Now that you have explored environmental science and have gained some literacy on topics including threatened species and water and air quality, you are asked to evaluate a YouTube video for accuracy. Can you differentiate emotional appeals and scientific facts as you view the video? Complete a two-paragraph submission based on the following steps and questions.
STEP 1
WATCH: CLIMATE EXPERT REACTS TO ESCALATING CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS
Directions: As you view it, take notes on the scientific claims that are presented in the video.
(ABC News, 2022)
Estimated time to complete: 4.5 minutes
This video, as well as many others produced during the heat wave which occurred in the summer of 2022, made many claims about the future, including record-breaking heat, a yearlong fire season in California, devastating droughts, and increased flooding.
Choose one of these claims and research it in Herzing’s library. Then answer the following:
What scientific evidence is there to support these claims? (Include 2 external sources)
Are all scientists convinced fossil fuel use is going to destroy the planet through global warming?
In your opinion, is the situation as dire as that presented in this news report? Why or Why not?
Time has passed since this news report was written and produced.
Since that time, has California been experiencing non-stop fires, as predicted in the video?
Since that time, has California done anything to prevent additional fires?
What if any weather events have occurred since that summer to mitigate the threat?
STEP 2
Watch the video a second time, this time focusing on the images used. Then answer the following:
Which images were the most effective?
Why were these images more effective than others? (ethical reasons, personal, political, beautiful, scary)
How did they make you feel?
Do the emotional appeals lessen the value of the science presented?
What could be done to reduce the emotional impact?
What could be done to increase the video’s scientific credibility?
Given your current understanding of environmental science, what is your reaction to news reports like this one?
