3 Articles on Energy Independance/Consumption

Last week you were given 3 different articles focusing on the aspects of energy consumption/independence.

What aspects/arguments presented in the articles do you agree with? What aspects/arguments do you disagree with? Justify your reasoning.

You need to post a response no later than Saturday 11:59 p.m.

Soylent Green

The 1976 movie, "Soylent Green" was ahead of its time in portraying the dangers of non-sustainable growth and the consequence of an absence of environmental stewardship. It is in all probability the first movie (not documentary) that showed the possible effects from climate change to mankind. One of the interesting aspects of the movie is that despite the futuristic setting, it wasn't portrayed in a futuristic manner (as opposed to other movies with starships, lasers and teleporting devices). In fact, all of the technology presented in the film was available at the time the movie was produced.

This movie was made to be gritty and not necessarily "fantastic". In many ways it intended to be a warning of the path that were on, and continue to be on. This movie has become somewhat of a cult classic, but was still fairly popular when it first came out.

To conclude our study of this film, consider the following questions:

Are we on the same path (as a global society, and or as a nation) that precursed the plot (as was presented in the movie by Sal when he recounts why the world was in such dire straits)? Can we control our outcome? Do we want to control our outcome as a human race? What must we do if we are to help control our outcome on this planet?

You must post you responses to the questions no later than this Sunday 11:59 p.m.

Cap and Trade?

Based on the article you were given in class on Friday, what are your thoughts on the cap and trade system? What do you think about the possibility of Oregon not waiting for the federal government?


You must post no later than Tuesday night 11:59 p.m.