Lead 1011 Team Global Problem Research Your Team Has Selecte
Lead 1011team Global Problem Research Your Team Has Selected A Glob
Your team has selected a global problem that will be the focus of your work for the rest of the course. As you are preparing to create a product (poster, web page, video etc.) that raises awareness of your global problem, your group is tasked to perform background research on this problem. The background research you perform has 2 main purposes: 1. Your group will thoroughly familiarize itself with the global problem you selected. 2.
Your group will collect background information on the global problem that will be relevant when designing your product (poster, web page, video etc). For the global problem you selected, perform research and prepare a write-up that thoroughly investigates at least the following areas: 1. What is the nature of the global problem? 2. Who is impacted by the problem? 3. How does your problem affect the world/society/environment? 4. What are the causes and the consequences of the problem? 5. What countries does your problem impact? 6. How severe is the problem? Is it getting better or worse? 7. Are there any solutions for this problem and how effective are they? 8. Does your problem impact any specific age range, gender or race? 9. Does the addition of new technologies affect your problem? If so, how come?
Important: When writing this submission keep in mind that it is intended to be the background research that you will use to create your product (poster, web page, video). Also, try to support your write-up with evidence (properly referenced – just be consistent). Include charts, photos, and data as you feel appropriate to document the problem. Include as much evidence as possible to support your argument that the problem is a global problem.
Notes Submit your homework electronically to Canvas before the class on this day. This homework is a group assignment. LEAD Make sure to include your names and group name at the top of your entry. This homework should not be any longer than 5 pages. This entry will be graded on completeness and thoughtfulness. TEAM GLOBAL PROBLEM RESEARCH
Paper For Above instruction
The global problem selected by the team for this research project is climate change, an issue of paramount importance affecting the entire planet. This comprehensive background research aims to elucidate the nature, impacts, causes, and potential solutions related to climate change, providing a solid foundation for creating an awareness-raising product such as a poster, webpage, or video.
Nature of the Global Problem
Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in global temperatures and weather patterns primarily driven by human activities, notably the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) (IPCC, 2021). It manifests through rising average temperatures, melting ice caps, rising sea levels, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes that climate change is a result of anthropogenic activity and poses an existential threat to life on Earth (IPCC, 2021).
Impacted Populations and Demographics
Climate change impacts a wide range of populations, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups including low-income communities, indigenous peoples, small island nations, and rural populations. These groups typically have fewer resources to adapt and face higher risks from climate-induced disasters such as floods, droughts, and hurricanes (UNDP, 2020). Children, the elderly, and marginalized racial groups are also more susceptible to health issues and displacement caused by climate disturbances.
Effects on Society, Environment, and the World
The societal impacts of climate change are profound, involving increased health risks, food and water insecurity, economic disruptions, and displacement. Environmentally, climate change leads to loss of biodiversity, habitat destruction, and altered ecosystems (World Wildlife Fund, 2021). Globally, these effects threaten peace and stability, as resource scarcity exacerbates conflicts and migration pressures (Barnett &Adger, 2007).
Causes and Consequences
The primary causes of climate change include burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, industrial activities, and agriculture. Deforestation reduces carbon absorption capacity, while increased CO2 emissions trap more heat in the atmosphere (NASA, 2020). Consequences encompass rising sea levels, intensified storms, droughts, and widespread species extinction. Economic costs are also escalating, with damages from climate disasters reaching billions annually (Stern, 2007).
Countries Affected and Severity
All countries are affected by climate change, though impacts vary. Small island nations such as Maldives and Tuvalu face existential threats from rising seas, while developed countries experience extreme weather events and economic losses (Climate Risk Index, 2022). Since the late 20th century, climate change has accelerated, with worsening events, though some initiatives have slowed progress in certain regions.
Solutions and Effectiveness
Solutions include transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing reforestation programs, enhancing energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices. International agreements like the Paris Accord aim to limit global warming and have shown promise but require global cooperation to be fully effective (UNFCCC, 2015). Technological innovations such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) also hold potential, but their scalability remains under development (IPCC, 2021).
Impact on Demographics and Technology
Women, children, and marginalized racial groups tend to bear a disproportionate burden of climate impacts, including health disparities and economic disadvantages. Advances in technology, particularly renewable energy, climate modeling, and geoengineering, influence the scope and scale of responses. While technology offers solutions, it also poses ethical and environmental challenges that must be managed responsibly (Schaeffer et al., 2021).
Conclusion
In sum, climate change is a complex, multifaceted global problem with widespread impacts across societal, environmental, and economic domains. Its causes are predominantly anthropogenic, requiring urgent collective action. Solutions exist but demand robust policy, technological innovation, and global cooperation to mitigate and adapt effectively. This background forms a vital basis for developing an awareness product that educates and motivates action on this critical issue.
References
- Barnett, J., & Adger, W. N. (2007). Climate change, human security and violent conflict. Political Geography, 26(6), 639–655.
- IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
- NASA. (2020). Climate Change: How Do We Know? NASA Global Climate Change.
- Schaeffer, M., et al. (2021). Ethical challenges of geoengineering: balancing innovation and precaution. Nature Communications, 12, 4146.
- Stern, N. (2007). The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review. Cambridge University Press.
- UNFCCC. (2015). Paris Agreement. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
- UNDP. (2020). Human Development Report 2020: The Next Frontier – Human Development and the Anthropocene.
- World Wildlife Fund. (2021). Living Planet Report 2020. WWF International.
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Climate Change 2021: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.
- Climate Risk Index. (2022). Germanwatch. Annual report on climate risk and impacts.