Colorado River

1) What is meant by the statement, "an inhospitable desert has become a playground, and the Colorado River has become a plumbing system." 2) Describe some of the problems identified by the Colorado River Task Force. 3) What is the California 4.4 plan, and how would it help alleviate these problems? Is it a viable solution?

Ecotourism

Tasks: Assume that you are the mayor of a coastal town where some residents are employed as commercial fishers and others make a living serving ecotourists who come to snorkel and scuba-dive at the nearby coral reef. In recent years, several fish stocks have crashed and ecotourism is dropping off as fish disappear from the increasingly degraded reef. Scientists are urging you to help establish a marine reserve around portions of the reef, but most commercial and recreational fishers are opposed to this idea. 1) What steps would you take to restore your community's economy and environment?

Technological Disasters

Review the five categories of technological disasters. Give real life examples, of how on a smaller scale each of these categories of disasters might occur and affect the project. a) Human factors : A real life example aircraft accident, there was the aircraft accident that happen in Brazil , Kentucky and these small planes dropping like a stone. Many of these accidents happen because of fuel starvation, misjudgment of the pilot or aircraft malfunction. The affect that this may cause are loss of lives, loss of resources, conflict, corruption and also ineffective policies. b) Design factors: c) Organizational System Factors d) Socio-Cultural Factors e) Technological Terrorism ... click for more

Environmental Issues

1) What renewable energy sources and strategies do you think our society should focus on investing in? Give reasons to support to support. 2) Imagine that there is a hydroelectric dam near where you live. Consider what economic benefits and environmental impacts it has in your area. Given this mixture of effects, would you favor the construction of more dams and greater reliance on hydropower? 3) Iceland is giving itself many years to phase in its planned hydrogen economy. Do you think large industrialized nations such as the United States and Canada could transit to a hydrogen economy more quickly, less quickly, or not at all? Why?

Environmental Issue

1) Research on the Web for articles supporting and refuting the idea of Peak Oil. 2) In a short paper, summarize some of the main points from both sides of this debate. 3) Given your research, take and defend a position in the debate. Provide persuasive arguments supporting your position.