Environmental Sciences Obama Turns to Web to Illustrate the Effects of a Changing Climate

This article discusses how the use of technology and the internet can aid in the overall global warming education process. The article explains how President Obama is using a mobile app to depict the effects of global warming in local communities. Through technology, Obama hopes to create awareness of the overall global warming issue, and its impact on communities. The article states that out that individuals given a list of 20 issues, rank global warming as 19th. Through the use of the app, the Obama administration hopes to create an overall sense of urgency within the general public.

A particularly interesting aspect of the article was the amount of detailed coordination needed to produce the app. The mobile app is unique in that it attempts to depict the impact global warming has on communities' overtime. As such, geographically aspects will need constant surveillance and monitoring to accurately depict damage caused by global warming. To complete this task effectively requires technological expertise and coordination. The article mentions that private companies such as Google, local governments, and even federal agencies all work together to create the technology used within the app (Lomborg, 2007).

What the article lacked were the costs associated with the overall program. I believe the aspect of cost is particularly important given the contentious budget issues currently plaguing congress. Voters in particular want to see restraint and prudence used in regards to allocating taxpayer dollars. The article alluded to the fact, that society currently doesn't place a high priority on global warming issues. As such, would they want the Obama administration allocating much needed resources to an issue many Americans do not care particularly care for? This is particularly true as America grapples with mounting debt, and a stagnate economy.

Forget Shorter Showers

This article discusses many of the more common myths associated with...

The article has a particular emphasis on capitalism and its economic impact on preservation. A particular interesting aspect of the articles relates to the authors perspective of consumerism. The author argues that many of the solutions presented for the preservation of natural resources related to consuming less. For example, it is popular belief that shorter showers help preserve much needed water, which is running out. However, as the articles illustrates, taking shorter showers does not equate to the preservation of water, as consumers do not use a disproportionate amount of the resource to begin with. Instead, which I found very interesting, is the corporations and governments use a disproportionate amount of the resources needed by society.
What the article lacked was an unbiased argument. The author goes to great lengths to explain how a consumption economy harms the preservation of natural resources. However, the author does not mention many of the good aspects associated with consumption. Aspects such as efficient machinery, cars with less carbon emissions, and the use of technology to help educate individuals about environmental issues. Although the benefits are difficult to quantify, capitalism has in fact benefited the environment in a litany of ways. As such, I believe a discussion on the merits of a consumer economy on the preservation of natural resources is warranted.

Climate Change Knowledge and Social Movement Theory

This article discusses how the overall notion of social movements contributes to the ability of society to gain knowledge. The climate change movement is no different in this regard. Since 1970 proponents of global warming have been attempting to educate society through the…