9/12/14

This weekend's homework is to begin working on the Sustainability PBAT. On Monday, we will be discussing the sustainability of humankind, so everyone is required to prepare and bring a written page with them (either notes based on readings or your draft of the PBAT at this point). This way all participants in the discussion will be better informed and we can have a more meaningful discussion.

In Class on Friday

Use the following links to start gaining perspective, evidence, etc. in order to form a claim about the sustainability of humanity.

Hungry Planet: What the World Eats

Material World

At Home over the weekend

Gather further evidence and come prepared to discuss the sustainability of humanity in class on Monday. Coming prepared means you have a page of notes, ideas, evidence, etc. that you can share with your classmates.

Your textbook is filled with case studies and background information. For example,

“Pandemics and World Population Growth” p. 60

“The Prophecy of Malthus” p. 68

4.7 “The Human Carrying Capacity of Earth” p. 73

4.8 “Can We Achieve Zero Population Growth?” p. 74-75

“National Energy Policy: From Coast-to-Coast Energy Crisis to Promoting Energy Independence” p. 287
“Peak Oil: Are We Ready for It?” p. 304 and p. 323

“The Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010” p. 552

Further resources

- Sustainability Rating for 30 Countries
- Worldwatch Report 186: Creating Sustainable Prosperity in the United States
- TED.org - the Plants and/or End of Oil? playlists have selections that could be helpful/interesting