Unit 3

Unit 3 TED Talks Assignment

Watch the following TED talks.  If you have any problems understanding the speaker, please note that there is an option to turn on captions (highly suggested!!!). You will likely need to pause the video to answer questions, and even back it up to replay important parts.  

For all assignments, make sure you include the question and your answer written below it in a different font color.   Also make sure that all answers are summarized and not copied and pasted directly from the video's transcript (doing so on even 1 question will result in a 0 on the assignment).

When you finished this assignment, save your answers and upload the saved document to the appropriatedropbox in D2L. Consult the course schedule for the appropriate due date. 

30 points

Video 1: PBS Newshour: San Francisco on Track to Become Zero Waste City

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIPu3PLEkiU

This is not actually a TED talk about a short pbs video about solid waste and what San Francisco is trying to do to become a zero waste society.

1. How many pounds of garbage does the average person throw out a day?

2. What does San Francisco require their residents/businesses to do with their trash?

3. San Francisco’s recycling/composting laws have kept what percentage of waste out of landfills? How does this compare to the nation’s average?

4. Name at least 3 things that go into the compost bin at Sven and Deborah’s house.

5. What happens to those that refuse to sort their garbage?

6. After recycling took full effect, what was the biggest fraction of waste (according the representative from Recology)?

7. How many tons of food waste/grass clippings are coming into Recology each day? What is it used to create? What is this product then used for?

8. What is a benefit (beyond environmental) of moving towards a zero waste society? Give an example of this.

9. What are some of the things that skeptics are saying about San Francisco’s recycling/composting figures? How does the mayor respond to this?

10. Who pays for the recycling/composting services? How do these rates compare to regular garbage disposal (in the area)?

Discussion question: Do you think cities should be able to impose laws and penalties on residents for not recycling? Why or why not? What could cities do to make it easier or more attractive for people to recycle?

Talk 2: James Balog—Time-lapse Proof of Extreme Ice Loss

http://www.ted.com/talks/james_balog_time_lapse_proof_of_extreme_ice_loss.html

1. Why does James Balog feel that art (such as photography and film) is important to science?

2. What percent of the glaciers in the world are retreating or shrinking?

3. Describe some information about where some of the time-lapse cameras are placed (i.e., in what parts of the world, where specifically in relation to glaciers, etc.).

4. Why does James Balog say the “earth is having a fever”. What does he mean? (1 point)

5. As he goes thru some of the time lapse videos, discuss at least 3 of the specific things you see/he (Balog) discusses (be specific to the glacier, what happens, etc.)

6. What does James Balog say he thinks is the biggest problem related to facing the challenge of climate change? Why?

Discussion Question: What are your overall impressions/thoughts after seeing these photographic time lapse videos? Did it convince you that climate change is happening? Do you think retreating glaciers are a big ecological deal or a relatively minor issue?

Talk 3: Stewart Brand + Mark Z. Jacobson: Debate: Does the world need nuclear energy?

Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/debate_does_the_world_need_nuclear_energy?language=en#t-1361309

1. The TED talk begins by taking a poll of the audience regarding their feelings for nuclear energy. What was the general feelings of the audience (was the majority for/against the use of nuclear energy) at the beginning of the talk?

2. Next, Stewart Brand discusses the “pros” of using nuclear energy. List 5 important points that he makes to support his pro-nuclear energy stance.

3. Next, Mark Z. Jacobson discusses the anti-nuclear stance. List 5 important points that he makes to support his stance on the subject.

4. Next, 4 people in the audience get to respond. Summarize what each of the people say (they make excellent points!).

5. How did the feelings of the audience shift after the debate?

Discussion question: After watching this video, what are your thoughts on nuclear energy? Are you for its use as an alternative to coal? Are you against it? What else would you need to know in order to form a solid stance either way?

Final Question: Discuss some final thoughts you have after watching these talks. You might discuss which talk taught you the most, or made you think the most, or that you found the most interesting You might talk about some things you learned that you did not know before. You could also talk about questions you now have after watching these talks. I expect this part to be at least 4-5 sentences and show that you have critically thought about what you just watched.