Should the United States Sign the Kyoto Treaty?

  

  
Introduction:

       The Kyoto Treaty is an agreement, signed by most of the world's countries, that attempts to reduce worldwide CO2  emissions, thereby reducing the threat of what has been called "global warming" or "the greenhouse effect."  The United States is one of the few countries which has failed to ratify this treaty, despite being responsible for anywhere from 1/4 to 1/3 of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.     

        The failure of the United States to sign the Treaty is of great concern internationally.  What do scientists feel is the threat of global warming--if any?  On what grounds has the USA refused to sign the treaty?  What were the reasons that most other countries, including most of America's strongest allies, did sign it?    

 
Task         You are to find out as much as you can about global warming and the impact that CO2 emissions might have on it.  You will be given an "expert's role" to play and your research will emphasize that person's specialty and point of view.  You and other members of your group will present your findings and recommendations to the class--who will represent the U.S. Senate.  They will vote on whether or not the Kyoto Treaty should be signed by the United States.  If it passes, it will then be presented to the President for his signature or veto..  
Resources         The following links should be helpful to you in completing your WebQuest.  You may also find additional materials using library and home resources.  
 

WEB SITES FOR GLOBAL WARMING

WEB SITES FOR GLOBAL WARMING

 

1) The Kyoto Treaty

 

2) New Zealand feels Kyoto is an opportunity 

 

3)Oklahoma Oilmen’s Opinion--

 

4) NDRC Site on Global Warming

 

5)Sierra Club Site on Global Warming-- 

 

6) National Academy of Sciences Site--

 

7) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--

 

8) Woods Hole Research Center--

 

9) Coral Bleaching Index--

 

10) Rocky Mountain Institute—energy conservation--

 

11) EPA Global Warming Site--

 

12) Frontline—Global Warming Debate--

 

13) Environmental News Network--

 

14) Rainforest Action Network --

 

15) The Myth of Global Warming--

 

16-102,300) -- Have fun surfing; sites are all over the place!

 

  
Process 1)  Choose a group of 4 other students with whom you wish to work.

2) Each member must choose what kind of "expert" they wish to become from the list below.  Choose your specialty in reverse alphabetical order until all the "experts" roles have been filled:

a) meteorologist/oceanographer; 

b) ecologist specializing in the impact of global warming on terrestrial plant and animal communities;

c) energy efficiency expert from (Amory Lovins) Rocky Mountain Institute;

d) President of the United Nations from the Seychelles;

e) Texas oilman/energy company executive.

3) Write a 10-15 minute speech illustrating your findings and conclusions.  You may use fact sheets, overhead transparencies, and/or posters in your presentation.

4) Present the speech to your group members--allowing them to constructively criticize points you have attempted to make in your speech. 

5) Improve your speech based on what you have heard from your teammates.

6) Present the improved speech to the class (Senate)  Speeches should be given in the order a,b,c,d, and e.  Class members should take notes.

7) Allow the class 15-30 minutes to debate the issue based on the information provided by the experts.

8) Have the Senate (class) vote on the Kyoto Treaty.  If the treaty passes, it will be sent on to the President.

9) A thirty question multiple choice quiz will then be given to the class to see how well they have learned the basics of global warming.  You and your teammates will have the responsibility of writing questions for the test.  Your questions should be presented to the teacher for editing and printing.

 

 

  
Evaluation
           
         
Oral Presentation Rubric : Oral presentation regarding Kyoto Treaty  
         
           
         
Teacher Name: Mr. Koch-Weser        
         
         
Student Name:     ________________________________________    
         
CATEGORY 4 3 2 1  
Collaboration with Peers Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Tries to keep people working well together. Usually listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Does not cause "waves" in the group. Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group but sometimes is not a good team member. Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Often is not a good team member.  
Speaks Clearly Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, and mispronounces no words. Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, but mispronounces one word. Speaks clearly and distinctly most ( 94-85%) of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word. Often mumbles or can not be understood OR mispronounces more than one word.  
Enthusiasm Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others. Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others. Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seem somewhat faked. Very little use of facial expressions or body language. Did not generate much interest in topic being presented.  
Content Shows a full understanding of the topic. Shows a good understanding of the topic. Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic. Does not seem to understand the topic very well.  
Multiple choice exam Class gets 90% right Class gets 80% right Class gets 65% right Class gets less than 65% right  
         
Date Created: Feb 17, 2004 05:47 pm (CST)        
         
 		  
Conclusion Well, did you get Congress to ratify the Kyoto Treaty?  Did you want them to?  Whether or not you succeeded you have still learned a great deal about the causes of global warming and the potential impact it could have on marine and terrestrial ecosystems, not to mention cities and cropland near world coastal areas. 

The president of the United Nations may now be living (permanently) in NYC, while the rest of his countrymen discuss the shape of things with the residents of Atlantis.   And, if Congress has seen fit to "protect the American economy" by rejecting Kyoto, India and China may be well on their ways to burning the huge amounts of high sulfur coal laying just under the surfaces of their lands--they're just following our lead! 

Regardless, we still have the right to elect those officials that we feel are most sympathetic to our views--so make sure you're carrying that voter's registration card in your wallet!  And while you're at it, learn what you can about the "Soft Path" of energy development--it's a very different way of confronting the world's "energy crisis."