Expectations: Go beyond the readings in your writing, but use them as your foundation; present a clear, focused, well-developed and substantiated argument; write clearly and carefully; and get the facts right. Length = two pages maximum! Essays will be graded on a scale of 1-10, with a grade of 8 assigned to a good essay, 9 to a very good, and 10 to an exceptionable essay. Your lowest score will be dropped in computing your overall grade.

Essay #7 (due March 1)

Are CIG efforts too weak, or too strong, on detailed processes? Should this research group focus more or less effort on interactions between sectors, more or less effort on public policy and/or economics, or take on entirely new sectors? . . . You're on the review panel charged with evaluating CIG's work to-date and recommending future research directions. Given CIG's progress so far and their stated mission, i.e., "to increase the resilience of the PNW to climate variability and change," what would you recommed their focus be over the next five years? In developing your answer you might consider comparing the Kaje diagram developed in class on Wednesday (showing CIG's progress in integration - the red x's), with an alternate Kaje diagram that would map out key areas of integration/interaction in real world climate-sensitive PNW resource management issues (the green x's).

Essay #6 (due February 22)

Given (1) that sea level rise will likely exacerbate beach erosion and coastal landsliding, (2) that many of the sea level rise responses involve land use management choices, and (3) that there is a growing polarity in society regarding private property rights vis a vis government's traditional role in managing land use, what is the most viable sea level rise response and why?

Essay #5 (due February 15)

What kinds of management decisions and policies regarding forest resources are potentially affected by natural climatic variability? By anthropogenic climate change?

Essay #4 (due February 8)

Many municipal and hydropower supplies are currently being asked to consider changes in their operations due to the endangered species act. At the heart of these issues is the trade-off between habitat maintenance and/or enhancement and current system yield. Another way to frame this problem is simply, how do we evaluate the sustainability of a water resource system and characterize the uncertainties of our assumptions and conclusions? If you were asked to evaluate the sustainability of water resources in the Columbia basin, what factors would you consider, what impacts would you evaluate, and what metrics would you use to characterize sustainability? Consider climate variability and change explicitly.

Essay #3 (due February 1)

Water resources planning has shifted from a federally dominated process to one characterized by decentralized decision making, involvement of stakeholder groups, and slow decision making. In addition to these institutional changes, questions concerning the degree to which climate change may impact our ability to plan are now being considered. Which of these institutional settings is likely to result in better planning? Consider who makes decisions, how decisions are made, and how the results of decisions impact both individuals and institutions. Speak explicitly to the increased level of impact uncertainties related to climate change.

Essay #2 (due January 25)

Should fishery scientists retreat from traditional, reductionist research programs?

In last week's reading Saraweitz and Pielke argued that research into global warming might not be the best investement of limited federal dollars. In this week's reading, Ludwig et al. argue that investments in scientific research for "sustainability" are unwise. Holling claims that a more holistic and integrated research agenda offers a promising avenue for research in support of "sustainability." Please discuss your thoughts on Holling's notion of "2nd Stream science," and whether such an approach might aid managers grappling with difficult issues like preserving NW salmon fisheries while protecting endangered species.

Essay #1 (due January 16)

"STOP GLOBAL WARMING" is a rallying cry for some environmental groups. Skeptics have responded with claims that the threat of global warming is too ill-defined and uncertain to warrant any actions. In response to the polarization and gridlock in the climate change debate, Sarewitz and Pielke advocate policies focused on reducing societies' vulnerability to weather and climate. Critique the Sarewitz and Pielke strategy: would it constitute a sound approach for the US in the next decade? If not, how might it be improved? If so, why is it a sound approach?

 

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