Discussions

1. Effects of Population Growth

Due to the interconnectivity of species on the planet, the continuing increase in human populations has numerous effects. Identify one effect of human population growth on the environment that your classmates have not yet posted. State that threat in bold at the top of your post so others can see it clearly. Create a post to describe the impact.

• What species are affected?
• Is it a worldwide problem or is it a local problem?
• Are humans affected?
• Predict the effect if human population growth continues.
• Is there a way to solve the problem without ceasing or reducing human population growth?

Your initial posting should be 250-500 words and APA Citation

2. Arguing Climate Change is Real

Climate change is a controversial topic, but one scientists clearly have plenty of data to prove. If there is so much data, why are there still critics of climate change? Search the Internet for one argument that climate change is not occurring - one that has not been posted by your classmates in the discussion. Clearly state the argument against in one sentence at the top of your post and make it bold so your classmates can find it easily. Below that describe the reasons for the argument against climate change, then present your argument for why climate change is real and what is wrong with the argument against it. Write this as if you were writing to the critic of climate change trying to change his mind. What approach would you take?

Your initial posting should be 250-500 words and APA Citation

3. The threats of habitat loss and pollution

Identify some species of interest to you that your classmates have not discussed yet. Maybe they are local ones, or maybe they live on another continent. Review the IUCN Red List to find one whose threats to survival include habitat loss or pollution.

• What is the primary cause of habitat loss or pollution for this species? Are there loggers cutting down their forest? Is desertification transforming their grassland to dry desert? Are humans building roads and cutting up a formerly continuous landscape into discontinuous patches? Is pollution from a factory degrading the natural health of the stream where it lives? Are plastic items found in its habitat creating a threat to its survival?

• What impact does this have on the species living there?

• What benefit might companies that pollute incur from disregarding the impact on the environment? What benefit might companies that increase habitat loss incur? Why would they be resistant to change?

• Formulate a plan to reduce the threat to the environment imposed by these companies. Try to accommodate any needs of the companies causing the problem so they want to help.

Your initial posting should be 250-500 words and APA Citations.