"Global Warming -- Science Data and Our Response"
On April 17 the IB juniors traveled to Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso to learn about and discuss the facts and controversy surrounding the issue of global warming. Sponsored by the Duneland Rotary, students heard via video from Steve Gorham about the data supporting the changes in the Earth regarding precipitation, temperature, storms, ice formations and movement, etc. He is the Executive Director of the Climate Science Coalition of America (CSCA), a non-political association of scientists, engineers, and citizens dedicated to informing Americans about the realities of climate science and energy economics.
The regional director for Senator Joe Donnelly then spoke to share how he is urging Congress to be more proactive in responding to global warming.
After the lunch break, Dr. Gary Morris, physics professor at Valparaiso University, presented more data about our own area, information about where students can locate the data on their own, and our human government response to the data. He posed several questions such as, "Are there more pressing human global issues?" "What should our response be?" "Do you agree that we should have the EPA regulations that we do?" "What do you think after hearing both sides?"
Students were divided into groups and intermixed with students from other schools to spend 45 minutes gathering their own data and drawing their own conclusions regarding one of the Earth's changes that seems to support global warming. They then appointed a spokesperson from each group to discuss their conclusions and response to what was presented. The students presented; Dr. Morris offered his response to their comments; and the takeaway of the day wrapped up in most agreeing that 1) monitoring is certainly necessary and 2) taking care of the pressing needs of clean drinking water and food may lead to more people having the resources to make a better effort to save humans and in turn, save planet Earth!