On Tuesday March 27th, 2012 at 2:30pm the ARTS&SC 3CK3 Inquiry to Climate Change class will be presenting ideas of climate change in the Lyons New Media Centre located on the fourth floor of Mills Memorial Library. This discussion will cover a variety of topics and explore questions such as ‘Why are we not just using hydrogen to solve our problems?’ to ‘What the heck is PETM?’All presentations will incorporate using the large video wall and will be exploring the issues using non-traditional methods of dissemination such as e-coffee table-books to unique movie trailers.
There will be 7 presentations in total and the conference will end by 4:30pm. The Lyons New Media Centre will be open as normal during the course of the discussion which will take place using the video wall. Anyone is welcome to attend the event.
2:25 – 2:30 Opening Remarks
EARLY AFTERNOON SESSION (2:30pm – 3:30pm)
2:30 – 2:42
Title: Oh Sheet! — The Implications of Melting Ice Sheets
Authors: Ahmed, Z., Antounians, L., Chan, J.
Abstract: Surface melting of ice sheets has increased at an unprecedented rate, which has lead to the net loss of volume in the Greenland Ice Sheet and Antarctic Ice Sheet. Particularly, the 2002 Larsen B disintegration sparked the urgent investigation of collapsing ice shelves. Through the mechanism behind these recent changes remains unclear, warmer water and decreased sea-ice are important triggers of glacier behaviour. The melting ice sheets can pose various local and global consequences, including rising sea levels and increased natural disaster, changing ocean temperatures and circulation patterns. This threatens many socio-economical and ecological systems. Without the protective cooling later of ice sheets, global warming can potentially accelerate. Most Canadians have insufficient knowledge about the impact of melting ice sheets. Yet, the changing global ice environment can affect Canada’s Inuit traditions, commercial fishing, and marine transportation. Our government should generate awareness on this issue by partnering with the education system and media sources.
Keywords: Melting Ice Sheets, Rising Sea Level, Global Warming, Public Awareness
2:43 – 2:55
Title: Snow Globe — Extended Trailer
Authors: Harder, A., Mills, S., Théberge, J.
Abstract: This project explores the nature of super storms and extreme weather, and their effects on human populations. The IPCC defines extreme weather as “the occurrence of a value of a weather or climate variable above (or below) a threshold value near the upper (or lower) ends of the range of observed values of the variable” (IPCC, 2012). Scientific and political communities are concerned that extreme weather may increase in frequency due to global warming. This concern is particularly salient due to the potential effects of economic loss and human devastation. While extreme weather can impact humans severely, this impact may be exaggerated in the media and entertainment industries. For example, the film The Day After Tomorrow presents an apocalyptic and perhaps unrealistic view of a global super storm. This project will further address the issue of disparity between media coverage of extreme weather events, and the events themselves.
Keywords: Super Storms, Extreme Weather, Human Impacts, The Day After Tomorrow, Frequency
2:56 – 3:08
Title: The influence of climate change on permafrost in the northern hemisphere
Authors: Poot, N., Ahmed, S., Agnihotri, M., Athale, A.
Abstract: Alongside natural changes in the Earth’s climatic system, it has been established that anthropogenic causes are increasing the rate of climate change. Human-induced activities result in the increased emission of greenhouse gases, contributing to current global warming trends. In the Northern Hemisphere, it has been observed that permafrost has been degrading at a rapid rate. Permafrost, a ground layer that remains at or below 0 °C for two or more years, is most prevalent at high latitudes and altitudes. Permafrost underlies approximately 25.5 million hectares of landmass in the Northern Hemisphere and is the basis of ecological systems and human development in subarctic regions. This paper will discuss the environmental and socio-economic effects of the current anthropogenic-induced global warming impacts on permafrost. We will present our findings on the consequences of thawing permafrost in Northern regions and will subsequently introduce evidenced-based recommendations, which will strive to mitigate the effects of diminishing permafrost.
Keywords: Permafrost, Greenhouse Gases, Northern Hemisphere, Impacts Recommendations
3:09 – 3:21
Title: PETM: Then & Now
Authors: Meadley, K., Genovese, C., Springate-Combs, M.
Abstract: The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) occurred over 1000 years ago, and was caused by a large increase in atmospheric carbon concentration.
Humans have the potential to cause another PETM by pumping carbon into the atmosphere. Scientists are studying the PETM in the hopes to understand the long term effects of current climate change, which could be as drastic to life on earth. The past PETM, and how it relates to current environmental issues and climate change predictions is depicted in a coffee table book, “PETM: Then & Now”. This book primarily targets homeowners and a mature demographic. The book is divided into three sections: past, present, and future. It includes colourful, meaningful pictures as well as explanatory text. The book will be presented as an e-book at the Climate Change Conference.
Keywords: PETM, climate change art, books
LATE AFTERNOON SESSION (3:30pm – 4:30pm)
3:30 – 3:42
Title: Alberta’s Oil Sands: The Fight for Public Opinion
Authors: Ciglen, N.H., Hayes, R.L.C., Kitai, S.A.
Abstract: There are two highly polarized views on the subject of production in the Alberta oil sands. Their existence may be partly attributed to the divisive nature of the issues that surround this topic, but is also owed to an ongoing battle for public opinion by various interest groups. One side emphasizes the importance of North American energy security, while the other contends that production in the oil sands will exacerbate global warming to unsustainable levels. This debate came to a head during the approval process for the Keystone XL pipeline, with environmental activists framing their push to block the pipeline as a crucial battle in the war on climate change. Using the medium of a movie trailer, this presentation illustrates tactics such as fear-mongering and the use of sensational imagery to which such public debates may easily give way. In doing so, it investigates the role of audio-visual media in creating an argument that manipulates facts.
Keywords: Alberta oil sands, keystone xl, public interest, media manipulation
3:43 – 3:55
Title: Green Washing
Authors: Lau, K., Ollier, S., Richter, E., Tam, J.
Abstract: Since climate change has established a strong media following, ‘going green’ has become part of our culture. Students are quick to ascribe to eco-friendly practices even though these efforts may not be as ‘green’ as they appear. This movement has stemmed in part from greenwashing which is the use of green marketing to mislead consumers into believing a product is more environmentally friendly than it actually is. This paper will deconstruct popular habits that are commonly perceived as environmentally conscious such as camping, eco-driven consumer habits and certain vegetarian food choices. For example, trailblazing, wasteful purchases and greenhouse-grown produce are all either damaging to ecosystems or contribute to carbon emissions. In order to effectively mitigate climate change, individuals must be critical of the trends they follow, or else they may inadvertently contribute to the problem they are trying to solve.
Keywords: greenwashing, green trend, climate change, vegetarianism, consumerism, camping
3:56 – 4:08
Title: Pure Hyrdogen? Pure Gold.
Authors: Carens-Nedelsky, D., Colcert, S., Cruikshank, H.
Abstract: Global climate change is predicted to be disastrous, and considering that this phenomenon is caused primarily by carbon emissions from energy production and transportation industries, it is in our best interest to eliminate the sources of these emissions. One way to do this without requiring people to change their lifestyles is by replacing fossil fuels with a cleaner burning alternative: hydrogen.
Hydrogen, though difficult to extract, is an abundant, safe, and clean method of energy storage. When burned, its by-products are heat (used for energy) and reusable water. Hydrogen can be purified using other renewable and zero-emission energy production methods, and then stored in fuel cells to produce electricity and power motor-vehicles. Households with hydrogen fuel-cells can sell their excess energy back to the grid, and these portable and safe fuel-cells are ideal for bringing energy to developing nations and remote communities. Thus we should seriously consider a hydrogen-based economy.
Keywords: hydrogen fuel, hydrogen economy, renewable energy, climate change
4:09 – 4:20
Closing Remarks and voting/awarding for best presentation
