Dickinson to Durban » Archive
Evidence of Anthropogenic Warming
Referring to figure 3 on page 182 in Weart, how would you argue that we have entered a time of anthropogenic warming? If you had been living in the 16th to 19th centuries and had the data of figure 3 to that point in time how would you argue the possibility of climate change? Extrapolating a story from climate change data is difficult because there is a great deal of variability involved. Weather and temperature change constantly so exact numbers often fade to averages and estimates. The further back in history one explores, the more uncertainty there will be simply because of less technology and attention paid to the subject. However, through ice, pollen, soil, and fossil samples, scientists have pieced together the story of earth’s climate. The graph on page … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Summer Reading Responses
Manipulators of Science
The process of science is one of questioning, testing, interpreting results, challenging findings, retesting, reviewing evidence and asking new questions. Are the activities of scientists who are said to be merchants of doubt about climate change different from what constitutes good scientific practice? In Merchants of Doubt, Oreskes and Conway expose the fact that ‘scientists’ such as Fred Singer and Fred Seitz are not really scientists at all. Yes, they challenge findings and constantly refuse to accept studies because they say they need to be retested, but their motives are not to further scientific knowledge for the betterment of people. Their sole objective is to make money by ensuring that the industries in which they invest and the organizations which fund their ‘research’ are not rejected by society as a result … Read entire article »
Filed under: Climate Change, Summer Reading Responses
Resorting to Violence: Did the ANC have a choice?
Explain the reasons behind the creation of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). Do you think adopting violence as a method strengthened or weakened the anti-apartheid movement? Adopting violence as the movement’s revised strategy after almost fifty years of preaching nonviolent resistance was undoubtedly a complicated decision with immense ramifications. On one hand, the choice to use violence demonstrated to ANC supporters that nonviolence could not destroy Apartheid which is demoralizing. It showed that they were not strong and united enough to conquer violence without partaking in it. On the other hand, the ANC simply did not have a choice. They would not achieve their vision of a free state for all people without using more aggressive means to achieve it. Due to the force of the National Party, violence did strengthen the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Summer Reading Responses
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