1. “Anthropogenic greenhouse gases are causing global temperature rises and climate
changes.” While this argument is close to a consensus, there remain arguments against it.
Present these arguments and support them with evidence.
2. Some countries, such as China and UK, consider nuclear energy as a new energy source.
New nuclear power plants built nowadays will be of Generations III, III+ and IV. In
addition, nuclear fusion is also on the track with high temperature plasma achieved in
China and Germany, and there are plans to send fusion electricity to the grid by 2030.
On the other hand, the Fukushima accident has raised an issue on nuclear power and aroused oppositions against nuclear power. Some countries banned the use, have decommissioned and are decommissioning their nuclear power plants. Against nuclear power or for it? Note that this is a controversial topic. You need to take side first whether you are for or against it and put yourself in others’ shoes, understand the point of view and rationales of your opponent. With such an understanding, defeat their position with your rationales, and defend and debate for your position.
3. There are arguments that bioenergy is competing with food production. Agree or against?
Note that this is a controversial topic. You need to take side first whether you are for or
against it and put yourself in others’ shoes, understand the point of view and rationales of
your opponent, then defeat their position with your rationales, and defend your position.
4. In the Hong Kong Climate Change Report 2015 (the second reference in class 1), a
number of energy saving, and climate change mitigation measures were mentioned.
Evaluate these measures in terms of their adequacy and effectiveness in reducing the
carbon intensity of the city by 50-60% from the 2005 level by 2020. Your evaluation must
be fully justified.
5. “Energy saved is energy use before retrofit minus energy use after the retrofit plus/minus
adjustment”. Explain and elaborate the rationales behind this argument. State situations
where these statements can vary.
6. Some argued that carbon offset and carbon neutrality are the solutions to Climate Change. Do you think that it is true? How to verify carbon footprint offset for industries?
