The Environmental Case, Chapter 10: Climate Change

Gore, Al (2009) “Al Gore's new thinking on the climate crisis” TED Talks.

Gore, All (2009) “Al Gore on Climate Crisis,” TED Talks.

Gore, Al (2006) "15 Ways to Avert A Climate Crisis," February, TED Talks.

Reading Questions:

Complete the questions at the conclusion of Chapter 10

Viewing Questions:

1. Have you experienced anything personally that you would attribute to climate change and/or the environment?

2. What was your understanding of climate change before viewing these videos? How did your understanding change or grow as a result of the information Gore presented?

3. Can an individual really do anything to change the pattern of climate change or is it all too overwhelming?

4. Do you agree that human activity is contributing to climate change by its emissions of greenhouse gases? What scientific evidence is there to support your opinion?

5. Gore argues that climate change is a moral issue in addition to a political and scientific one. What difference does it make if we approach this issue from a moral standpoint?

6. Where is Gore getting the information that he is discussing in the films? Do you believe that the scientific evidence he presents is credible? Why or why not? What is needed for a source to be credible?

7. Based on what you read, how does our economic system factor into climate change?

8. Do you agree that political leaders in the U.S. have ignored, or even tried to reverse, the scientific evidence for human’s impact on climate change? What may influence the position a political leader may take on climate change?

9. Do developed nations have a greater responsibility than developing ones given developed countries have already benefitted from energy use in ways that the developing nations are now trying to do?