If not, what is it that s/he refuses to accept? Also discuss your experience communicating science and thoughts regarding the barriers in person-to-person scientific communication. Turn in 1) your PDFs from step 1, 2) a copy of your presentation, 3) your discussion notes, and 4) your write-up of the individual's reaction.

skepticalscience.com

Submittion CS 3 . Make sure to include:

1) PDF or screen shots of your calculator results for both calculators

2) PDF or screen shots of your alternate calculator results AND your writeup discussing them

OR

Copy of your presentation AND writeup on your discussion