INQ-300 | Truth & CO2nsequences

Full Title: Truth & CO2nsequences

Topic Description:

Climate change is seen as a controversial topic today. What is meant by climate change? Is it the same as global warming? How has fossil fuel consumption impacted the atmosphere? Are cow farts actually a legitimate, serious problem? Is an extinction-level, global climate apocalypse just a few short years away? What’s true, what’s hyperbole, and how do informed citizens tell the difference? In the first part of this course, students will explore fundamental principles of chemistry to better understand the Earth’s climate, utilize quantitative methods to critically analyze scientific data, review relevant articles and governmental reports, and assess various climate change claims present within today’s civil discourse. Afterwards, drawing on their experiences within the Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities, groups will work to investigate a specific problem contributing to climate change and advocate for a strategy that addresses this problem, assessing the relevant scientific, socioeconomic, and cultural impacts.

Counts as Global? No

Topic Approved: October 2022