Lecture 2: Student Projects and Bonus Questions
Lecture 2: Student Projects and Bonus Questions
Page 1
- Introduction to Lecture 2 covering student projects and bonus questions.
Page 2: Bonus Questions
- A bonus question will be included on the midterm and final exams, contributing 10% to the overall grade.
- The bonus question will require using Internet resources.
- Topics for bonus questions include films predicting eco-apocalypse and discussions surrounding endangered species.
- Students will receive the bonus question approximately one month prior to the exam. This is considered one of the best methods for improving grades.
Page 3
- Discussion on special effects in filmmaking:
- Reference to 1954 films which did not use CGI.
- Actors were required to perform physically demanding stunts, such as walking through fire and stomping on things while wearing rubber suits under high-temperature lights, making it a challenging and hot job.
Page 4: Technical Description of Film Suits
- The original full suit worn by actors weighed 220 pounds.
Page 5: First Bonus Question
- The first bonus question focuses on watching a selection of films about environmental issues available on the Internet.
- The emphasis is not on preachy documentaries but on films such as:
- Godzilla
- Them
- Toxic Avenger
- Road Warrior
- Soylent Green
- Students are to answer questions concerning their opinions and provide information about the environmental issues relevant at the time these movies were produced that contributed to their impact.
- Each student can select up to 6 films from a total of 10.
Page 6: Example of Film Inquiry
- Inquiring about the global environmental issue at the heart of the plot for Road Warrior (1981), noting it also lacked CGI.
Page 7: Second Bonus Question
- The second bonus question will pertain to endangered species from a list provided by the FWS endangered species website.
- Each student will receive an individualized list of ten species.
- The instructor selects species with unique or unusual names, such as the plant “Furbish Lousewort.”
Page 8: Furbish's Lousewort
- Information about Furbish's Lousewort can be found in various areas:
- Saint John River
- Regions including Owler, VT, Maine, New Brunswick, Saint John River, and Quebec.
Page 9: Mythical Creature Assignment
- The integration of mythical creatures into the project:
- Each student will receive details about a real mythical creature, such as La Lechuza, the Vampire Owl from Mexico.
- Students are tasked with finding a picture and a map of their assigned mythical creature.
Page 10: Final Exam Bonus Question Details
- For the final exam, again, students will receive individual lists of 10 species related to environmental contexts:
- Species include most that are endangered, some common, some threatened, some extinct, and at least one mythical.
- Resources will involve the U.S. FWS website for pictures, maps of critical habitat, status information, and a “fun fact” about each species.
- Each species analysis can earn students up to 3 points for a document submitted to the instructor.
Page 11: Student Presentations
- Student presentations are allocated 400 points, contributing 40% to the overall grade.
- The presentations involve creating PowerPoint presentations that last approximately 10-15 minutes and will cover a range of essential topics.
- Many questions on the final exam will derive from student presentations, with PDF versions provided on Blackboard for review.
Page 12: Presentation Requirements
- Each student is expected to prepare and post a PowerPoint presentation consisting of 15-20 slides:
- Incorporate maps, aerial imagery, graphs, or charts.
- The presentation must cover a chosen topic and include sources at the end.
- Students must also explain why they selected their topic and aim to make the presentation interesting, possibly including humor.
- Presentation will not be done in class, thus enough captions and text slides should be included for clarity and understanding.
- The due date for submissions is April 23, and comments will be provided on the preliminary draft along with opportunities for revisions based on feedback.
- Topic selection follows a first-come, first-served basis, with modifications possible in the event of overlapping interests among students.
Page 13: Potential Topics for Presentations
- Students may select topics from the list provided in the syllabus or propose their own, which must be approved by the instructor.
- It is more likely that proposed topics will be accepted if they relate to natural resources or environmental issues or if the student has prior knowledge or interest in the subject.
Page 14: Example Topic - Barbed Wire
- One suggested topic includes the history of barbed wire, often referred to by the nickname DEVIL'S ROPE, along with its societal implications.
- Relevant institutions may include museums on Route 66 and in Texas.
Page 15: Example Topic - Standard Oil
- The history of Standard Oil and its associated entities, including Esso, Mobil, Exon, Unocals, Chevron, and subsequent splits leading to ExxonMobil's formation.
- An emphasis on timeline development from 1870 through 2010.
Page 16: Notable Figure - Jeanne Calment
- Notable demographics focusing on Jeanne Calment, who lived from 1875-1997, as an example of longevity in the context of historical figures.
Page 17: Total Fertility Rates in Russia (2023)
- Statistical representation of Russia’s total fertility rates segmented into categories:
- Rates below 1.0 to greater than 2.0.
- Specific figures include:
- 0.88 in Leningrad Oblast
- 2.66 in the Chechen Republic
- Source: fedstat.ru/indicator/31517, indicating demographic trends within Russia.
Page 18: Agriculture Overview
- Discussion of large-scale industrial agriculture, with a focus on giant chicken farms.
Page 19: Agriculture and Drug Cartels in Mexico
- Examination of avocado farming in Mexico and its association with drug cartels:
- Individual Gustavo Melchor Rodriguez, born December 24, 1975, passing on October 10, 2020 may be referenced as a pertinent case study.
Page 20: Toxic Waste Management
- Issues related to heavy metals and air toxins particularly highlighted during LA wildfires as an environmental concern.
Page 21: Agricultural Luxury
- Overview of super luxury fruits cultivated in Japan, showcasing agricultural distinction.
Page 22: Ecology and Climate Change
- Investigation into emperor penguins, detailing ecological threats posed by climate change and resultant shifts in habitat.
Page 23: Illegal Seahorse Trade
- A study revealing the illegal trade of seahorses, highlighting millions smuggled across 60 countries despite stringent global trade regulations.
- The study is attributed to Project Seahorse and OceansAsia, documenting the underlying environmental and ethical implications.
Page 24: Air Pollution in India
- Presentation of an air pollution concentration map, illustrating levels across India as of November 4, 2019, with severity indicated from good to hazardous levels.
Page 25: Wildlife Management
- Discussion on how rat poison contributed to the conservation of a previously labeled extinct gecko, showcasing wildlife management and rehabilitation efforts.
Page 26: Solar Energy Concerns
- Exploration of scams associated with solar energy, critically addressing fraudulent practices in the solar industry.
Page 27: Water Conservation Initiatives
- Highlight of the Klamath River Dam removal project intended for water conservation and ecosystem rehabilitation.
Page 28: Mountain Lion Presence in Nebraska
- Intensive study on mountain lion populations, focusing on confirmed sightings in Nebraska from 1991 - Present.
- Key highlights include:
- First modern confirmation in Pine Ridge in 1991.
- Documented births of kittens in 2007.
- Pine Ridge identified as the largest established population with 15-22 individuals.
- Analysis of population dynamics within the Niobrara River Valley and evidence of new populations.
Page 29: Management of Mountain Lion populations
- Relevant discussion raised regarding the increasing number of mountain lions in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, alongside ethical considerations of potential hunting.
Page 30: Grazing Lands and Bison Ranching
- Discussion of bison ranching on grazing lands, addressing sustainable agricultural practices.
Page 31: Deep Sea Mining
- Examination of the impact of deep sea mining and an ecology overview of deep sea vents highlighting environmental concerns.
Page 32: Environmental Impact of Mining
- Case study of a failed tailings dam in a Chinese copper mine in Zambia that led to severe water pollution and ecological damage to the local river ecosystem.
Page 33: Mining Ethics Related to Mercury Usage
- Exploration of the use of mercury in artisanal gold mining and its implications for health and environmental sustainability.
Page 34: Water Pollution and Public Health
- An overview of the conflict between surfers and sewage, emphasizing issues around public health and recreational water use amidst pollution crises.
Page 35: Sustainable Forestry Practices
- Discussion on raising teak trees in farm settings, focusing on sustainable forestry practices.
Page 36: Environmental Ethics in Media
- Analysis of Bambi (1942) and the environmental ethics portrayed in popular culture, particularly focusing on the seriousness required during war times leading to more serious themes in children's cartoons.
Page 37
Page 38: Conservation Messaging
- Promotion of Smokey Bear, emphasizing fire prevention and conservation, encapsulated in the famous phrase "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires."
Page 39: War Balloons Incident
- Historical incident involving 9,000 balloon bombs, with only 900 landing on U.S. soil and resulting in confirmed deaths in Oregon, a topic analyzing wartime tactics and their unintended consequences.
Page 40: Perspectives on Environmental Heroes
- Commentary on the character of Captain Planet highlighting preferences for complex villains over stereotypical heroes, alluding to perceptions in environmental activism narratives.
Page 41: Context on Investment Ethics
- Discussion reflecting on investment decisions related to environmental issues, questioning the missed opportunities connected to film messaging about rainforest protection.
Page 42: Natural Pest Control
- Emphasizing the benefits of ladybugs as a natural pest control alternative, targeting specific pests like aphids and spider mites without chemical interventions.
Page 43: Public Health Issues with Bed Bugs
- Outlining the growing problem of bed bugs, contrasting public sympathy shown toward friendly insects like ladybugs versus the aversion to pests like bed bugs.
Page 44: Soil Impact on Crop Quality
- Investigation into how the soil quality affects the taste of crops, specifically looking into which soils produce the best-tasting fruits and vegetables.
Page 45: Regional Potato Promotion
- Focus on the Red River Valley potatoes, renowned for their flavor due to the region's unique soil composition, emphasizing the value of local agricultural products.
- Promotional messaging highlights consumer experiences and the esteem associated with Red River Valley produce.
Page 46: Regional Agricultural Disparities
- Comparative analysis between potato sourcing in Texas—primarily from Colorado, which has rocky, low organic matter soils—against the superior quality of potatoes from the Red River Valley.
Page 47: Oil Exploration in Alaska
- Overview of the Smith Bay oil field project in Alaska and its proposed pipeline routes, outlining the environmental significance of oil extraction in the region.
Page 48: Ocean Fisheries and Shrimp Farming
- Examination of shrimp farming within ocean fisheries, discussing sustainability and environmental impact.
Page 49: Climate Change Effects on Weather Patterns
- Discussion on the polar vortex effects and the connection between warming climates and increasing winter storm frequency.
Page 50: Challenges of Recycling Wind Turbine Parts
- Addressing issues surrounding recycling used wind turbine components, discussing implications for renewable energy sustainability efforts.
Page 51: Marine Resources of the Grand Banks
- Introduction to the marine resources found in the Grand Banks, led by researcher Peter Adell.
Page 52: Ocean Ranger Drilling Rig Incident (1980)
- Reflections on historical events regarding drilling rig operations, particularly focusing on Ocean Ranger in the 1980s.
Page 53: Nuclear Energy Discussion
- Consideration of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors as potential solutions, contrasting perceptions around their establishment being a solution or a scam.
Page 54: Soil Loss and Desertification
- Defining soil loss and desertification, alongside strategies that can be implemented to mitigate these environmental issues.
- Mapping of vulnerability across regions to indicate areas at low, moderate, high, and very high risk of desertification.
Page 55: Hazardous Waste Exportation
- Documentation of concerns regarding the export of hazardous wastes to developing countries, particularly in West Africa.
Page 56: Impact of Fishing Lodges
- Analysis of the impact and economic status surrounding fly-in fishing lodges in Alaska, focusing on tourism and environmental consequences.
Page 57: Environmental Impacts of Cocaine Production
- Exploration of the environmental impacts associated with cocaine production, discussing both ecological harm and societal repercussions.
Page 58: Landfill Reuse Projects
- The initiative regarding the reuse of landfills for community projects such as converting into golf courses and xeriscaped parks, promoting sustainability and land reclamation.