Bulletin Board

The questions for the Symposium panel will come from YOU!! We will select several questions from those posted here.

To post a message email climate.change@oberlin.edu

Message posted 1/18/01:

There is excellent research by folks such as Margaret Davis on the shifts in species' distribution, and the potential demand for 'johnny appleseed' type efforts to aid species' migration, as the natural routes are no longer available, due to habitat destruction. For example, red maples are likely to become rare in Ohio, and common in Canada, where they are currently rare now. I think seasonal associated depression is primarily a function of decreased photoperiod, not temperature, so that should not change. However, if a consequence of global warming is greater cloud cover, then there might be depression associated with lack of sunlight in winter, in addition to the decreased photoperiod. Another important area to cover might be the response of businesses, e.g. the insurance industry. They now accept that global warming is happening, and that one consequence is the increased number and intensity and distribution of major storms, which of course increases property damage and insurance claims. It is such lobby groups that have economic clout who are getting the attention of the government.

Message posted 2/1/01 by Margot Bevington:

How much attention is being paid to reforestation and positive feedback albedo control?

Message posted 2/1/01 by Paula Richman:

Since my main interest is India, I would like to know how the issues you discuss will affect South Asia, and Asia in general.

Message posted 2/3/01 by Adriane:

I'd be interested in topics about mass transit or alternative forms of transportation and low-input sustainable agriculture. Also about how different legislation in developing and developed countries affect the climate.

Message posted 2/8/01 by Emily Inglis:

How are we at Oberlin causing climate change and more importantly, how can we work as individuals and as an institution to lessen our impact on climate change? What steps are being taken by the administration to ease the weight of our ecological footprint?

Message posted 2/8/01 by Aaftab Jain:

The Physics building needs insulation. The 2020 initiative will save money and good will if it does that NOW while renovation is in process. That is thinking long term i.e. 2020!!

Message posted 2/8/01:

How will global climate changes effect everyday beauty practices. example: will I get the frizzies?

Message posted 2/8/01 by David Lewis:

Specifically what changes are expected to happen in the different ecosystems in around the world? What are the effects of a rapidly receading and melting glaciers? Are there problem areas in the world where climate change will affect homeless and low income neighborhoods

Message posted 2/13/01 by David Egloff:

I hope someone on the panel will address the global cooling scenarios that appear to be plausible outcomes of the interruption of circulation patterns and changes in heat transfer processes.

Message posted 2/13/01:

Should the U.S., as a primary producer of greenhouse gases, be held accountable for the detrimental effects that climate change may have on the rest of the world? If so, how?

Messages posted 2/15/01 by the Sierra Student Coalition:

1. Given the recent election debacle, do we really mind Florida going underwater [due to rising sea levels]? Is anyone really going to miss Florida?

2. What is the single biggest thing we can do about this? What political action can be taken?

3. What are some potential economic ramifications of climate change? For example, how is food supply going to be affected?

4. How can we tell the difference between a man-made climate change and a natural one?

5. How can people disagree that climate change is happening, given the large body of evidence? With multiple conflicting models floating around, how can we sort out these discrepancies?

6. How will trade agreements like the potential Free Trade Agreement of the Americas and other globalizing measures affect climate change initiatives or treaties?

Message posted 2/18/01 by Ben Newhouse:

Which groups/people are working on getting politicians to accpet global warming as a fact and do something about it? What are their methods, and have they been affective?

Message posted 2/21/01 by Floyd Ramp:

1. Excessive consumption leads to excessive production of greenhouse gases hence global warming. Excessive consumption is promoted by excessive advertising. Excessive advertising is designed to disturb domestic tranquility at least until the item has been purchased. The Constitution of the United States was adopted to, among other things, "promote the domestic tranquility." Therefore, excessive advertising is "unconstitutional." But, free speech is constitutional. Can this dilemma, and the adverse effects of excessive consumption be addressed by limiting the percentage of business expense that can be deducted for tax purposes?

2. The best of economic conditions appear to be equated to the maximum rate of consumption of non-renewal resources. Non-renewal resources, by definition, will disappear. Hence, economic collapse unless an alternative is developed. In contrast, human labor is perishable, but desirable to give people jobs. Should this situation be corrected by increasing the tax on non-renewal energy and reducing the tax on human activity?

Message posted 2/22/01 by Penny Maroldo:

I used to live in coastal NJ and read often that within the next 5 to 10 years, global warming would cause the polar ice caps to melt enough to raise the water level around NYC about 2 feet. This would be enough to put Manhattan under water and change the entire structure of the eastern seaboard. Is any of this true to any extent?

Message posted 2/23/01 by Anala Miller:

I'm curious about what is being done on campus as far as plans for any new buildings, if there are any, whether we can expect them to be ecologically sound, and/or zero-output-type buildings. I was very disappointed that the new science building apparently hasn't used any innovative methods to cut emissions or energy use, as far as I know--is that true? Why wasn't more thought put into that building, I wonder?

Message posted 2/23/01 by Sue Elkevizth:

1) Technology growth has created an ever-increasing need for electricity. When I was in college about 25 years ago, there was no safe, clean, renewable source. As far as I know, we still haven't found one. Are we close to having fusion for nuclear power, or is some other solution close to becoming a reality?

2) I believe in E-check to curb the effects of smog, but read somewhere that catalytic converters actually exacerbate the problem of global warming. Is this true, & how does that affect the effectiveness of our efforts to correct the problem caused by the many cars we in the US drive?

3) We're all in this together. In the 1970s, the government encouraged conservation of resources and the American public participated in the effort. Since Reaganomics, of course the opposite is true. I believe that climate changes have caught the public's attention and that this is a critical opportunity to change the perception of "environmentalist = alarmist, anti-progress". Are there strategies in place to re-awaken the sleeping American public, who in their personal lives use so much of the world's resources and as a group are responsible for supporting politicians and businesses that affect the global environment? It obviously must be done with care because for 20 years the "I deserve that" mentality has been allowed to flourish, so those who see the need for a different way must present an equally compelling & appealing alternative to those who don't. Is there a paradigm for a healthy economy in which we stress the long-term view, which takes into consideration the benefits of stewardship instead of consumerism? Does there seem to be an effort to bring together the different groups that ultimately are interested in the health of the world (all the different environmental groups, farmers, the health groups like asthma sufferers, etc)?