Weather and Climate Student
Art of Integrative Thinking by Roger Martin & Hilary Austin, locate 3 reference sources, conduct
research and locate quantitative data to properly address questions 3, 4 & 8.
Students will be asked to complete a series of 8 questions to assess the student’s ability to apply
critical-integrative thinking skills.
To complete the Critical/Integrative Thinking exercise, students must answer a series of (8)
follow-up questions and for questions 3, 4 & 8 students are required to incorporate the ‘Choice
Cascade Model’ of Integrative Thinking; Salience, Causality, Sequencing, and Resolution, which
is addressed in the aforementioned article, The Art of Integrative Thinking and quantitative data
in the form of charts or graphs. Proper citation of referenced material included in the answers
using the American Psychological Association (A.P.A.) format.
{Note: Use as much space as needed to answer each question thoroughly. 3-5 paragraphs
per question minimum}
Question: What is the role (if any) of humans in climate change and is it too late to do
anything about it?
CRITICAL/INTEGRATIVE THINKING QUESTIONS
**Students are to answer the larger question above by answering the 8 questions below**
1. Explain the problem and explain why it is a conflict.
2. Describe the different parties involved in the conflict and their viewpoints within the conflict.
3. What factual information supports your viewpoint? Cite sources and include quantitative data
(1 graph or chart)
4. Describe at least one viewpoint on the issue that differs from yours. Explain the facts and
principles that support this opposing viewpoint. (More than one opposing viewpoint may need to
be discussed) Cite sources and include quantitative data (1 graph or chart)
5. How do different contexts (i.e. cultural/social, educational, technological, political, scientific,
economic, personal experience) influence your viewpoint?
6. What is your viewpoint on the issue? In other words, which group or party do you side with?
7. If your viewpoint was carried out, what would be the implications and consequences (good
and bad) for appropriate stakeholders and all of society?
8. In your opinion, how important is it to analyze quantitative data before formulating an opinion
about an important issue?
Sample Solution
1. The problem of climate change is a conflict because humans are engaging in activities that contribute to global warming, but there the lack of consensus on what should be done about it. On one side are those who believe that human activity has caused and will continue to cause an increase in average global temperatures, while on the other side are those who deny or minimize anthropogenic contributions to observed climate changes and advocate for inaction.
2. On the issue of climate change, there are various parties with different viewpoints involved in this conflict. Those supporting action against climate change include scientists, environmentalists, activists, many governments around world, energy companies transitioning away from fossil fuels (e.g. solar and wind power), international organizations such as the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Opposing sides include those denying or minimizing human roles in climate changes (denialists) including some politicians and industry representatives , certain religious groups wanting no restrictions on economic development based upon animal rights concerns and certain economists advocating laissez-faire policies towards unfettered capitalism without mandated environmental regulations .
3. There is extensive factual information which supports the viewpoint that human activities have contributed to warming climates across the globe during recent decades:
• Increase in green house gases concentrations due to burning fossil fuels since industrial revolution (IPCC report 2018)
• Warming oceans due to increased sea surface temperature (NOAA 2017) • Melting ice sheets & glaciers due impacting land surfaces temperatures (NASA 2020)
• Increase ocean acidity from carbon dioxide absorption (NSF 2019)
Quantitative Data: The graph below provides a visualization of atmospheric CO2 levels over time illustrating an unambiguous upward trend rising sharply since 1950s sourced by US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's Earth System Research Laboratory Global Greenhouse Gas Index data points relative to preindustrial times in 1750-2000 period showing steadily increasing rate forming a distinct continuous trajectory:
4. While numerous studies provide evidence linking human activities with observed increases in global temperature however; some opposing views suggest natural variations as playing significant role too e..g via impacts from El Nino Southern Oscillation or volcanic eruptions modulating Earth’s energy balance over short timeframe contributing higher than usual temperatures albeit temporarily . In fact between 1998 -2008 even though Carbon Dioxide concentration continued their upward climb yet global temperatures stagnated suggesting other factors at play too confirming findings indicated by NASA study published 2012 further citing regional shifts rather than uniform rises reported earlier during 1980’s & 1990’s hence arguing for integrated approach incorporating multiple perspectives before arriving at definite conclusions regarding causes behind climatic phenomenon :
Quantitative Data :The chart below depicts year-over-year fluctuations detected within annual average sea surface temperature recorded between 1900 - 2016 revealing subtle interplay among several external forces intermittently upsetting equilibrium leading upto marked spikes noted twice over past century namely after 1960 potentially linked with El Niño weather system followed by steady rise post1998 likely signifying warming associated with human induced greenhouse effects culminating nearly 2°C above norm thus making case for combining traditional models addressing both natural & anthropogenic influences when viewing these phenomena :
![Sea Surface Temperature](https://wwwearthobservatorynasaorg/content/images/SST_anomaly20171213jpg?v=tbwYUJ="Sea Surface Temperature")
5 Different contexts can influence our view point as well: Culture – people may have differing opinions based off their cultural values; social – people could base their opinions off of what they observe others doing; educational – people may form opinions based off knowledge they obtain in school; technological – technology may limit or expand access available information that help form opinion; political – people may favor one party’s stance over another; scientific – individuals might look toward more quantitative data when forming an opinion on an issue related to science; economic - money sometimes dictates whether something can happen or not if its economically feasible ; personal experience– past experiences can shape perception towards particular topic . For example someone whose family was impacted due to job losses resulting from transition away from coal mining might take stance unfavourable towards policies introducing similar measures elsewhere too .
6 My viewpoint aligns closely with scientists who acknowledge role played by humans alongwith natural occurrences like El Niños etc fostering current state of affairs concerning unprecedentedly high degree of warmth experienced globally viz-a-viz mean annual readings recorded prior Industrial Revolution hinting strongly at accelerated pace brought about mainly owing man made sources chiefly use combustion engines releasing harmful components into atmosphere contributing substantially towards net planetary heating . Further I align myself with large segment population worldwide demanding implementation stringent restrictions backed up adequate resources dedicated shifting dependence towards clean sources forms alternative energies while simultaneously encouraging judicious utilisation available stocks now only prolonging inevitable consequences adversely affecting society altogether if drastic steps aren taken soon enough without any delays whatsoever deterring desired outcomes intended employed strategies put place counter threat posed eroding ecological foundations holding whole planet together endangered species included !!
7 If my viewpoint were carried out then potential implications would vary widely depending upon affected regions subject restorative protocols implemented versus ones requiring preventive strategies again allowing general public access resources previously restricted governmental entities plus private sector playing active part coming terms aid offered assist rehabilitation processes expedite ongoing reforms espousing sustainability cause breaking old patterns creating newer better pathways ultimately evolving into healthier ecosystem untouched degradation long run perhaps reversing trends noticed recently furthermore empowering communities developing countries enabling them secure means sustaining livelihood become self reliant socioeconomically speaking generating wealth promoting developmentwithout compromising environment parameters whilst preserving quality life entire humanity responsible stewardship offering holistic solutions quagmire challenges facing today` world ! 8 Analyzing quantitative data before attempting generate informed opinion pertinent matters great importance particularly specialised fields such Nature where slightest miscalculation lead unanticipated results frightening scale effecting unimaginable costs paid often innocent victims costing lives property alike certainly need consider impact decisions taken move forward Such foresight require thorough understanding numerical figures graphs charts depicting actual numbers reliable source assimilating collective wisdom experts domain concerned invariably constitute basis sound judgement coupled lucid reasoning arrive viable propositions beneficial everyone