Date: Tuesday, October 3, and Thursday,
October 5, 2006
Times: See time slots for videoconferences below
Grades: 8- 12
Topics: Current Events, Social Studies, World Issues
Cost (2 videoconferences): non members - $240 | members
- $180
In
his State of the Union address in January 2006, President Bush acknowledged
an important truth: “We have a serious problem”, he said, “America
is addicted to oil.”
This addiction is shared with the rest of the planet.
Consider these facts:
- Developing nations such as India and China are projecting a 60%
growth in energy usage by 2025, most of it produced with fossil fuels!
- Most scientists agree that the combustion of fossil fuels is the primary
reason that greenhouse gas levels are increasing, causing global
warming.
- Due to global warming, the average global surface temperature could
rise 1-4.5°F in the next fifty years.
- The predicted raise in temperature will increase intense rainstorms and
raise the sea level up to two feet along most of the U.S.
coast.
How
do we find a balance between our insatiable appetite for energy while preserving
the environment?
In this two-part videoconferencing series, students took a hard look at their
daily energy consumption, learned the facts about global warming and discussed
alternative energy options for the future. Watch
a video about alternative fuels used in Brazil.
 |
Tuesday, October 3: Up to
4 classes at a time compared (through videoconferencing) ways they consume
energy on a daily basis, and offered suggestions to cut down. They also
expressed their thoughts on the role the US should play in the Future
of Energy. This informal round table conversation was moderated by David
Macquart, co-founder of the Global Nomads Group.
Available time slots: 9-10 am | 11-12 am | 1-2 pm | 3-4 pm (EST)
|
 |
Thursday, October 5: Up to 5 classes at a time interacted
with Yerina
Mugica, an Energy expert at the Natural
Resources Defense Council (NRDC), one of the leading environmental groups
in the US. Yerina opened the conference with a brief expose on the potential
of various renewable energy sources, and then answered students’ questions
directly.
Time slots: 11-12 am
|
Preparation materials for the program:
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