ENV 322 ENTIRE COURSE

ENV 322 ENTIRE COURSE
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Gaia Hypothesis. In Chapter 3, the Gaia hypothesis is introduced.
It addresses two hypotheses; (1) life, since its inception, has greatly
affected the planetary environment and (2) life has altered Earth’s
environment in ways that have allowed life to persist. Do you
agree with these two hypotheses? Why or why not?
Energy and Food Supplies. The underlying theme of this course
is energy. As a whole, the global society needs to find ways to
reduce our energy consumption. The food pyramid is a prime
example of energy transfer within individual ecosystems and the
biosphere. As you increase the trophic levels, a greater amount of
energy is lost. Some environmentalists argue that humans should
eat a vegetarian diet in order to conserve energy.
What are some of the pros and cons of this action? Consider the
impact to the agricultural industry? How low on the food chain do
you eat? Would you consider eating lower?

Model Ecosystems. Review the virtual lab in Model Ecosystems.
Within this laboratory exercise you will categorize various
organisms into the correct trophic level for five different
ecosystems. Once completed, you will calculate the amount of
energy transferred between levels. Record your observations.
Answer the journal questions and upload it as a Word document
into the online course.
Energy Policy. The U.S. Energy Policy is currently being
reviewed and six main recommendations are listed, by Botkin and
Keller (2011, p. 298). Discuss whether or not each
recommendation will lead us to a sustainable society. Defend your
position by discussing the benefits and drawbacks. Provide
substantive evidence from outside sources if necessary.
Fossil Fuel Reserves. Fossil fuels reserves are rapidly depleting in
the United States. The oil industry is lobbying the United States
government to grant permission to allow drilling in several
untapped areas. Select one of the areas below and discuss whether
you believe that government should be allowed to drill for oil.
Include the environmental and economic viewpoints. Support your
position with scholarly resources.
a. Wildlife refuges/National parks (example ANWR)
b. Offshore drilling
Final Research Paper Outline. Review the Final Research Paper
instructions in Week Five of the online course or in the
Components of Course Evaluation section of the course guide.
Submit an outline of the Final Research Paper.
Nuclear Energy. Based on your readings, do you believe that the
Unites States should increase the use of nuclear energy, a

non-renewable resource, as a replacement for fossil fuels? Defend
your answer by discussing the pros and cons of nuclear energy.
When answering, be sure to address the following (a) mining of
uranium, (b) safety, (c) environmental impacts, and (d) waste
disposal
Nuclear Waste Disposal. One of the most controversial issues
when discussing the possibility of nuclear power as an energy
source is the disposal of the spent fuel rods. Yucca Mountain, the
main proposed repository, has been studied for consideration for
over ten years. What geological features of Yucca Mountain made
it a potential waste site? What were the drawbacks of this location?
Since President Obama took office, he has halted funding for the
development of Yucca Mountain. What impact will this have on
utilizing nuclear waste since an alternate waste site has not been
selected? Is it a good idea to have all of the nation’s waste in one
location or should it be spread out over several locations?
Non-renewable Energy Sources. Energy generation is an ongoing
topic in the United States and worldwide. Historically, the nation’s
main energy source is fossil fuels. However, nuclear power has
also contributed throughout history. These energy sources are
considered non-renewable resources because their inputs are
limited in both quantity and availability. Select either fossil fuel
energy or nuclear power as the main topic for this paper. Discuss
the impact that the selected source has had on the environment.
Additionally, select one environmental disaster that has occurred
because of your selected fuel source and describe the disaster in
detail. (a) What, specifically, occurred? (b)What were the
ecological and human health effects? (c) How was the disaster
handled? (d) And, what did we learn from it? If applicable, discuss
what environmental policies were established because of the
selected disaster.
Alternative Energy Sources and Your Local Ecosystem. During

this week’s readings, you have learned about numerous types of
alternative energy sources. Each energy source has its advantages
and disadvantages. Geography often determines which of these
sources will be the most useful in a given area. Consider your local
ecosystem. Which alternative energy source would be the most
compatible with your area? Provide a comprehensive explanation
as to why it would be the most successful. Also, discuss why two
other sources would not be beneficial in your area.
Unorthodox Energy Sources. Throughout the text, mainstream
energy sources are discussed. One of the factors that set humans
apart from any other species is the ability to think critically and
develop new and innovative ideas to solve environmental problems.
After reading the article by Meg Carter, discuss some of the
practical applications of non-mainstream (i.e., human power)
energy sources. Do you believe that these are viable energy options
in large scale operations? Small scale operations? Discuss one
other non-mainstream option that may have practicality in energy
production? (Hint
Hint: If you are unable to find any via the Internet,
look at the recommended readings).
How Big is Your Footprint. You will be the energy manager for a
large business. You will determine the mix of solar, wind, coal, and
gas that will not only provide ample energy, but keep your
footprint low. You will also attempt to find the proper mix of
energy at a low cost. Visit How Big Is Your Footprint? Discovery
Education Player and follow the instructions below:
1. Read instructions and then enter your name when prompted.
2. Select Level 1.
3. Read the directions (You do not need to plan your investigation
or get approval ahead of time.) and then begin attempting to find
the right mix. Your results will be recorded in the results table.
Perform the test at least ten times using different combinations.

4. Copy and paste this table.
5. Close the window and follow Steps 1 and 2 again.
6. Select Level 2.
7. Read the directions (You do not need to plan your investigation
or get approval ahead of time.) and attempt to find the right mix of
energy, light bulbs, and costs. Perform this exercise at least ten
times using different combinations.
8. Copy and paste this table.
9. Answer the following questions based on your results of the two
levels and upload it as a Word document into your online course.
LEVEL 1
a. Which combination of energy sources provided the smallest
carbon footprint? Does this support what you have learned
throughout this course?
b. Which combination provided a small footprint and a small cost?
Defend your answer.
LEVEL 2
a. Which combination of energy sources coupled with the amount
of light bulbs, provided the smallest cost per month? Does this
support what you have learned throughout this course? Defend
your answer.
Energy Consumption. Reducing our energy consumption is vital
in our quest to preserve the environment. The conversion from
fossil fuels to renewable energy sources will not happen overnight.
In the meantime, individuals and businesses can decrease their
dependence on fossil fuels by following several simple ideas. After

eading The Energy Savers Booklet, what areas of energy
conservation do you already employ? In what areas do you need to
improve? Explain your answers, in detail.
Voluntary vs. Regulatory Involvement. Affluence leads to
overconsumption and increased waste. Governments, industries,
and individuals have contributed to the lack of environmental
sustainability. Actions must be taken immediately to alter our
wasteful ways. The government has developed programs to help
reduce energy consumption. However, the majority of these
programs are voluntary, such as the Energy Star Program. Should
the government continue to develop voluntary programs or do
more drastic actions employing regulations that enforce
compliance of governments, industries, and individuals be
instituted? Defend your answer.
Focus of the Final Paper
Energy is defined as the ability to do work. Over the duration of
this course, you will come to differentiate between nonrenewable
and renewable energy sources.
For the Final Research Paper, you will need to:
1. Select an energy source from the list below.
a. Fossil fuels
b. Nuclear power
c. Solar power
d. Wind power
e. Hydroelectric power
f. Geothermal power

g. Biofuels/Biomass energy
h. Hydrogen power
2. Discuss the components associated with your energy source.
3. Compare and contrast the benefits and drawbacks in relationship
to the environment and the economic market.
4. Discuss the long-term availability and successfulness of this
option.
Analyze the impact that it has had or may have on the
environment.