Reference no: EM133194938 , Length: Word count: 600 words
Assignment Task: Read the following papers and respond to the following questions:
1. Biodiversity crisis is about to put humanity at risk, U.N. scientists to warn By Jonathan Watts on May 3, 2019, Daily Grist
2. Climate Tipping Points Could Hit Harder - and Sooner - Than We Think By Jon Queally (November 28, 2019), Common Dreams; Truthout
3. Thank You for being late By Thomas L. Friedman
Write a few essays, of both topics, 300 words each, not counting the quote (for the second part). For the second part you can choose from few readings mentioned.
(1) On November 4th, 2019, the Trump Administration notified the United Nations that it would withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, starting a year long process to formally leave the international pact. The withdrawal became official on November 4th, 2020, one day after the 2020 presidential election. At that time, the U.S. (the world's largest historic greenhouse gas emitter) became the only country in the world outside the accord. Based on the material in Tom Friedman's chapter entitled "Green is the new red, white and blue," provide a brief analysis of the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Using the same chapter, briefly analyze the decision made by the new Biden Administration on January 21st, 2021 to rejoin the Paris Accord.
(2) Choose a short passage (a maximum of a few sentences) from any reading assigned in the class so far, quote the passage precisely and provide a specific reference (including the page number), and then explain what the passage means and why it is significant to you. What emotions does the passage evoke for you (e.g., anger, joy, fear, anxiety, hope,...)? Briefly, what thoughts does the passage evoke about the degree of change (incremental to transformational) that is necessary to address the environmental crisis facing humanity?