Web Poster II Schedule- Spring 2005

Kelly Healton, Elena Parker and Josh Bolotsky

Project Title: Global Warming Skeptics: Hard Science or Hardly Sane?

Abstract. It's a regular occurrence for global-warming-skeptical organizations, often with considerable financial backing, to publish and distribute articles and talking-points meant to "debunk" anthropogenic global warming for the layman. We decided to fact-check these skeptics. To examine the methods used by the skeptics we looked at them through the lens of common ploys used by organizations to attempt to discredit scientific knowledge. In the process, we discovered just how wide ranging the skeptic community is, making it difficult to give a full picture of it. In our analysis of the skeptics we found common trends as to the ways in which they attempt to manipulate and discredit climate scientists. Each of our analyses ends with a section called "Notes on", which represents a reflection on the main tactic we see in the articles. However, we found that when science is manipulated it is sometimes difficult, as a layman, to identify the points of contention. We also learned how astonishing the rhetorical manipulations and the audacity of the dissemination of information through newsletters for example. Lastly, we found that this debate is not limited to agenda driven organizations but has reached the highest level of the federal government, namely committee hearings in the Senate.

Polly Brennan and Eleazar David Melendez

Project Title: The Scientific and Social Implications of the Worldwide DDT Ban and its Current Controversy

Abstract. The objective of this project was to try to ascertain the validity of a growing international public health and environmental problem: malaria and the use of DDT to stop its spread. In it, we found that, while the public health problem is very real, the environmental problem is tangled in a maze of actors and interests that distort the normal way science and society interact to solve problems. Using the knowledge of how institutions and their interests work to solve problems in the environment, we determined who was who in this issue, analyzed their interests, and compared the data available on the environmental, human, and economic effects. In the end, we found a problem-solving structure in its infancy, that needs big moves from several actors to tackle the issue.

Zaynab Abdullah, Johanne Reynoso, Gabriel Grados

Project Title: El Niño and Peru

Abstract: In the past, the occurrences of the El Niño were closely correlated with severe socioeconomic impacts in Peru. As technology and science evolved, scientists were able to predict El Niño climatic events. As a group we were able to see how evolutions in technology and science are continuing to evolve and how accuracy, overall, has improved. This was evident when focusing on the 1997-98 El Niño even which was the strongest in history and comparing it to the 1982-83 El Niño even, which was weaker yet caused more damage. Overall, with a six-month lead time, Peru was able to prepare itself for the upcoming crises. This in the end proved to be the key to overcoming a successful El Niño event with minimal socioeconomic impacts.

Cesar Ignacio Ruiz Cortez and Izumi Devalier

Project Title: Urban Population, Economic Growth and in Its Environmental Impact: A Shanghai Case Study

Abstract. Our project will take Shanghai, China’s biggest and most densely populated city, as our case study. We will analyze the threat that the confluence of over population, industrialization and urbanization posit in regard to ecology, namely high carbon emissions. Specifically, we will be looking at the correlation between economic growth and energy consumption in Shanghai to see if it has contributed to regional warming. The last part of our project is about finding a solution to the problem of air pollution. Firstly, we will analyze the effectiveness of carbon emission reduction policies should they be applied, by comparing projections of future carbon emissions with and without carbon reduction policies. Lastly, we will analyze whether the government’s emphasis on urban development to alleviate CO2 emissions will be successful.

Laura Conniff, Max Taffel, Hannah Howard

Project Title: Urbanization and Climate Change in China

Abstract: China has developed very quickly since embarking on an ambitious economic reform plan in 1978. Concurrently, its already massive population continued to grow. These factors have converged in the country's rapid urbanization trend, particularly in the country's southeastern region. As cities have grown, there has been an observed effect on the climate – in southeastern China, the mean surface temperature has risen .05 degrees Celsius per decade. We have
endeavored to explain how this problem developed, its implications,
and how it can be ameliorated. We will also examine how the Chinese
government is attempting to solve the problem, and whether their
efforts are having the desired effect. We have discovered that, while
China has started to address the environmental consequences of its
economic development, there is still much work to be done.

Kate Mahoney, Kevin Romoser and Anil Amin

Project Title: A Second Chance: Comparing the Causes and Effects of the Current Southwest Drought to the 1930s Dust Bowl

Abstract. The webpage seeks to compare the anthropogenic and climatic causes of the 1930s Dust Bowl to those of the current drought, and to determine how the experience 70 years ago has affected our ability to prevent and adapt to a second environmental disaster. Our research demonstrates that the climatic causes of the two crises are very similar - rising Sea Surface temperatures lead to an extended decrease in precipitation in the Southwest. Anthropogenically, however, the two droughts differ significantly. While the Dust Bowl was caused in part by irresponsible and inefficient agricultural policies, states and the federal government have since established water and soil conservation policies as well as response and mitigation procedures to cope with the drought. The new concern, however, is that the continued release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere will pose a greater threat of drought conditions in the future, by exacerbating La Nina conditions in the Pacific and increasing the likelihood of drought. Thus - irresponsible farming procedures are no longer a major threat, but the rise in industry and pollution has taken their place. While as a country we are more equipped to mitigate the effects of severe drought, we have yet to implement policies that will help to prevent drought in the future.

Jaysen Medhurst and Liselle Franke

Project Title: Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel for the Transportation Industry

Abstract. Hydrogen has tremendous potential as a fuel-source alternative for the ground transportation industry and its adoption could address serious environmental and geopolitical issues at stake in today’s society. A number of well-established production methods are currently being used and further researched across the world. Full-scale production and implementation of a hydrogen-fuel economy, however, does not seem realistically possible in the near future (i.e. 20-25 years). There are still several scientific and technological research challenges which must be overcome before hydrogen can be produced, delivered, and used in an economically and environmentally agreeable manner. Current U.S. Administration policy on hydrogen research and design initiatives – while hailed as a step in the right direction – still go unfunded despite President Bush’s declaration of support. A genuine commitment to hydrogen R&D is required before any honest target dates can be discussed.

Cooper Rey and Mark Mattini

Project Title: Expansion of the Sahara Desert

Jared Spencer and Alisa Frohman

Project Title: The Impact of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Innovation

Abstract. The implementation of family planning initiatives has the potential to produce a healthier, better-educated, and more economically secure population. The environmental impact is clear: healthier and wealthier populations have the time and resources to focus on environmental regulation and enforcement. That link can be established by studying the family planning practices in selected developing countries; identifying the connection between family planning and fertility rates; and demonstrating the potential impact of lower fertility rates on quality of life and the environment

Gabriel Soto, Matt Mireles and Irene Han

Project Title: Human Impacts on Forest Fires in the American West

Abstract. Our project addresses how human impacts have contributed to forest fire activity in the western United States. In order to better explore this issue, each team member explored a different area: the history of forest fires, the state of forest fires in the present day and policy measures which are concerned forest fire management. In the end, it is clear that man has changed the forest fire patterns in the American West: first, with the call for the suppression of all forest fires in 1910 and then with the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Jacob Lockhorst and Yi Luo

Profect Title: River Site

Abstract. Because rivers are much more susceptible to climate changes and have more immediate effects on human settlement than oceans, our objective is to research the impacts of global warming on rivers. We chose two rivers, the Mississippi and the Rhine, as case studies for the research. Data show that the increase in global temperature in recent years is occurring simultaneously with increases in extreme precipitation events and extreme flooding and droughts. Though there are not definite correlations, the apparent correlation may not be simply coincidence, just as the flooding of both the Rhine and the Mississippi in 1993 may not simply be coincidental. Scientific models that calculate varying rises in temperature in relation to the river’s discharge rate show in each scenario an increase in the discharge rate in winter and decrease in the summer. So, while we cannot guarantee that global warming will lead to more flooding, we can conclude from the data that in the future the winters will be wetter and the summers will be drier along the two rivers.

Tamieka Goulbourne, Kai Twanmoh, Wen Zhou

Project Title: Dust in the Wind: Desertification and Dust Storms in China

Abstract. The main page of our web site is an introduction to studied issue and a general synopsis of our objectives and progress throughout the course of our research and website development. We set out to examine desertification in China and the way in which it is causing an increasing frequency and intensity of dust storms. The lives of millions are being affected in both natural and socioeconomic ways and the situation is one of not only great importance, but great timeliness in perspective of this course and its content. We attempt to present a scientific analysis of the issue at hand, as well as an objective critique of the government policies that are seeking to mitigate the damage, as well as some that are unfortunately exacerbating it. Most importantly, we want to stress that the "local" problem of desertification and dust storms in China has global impact and finding a solution requires international understanding and cooperation.

Nickole Miller, Julia Robinson, and Raquel Otheguy

Project Title: The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine: The Promise of Biodiesel

Abstract: Americans consume a lot of energy each year and 86% of that energy comes from fossil fuels. Appalled with our dependence on the non-renewable energy source petroleum, we set out to examine the promise of biodiesel, a renewable source of energy. We explored five important biodiesel topics: what it is, its benefits and problems, statistics, implementation and policy, and how to get involved. Biodiesel is any fuel that is made from biological supplies such as vegetable oil or animal fat. It is an attractive fuel option because it is environmentally friendly, compatible with already existing diesel engines, and doesn’t hinder engine performance. While biodiesel provides a clean alternative to detrimental fossil fuels, because of agricultural and socioeconomic concerns, large scale implementation would require a lot of incentive work by the government. That said, we believe that biodiesel is an important step that can be made in making our planet greener.

Jesse Waldman and Anabell Martinez

Project Title: Biodiversity: the detrimental effects of deforestation on the
rainforest ecosystem

Abstract. This website addresses the problems facing the world's tropical
rainforests. This chiefly due to various means of deforestation.
First, the various contributors to deforestation, including commercial
logging, are defined and explored, as well as their effects on the
rainforest land. Next, the scientific concept of biodiversity, the
variety and abundance of species, is introduced and developed. The
website then turns to the local impacts of deforestation on the
rainforest ecosystem and surrounding communities. Afterwards, it
addresses how rainforest destruction effects the global community,
effecting such processes as large-scale climate change and medicine.
A brief overview of the policy surrounding rainforest conservation
follows. Finally, there is an "act now" section, which provides ways
for individuals to get involved, and help save the rainforest.

Rita Harvey, Christien Tompkins, and Kinouye Jennifer Oki

Project Title: AIDS, Population, and Africa’s Development Gap

Abstract. AIDS, Population, and Africa’s Development Gap sought to investigate the ongoing impact of the AIDS epidemic on the population and development of the continent of Africa. The page explored the projected populations of two Sub-Saharan African nations alongside the United States and Denmark to show the different effects of AIDS on nations in various stages of development (with regards to the Demographic Transition Theory), Sub-Saharan Africa being the most affected by the epidemic. The impact that AIDS has on a given population affects its specific demographics, retarding and reversing economic development in the countries which are most greatly affected by HIV/AIDS. The working adult segments of the population are the most impacted, devastating the developmental progress of these countries. Without significant efforts to curtail this epidemic, emerging African nation moving toward industrialization (with increased death rate as birth rates begin to decline), resulting in a stage that does not fit necessary fit into the projections given Demographic Transition model. Change is necessary if Africa’s nations are to develop as they should.

Michelle Gerard and Jessica Coppola

Project Title: The American Southwest: Desert, Global Warming and Urbanization

Abstract. According to the Census Bureau, eight of the nation's top ten fastest growing large cities (with 100,000 or more people) since 2000 lie in the Western states of Arizona, Nevada and California (U.S. Census, 2003), and Phoenix is the sixth most populous city in the country. Three of those top-ten cities are in suburbs of Phoenix. This growth is putting pressure on already scare desert water resources and, coupled with global warming, is changing the local climate. How do population growth and urbanization affect resources and climate, and what can we do about water exploitation and urban heat islands?

Updated December 6, 2005