Global Warming

    Over the past week, I feel that I have learned a lot about global warming and climate change. For one thing, I have learned that global warming has been caused by humans and their everyday activities. Global warming is caused by the emission of carbon, and the climate changes have occurred as a result. I have also learned that other people here at Penn State do not know much about global warming, and those that do have very strong opinions on it. Some believe that global warming has been caused by irresponsible humans and over- consumption , while others still believe that humans have had nothing to do with global warming and climate change, and it is just part of the cycle of the earth. 

  During this week, I have also learned from my correspondence with my friend in Pune, India that global warming is not as evident around the world. She has told me that people are worried, but not many of them know what to do to make it better. Some have even blamed Americans for the climate change and shortage of water.

   Finally, I have learned how global warming and climate change has effected my life, and vice versa. I believe that I have contributed to global warming, and that I will continue to contribute to it, whether I know it or not. I think that it will be very difficult for me to change in a way that will help the environment, because I still need to drive places and such. I believe that global warming has also affected my life. I have noticed the rise in temperature and feel that sometimes, the erratic climate prevents me from doing things I like to do, like being outside and at the beach. I also believe that it has made me more conscience of the choices I make in my day- to -day life regarding electricity, water, and paper usage.

Editing

I hate editing. It was very difficult to try to put all of the random pieces of film with the  facts we wanted to portray. It was also very difficult for my teammates to try to pair a voiceover with the pictures. The software was very hard to use for us novices. I do not want to ever edit a video again. I found it all very frustrating.

Our Documentary

         Today, we started filming for our documentary. Yesterday, we decided to split into three different groups, and have each group focus on one specific part what we wanted to portray. We planned out a storyboard and starting making questions to ask the interviewee. 

The first group decided to interview people about their perceptions of global warming and how they have effected it, and vice versa. 

The second group, of which I am a part, decided to focus on the informative part of the documentary. We decided to gather up important pictures that show how global warming has effected the earth, and give important facts to support these pictures. We also filmed a short segment of how people waste valuable resources such as electricity, water, paper, and gasoline.

The final group decided to focus on the solutions to global warming. They went out into campus and interviewed people, asking how they are trying to help the environment. 

I am happy with how our filming and facts came out because I believe that it will be very informative and it will truly show our viewers how ridiculous the wasting of these precious materials is. 

Carbon Footprint Calculator

         Today, Sameer told us to go onto carbonfootprint.com and calculate our carbon footprints. It was estimated that I emit 26.77 tons of carbon annually. This does not surprise me because I have an old car with a lot of miles on it, and I drive it everywhere. The website calculated that on average, Americans emit approximately 20.40 tons of carbon annually. I am not surprised because my country is filled with consumers who refuse to recognize the consequences of their actions. The American people, although they have a new leader, are not quick to change their ways concerning the environment. 

My Ideas on Global Warming

        Today was my first day, and I definitely learned a lot. To start off, we met our instruct, Sameer Honwad. Then, we played a little game to learn each other's names. We were videotaped talking about our ideas on global warming and climate change. Unfortunately, I am not very good projecting my thoughts verbally, but I am a strong writer. 

       Next, we had a guest speaker come in, and she talked about what global warming really is and how climate change happens. I learned that virtually all changes occurring in the atmosphere are due to the trapping/ release of solar energy, temperature change, and/or the excess of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The presentation really opened my eyes to the fact that global warming doesn't only affect me, but everyone around the world. I also visually saw the changes that occurred to the earth's surface when glaciers melted. The speaker predicted that when the Arctic and Greenland's ice surfaces melted, the sea level would rise 40 feet around the world. This means that almost a third of Florida would be under water. The speaker also opened my eyes to the social implications of the melting of the glaciers at the mouth of the Ganges River. She predicted that 40% of the world's water comes from the Ganges River, and when the entire feeding glacier is melted, there will not be an easy means of supplying water to most of southeast Asia. 

       I feel very strongly about the negative impact that the human race has had on the planet that has been so generous to us, and I try to do my best to reverse the demolition of the atmosphere. But, I want to hear what you have to say... I especially want to know if there have been any drastic changes to your city/ environment, and if you have any response to those changes (how have you adapted?). 

          - Connor

About Me

     My name is Connor Walker, and I am 16 years old. I live in Collegeville, PA, which is about an hour and a half drive from Philadelphia, PA.  I am part of a large extended family, located all over the United States. I have three sisters, Courtney, Chelsea, and Cameron, aged 25, 17, and 10, respectively. In school, my favorite subject is math. I enjoy math because it is clearly defined, and I am not very abstract. I am very interested in the environment, especially the effects that its changes have on the human race, and vice versa. I enjoy spending my free time with my friends, just hanging out, as well as playing tennis. I am also very into music, and enjoy spending my time sitting outside and listening to all different types of music on my iPod. 

          - Connor