analysis on the effects of population growth
Assignment 1: Analysis on the Effects of Population Growth
Imagine you have been hired as a consultant for the United Nations. You have been asked to write an analysis on how global population growth has caused the following problem and how it affects a developing country of your choosing:
A growing global population that consumes natural resources is partially to blame for the release of greenhouse gases since human consumption patterns lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and farming (overturned dirt releases CO2). However, the critical issue is the burning of fossil fuels (hydrocarbons) such as coal oil and natural gas to produce energy that is used for things like electricity production, and vehicle, heating, and cooking fuels.
The UN has asked that you choose a developing country from this list: https://www.mrs.org/developing-countries-list.
The UN has also given you the following guidelines.
Content
The UN has asked that your paper contain three sections. It has asked that each section be one page (or approximately 300 words) in length and answer specific questions, identified in the outline below. It also asks that you use examples from your developing country when answering the questions.
Introduction
Provide an introduction of half a page minimum that addresses points a-e below.
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- Explains the problem the UN has asked you to address in your own words;
- Identifies the three sections your paper will cover;
- Identifies the developing country you will consider;
- Tells the UN which causes of greenhouse gases you will explore; and
- Provides a one-sentence statement of your solutions at the end of your introduction paragraph.
Section I. Background
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- What are greenhouse gases?
- How do greenhouse gases contribute to global warming?
Section II. How Emissions Causes Problems for the Developing World
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- Which countries produce the most greenhouse gases?
- What are the economic challenges of these emissions (include examples from your chosen country)?
- What are the security challenges of these emissions (include examples from your chosen country)?
- What are the political challenges of these emissions (include examples from your chosen country)?
Section III. Causes and Solutions of Greenhouse Gases
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- What are two causes of greenhouse gases?
- What are potential solutions to address each of the causes you identified?
- What is the relationship between population control and greenhouse gases?
Conclusion
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- Provide a conclusion of half a page minimum that includes a summary of your findings that the United Nations can use to inform future policy decisions.
Success Tips
- In answering each question, use examples from your developing country to illustrate your points.
- The UN needs facts and objective analysis on which to base future policy decisions; avoid personal opinion and make sure your answers are based on information you find through research.
Formatting Requirements
- Make sure your paper consists of four to six pages (re: 1,200 words minimum, not including the cover page, reference page, and quoted material [if any]).
- Create headings for each section of your paper as follows:
- Section I. Background
- Section II. How Emissions Causes Problems for the Developing World
- Section III. Causes and Solutions for Greenhouse Gases
- Use and cite at least five credible sources in your research. A list of potential resources is available below.
- Make sure your paper contains both in-text citations and a source list, per SWS guidelines: Refer to the Strayer Writing Standards (SWS) document for reference.
- Include a cover page with your name, the country you selected, the date you submitted the paper, and your instructor’s name.
Potential Sources
- George Gitlitz. June 19, 2018. Opinion: The Pernicious Climate Dictum-Don’t Mention Population. https://www.berkeleyside.com/2018/06/19/opinion-the-pernicious-climate-dictum-dont-mention-population
- Gemma Tarlach. July 19, 2018. Mass Extinctions. http://discovermagazine.com/2018/jul-aug/mass-extinctions
- Larry LeDoux. 2018. Does Population Growth Impact Climate Change? https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/population-growth-climate-change/
- Bill McKibben. November 22, 2018. A Very Grim Forecast. https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2018/11/22/global-warming-very-grim-forecast/
Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic/organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric:
Points: 110 |
Assignment 1: Analysis on the Impact of Population Growth |
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Criteria |
Exemplary 90-100% A |
Proficient 80-89% B |
Fair 70-79% C |
Meets Minimum Expectations |
Unacceptable Below 60% F |
Defined greenhouse gases and their connection to global warming. Weight: 20% |
Exceeded expectations in explaining the connection between greenhouse gases and global warming. |
Proficiently explained the connection between greenhouse gases and global warming. |
Defined greenhouse gases and global warming but did not fully explain the connection between the two. |
Defined greenhouse gases and global warming but did not sufficiently explain the connection between the two. |
Did not define or connect greenhouse gases and global warming. |
Explained economic, security, political, and other challenges that emissions pose to the people of the developing world. Listed the major offenders. Weight: 20% |
Exceeded expectations in explaining economic, security, political, and other challenges that emissions pose to the people of the developing world. |
Proficiently explained economic, security, political, and other challenges that emissions pose to the people of the developing world. |
Explained the economic, security, political, and other challenges that emissions pose to the people of the developing world. |
Did not sufficiently explain economic, security, political, and other challenges that emissions pose to the people of the developing world. |
Did not explain economic, security, political, and other challenges that emissions pose to the people of the developing world. |
Explored options to control the growth of the population on a global level. Weight: 20% |
Exceeded expectations in explaining options to control population growth on a global level. |
Proficiently explained options to control population growth on a global level. |
Explained options to control population growth on a global level. |
Did not sufficiently explain options to control population growth on a global level. |
Did not explain options to control population growth on a global level. |
Included an opening paragraph and a conclusion for this section of the paper. Weight: 20% |
Included a well-thought-out opening statement and conclusion. |
Included a sufficient opening and conclusion. |
Did not sufficiently include either an opening statement or a conclusion. |
Missed writing either an opening statement or a conclusion. |
Both the opening paragraph and conclusion are missing. |
Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting. Weight: 15% |
0-2 errors present. |
3-4 errors present. |
5-6 errors present. |
7-8 errors present. |
More than 8 errors present. |
Met the minimum requirement of five credible sources/citations. Weight: 5% |
Met the minimum credible source and proper citation requirement. |
Used 4 credible sources, with few citation errors. |
Used at least 3 credible sources and properly cited sources. |
Used at least 2 sources but did not properly cite sources. |
Used 1 or fewer sources. |