Oceans and Global Climate: This is still a science paper, but is weighted a bit heavier on policy and impacts. Your Earth Summit country will have a particular interest in one or more of the topics listed below. You will need to decide the most important topic(s) to address.

 

Write this paper from the point of view of someone who will present your country and its ocean and climate related issues to the United Nations. Put your local issues in the context of global processes. Use data. For example, if you are talking about sea level rise, show data on sea level rise. Relate your topic(s) to the global "big picture."  You could discuss how the regional environment differs from global patterns. Use the data from the WorldWatcher CD and the Internet.

 

Content Guidelines: same as Plate Tectonics Paper

 

Issues you could address in your writing assignment (feel free to develop others that are not in this list: check with your TA):

*      Climate biozones

*      Precipitation Patterns

*      Pollution

*      Wind patterns

*      Ocean circulation patterns (e.g. effect on local weather)

*      Effects of global warming on your country

*     What your country adds or doesn't add to global warming

*      Ice cap melting and sea level changes

*      Yearly events (e.g. monsoon and other seasonal events)

*      Effects of El Nino and La Nina

*      Ozone hole effects

*      Variations in precipitation (drought/deluge)

*      Volcanic eruptions affecting local conditions (e.g. Mt. Pinatubo eruption)

*     Changes in albedo (deforestation, melting ice caps)

 

Don't miss these tutorials that can guide you to data sites and how to use the data.

 

Use the mini-studies in labs 5 and 6 to guide you in your data explorations of particular environmental/science issues.

 

Other hints: Someplace in your paper, you should discuss the most important global climate and environmental issues, from your country's perspective. Some countries will find pollution reduction to be highest on the list while others may not. Is population a factor? For example, Canadian lakes in the far north are acidifying due to pollution emitted by northeastern U.S. industrial activity. Therefore, Canada can be expected to be interested in emission and pollution controls.

 

It is not necessary to address every climate and environmental issue affecting your country.  Instead, choose the topic or topics of greatest interest/impact to your country.  It is preferable to discuss one topic thoroughly than to skim multiple topics.

 

Where to get information: There are many source of information on the Internet and in the library. The WorldWatcher CD has both climate and demographic information. Please check the oceanography web site for a list of resources and Internet links to resources.