Writer's Corner Exercises

Write a letter to your state and local representatives asking what plans are in place to safeguard the state and its communities against extreme weather events as our climate continues to warm.  Think specifically about extreme weather events that impact your state, i.e. flooding, hurricanes, drought, etc.  Be sure to provide evidence for your argument based on scientific facts and express why you are concerned, and (depending on your age) you will, in the near future, be a voting member of the community.

Using the literary device anthropomorphism, bring the Porites coral to life as you summarize a strong El Niño season and its effect on the Porites community. Be sure to include science vocabulary, thought-out explanations, the feeling and impact of the experience, as well as, proper spelling and grammar. Have fun with it, be creative and show what you know!

Using claims and evidence from episode 1, explain how deforestation is a global problem.

Read the Bloomberg Businessweek article – El Niño’s Arrival Seen by all Models, Australian Bureau Says. Write about the economic impact a powerful El Niño during 2014-2015 coupled with global warming’s climate impacts could have for different parts of the world.  Explain why this matters where you live.

Albedo is a rather foreign word to many people. Craft a 2 minute “elevator speech” that would allow you to effectively explain what albedo is, why it is a considered a cycle without an end, and why it is of concern to you.  Your goal after the “elevator ride” is to leave the person wanting to know more about the topic.

As climate changes the habitats of many species are impacted.  The focus of our work was around Alaska.  There several species that are considered endangered or threatened in this part of the United States, including the iconic polar bear, Northern Sea otter, Stellar’s Eastern and Western Sea Lion, and many other animal, fish, and plant species.

Our energy practices from extraction to production and from transmission to consumption have a significant impacts on climate change. We see those effects quickest at the poles in the form of ice melt leading to global sea level rise.

Writing from the perspective of a Hot Shot, write 5 journal entries that take place over the course of a week depicting the experiences encountered while fighting a wildfire in California.

Read this brief article: Fire Detection Tool Puts Some Industries in the Hot Seat.  Explain how this article relates to the issues and events from correspondent Harrison Ford in Episode 2: The End of the Woods.

Start a writing letter campaign to your local and state government officials about the need to address climate change in your state as a way to combat extended, harsher fire seasons. It won’t be long till your vote counts!