Carbon Dioxide: Friend or Foe?

A WebQuest for AP Environmental Science

Designed by
Debbie Massengill  

Introduction | Task | Process | Resources

Introduction 

It is the year 2030 in the town of Carbonville. Widespread droughts have plagued the farmers this year with the majority of their crops dying off.  Also the town has had to insist on mandatory water conservation methods in order to save their slowly diminishing water supply. To compound to the problem, it has been discovered that local dry cleaners and production plants have been discharging their solvents into the nearby creeks. Scientists have attributed the drought and severe weather conditions to global climate change due to excessive carbon dioxide levels. The town leaders have decided that they need to hire a consulting firm to address their problem of too much carbon dioxide and too little water. Otherwise they are going to have to import a lot of food and water in order to support their town's needs. Several firms are vying for this billion dollar contract and a decision will be made at next week's town council meeting.

The Task 

Your firm wants to come up with the best idea for the town. This idea should help the environment, lower carbon dioxide levels, promote growth of crops, and increase water supply. As impossible as the task sounds, your employer wants your group to include as many ideas as possible. Therefore split up different areas of research and then meet to brainstorm what your group wishes to propose.

• You will present your findings at the next town council meeting. You may use power point, posters, brochures, etc. Whatever you think you need to sell your idea.

The Process

1. First you'll be assigned to a group of 4 students.
2. Once you've picked a role to play, start researching that component.
3. As a group, pick what aspects of the project you will include in your final presentation.
4. Prepare your brochures, posters, or PowerPoints.

Resources

Below are some links that might help you:

General Carbon dioxide information:

http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/home.html

http://www.co2science.org/               

http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/CO2/CO2.html

Carbon dioxide and agriculture:

http://www.usda.gov/oce/gcpo/greenhou2.htm                

http://www.nbi.ac.za/consfarm/intro/cfcseq.htm

http://www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/aric/eae/Global_Warming/Older/Agriculture.html

Cloud seeding:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/oct98/crys1098.htm

http://www.water.utah.gov/planning/CLDSEED/Default.htm

http://www.xmission.com/~nawc/wmfaq.html

Carbon Sinks:

http://www.wri.org/climate/sinks.html                 

http://www.globalissues.org/EnvIssues/GlobalWarming/Forests.asp

Carbon dioxide and technology:

http://www.nsfstc.unc.edu/about.htm

Carbon Sequestration:

http://www.fe.doe.gov/coal_power/sequestration/index.shtml 

Plant growth:

http://globalwarming.enviroweb.org/isproblem/foodnwater/foodnwater_plants_1.html

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/Conundrum/

http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/20020501rainco2.html

Ecosystems

http://www.heinzctr.org/ecosystems/index.htm