Module VII: Earth's climate, biology, geology and culture

How is Earth's climate connected to its geological, biological and cultural systems?

This is probably the most intense module so far in this class. It has definitely added to my growing awareness of climate and its affects on human life as well as vice versa. There is definitely some controversy surrounding the topic of climate change and whether or not man made contributions are altering the behavior of Earth's climate. Even morning radio personalities have opinions on whether global warming is occurring or not. Just last week I was listening to the radio and the two people on were adamant that global warming wasn't happening because it was colder than usual on the east coast and throughout the mid-west.

Survival on Earth for all living creatures including people depends on the climate being hospitable enough to support it. Regardless whether or not we are affecting it, it is important to understand the patterns and behavior of our climate to be prepared for anything that could be unforeseen or dangerous to our survival.

The past couple days I have been trying to think of ways to get younger people more interested in going into the sciences after high school in order to someday help Alaska. The best way is to make it relevant to the students. However, just telling them that villages are being washed away by the ocean or that many water sources are becoming contaminated aren't enough. I was fortunate enough to work with La'ona Dewilde this past summer. She helped out with a program to help high school students become interested in and attend college after graduating. The students were able to see first hand how water is tested for contaminants and then analyzed to make some conclusions about the results. Although a few of the students were eager to help out and followed the steps I'm not sure how much they retained or understood about the importance of the testing. The majority of the students at the camp were primarily city kids and weren't directly exposed to changing climate on a daily basis like those in more rural communities. There are many young people out in remote villages who do want to help understand their world because they are hearing from their elders that many of todays happenings are unlike what their ancestors experienced before them. However, the reality is that many won't go on to seek higher education. There definitely needs to be more outreach to students in rural places to help guide them towards obtaining the skills they need to return to their homes to research the causes of climate change and to help direct courses of action.

Fortunately, as more people get the education they need to make a difference in Alaska and around the world they become sources of inspiration for current and future students. This is why I teach. I want to see the students I teach go on to get their college degrees and then go back and put their energy into bettering Alaska (and the rest of the world too if there is time).

As Fran says in her blog scientists may find us a new planet to live on and it won't matter what happens to this one, but I would also like to figure out how to better manage our CO2 outputs to become more neutral in our impact on the planet. If we could figure out how to store and reuse it like in the image below life would be much simpler. (at least in knowing that we have less impact on the planet than natural occurances)

Picture courtesy of http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Reduce-CO2-By-Planting-Trees