University of California Tesla and Renewable Energy Discussion This week you will submit your Individual Draft for review to take you and your team one ste

University of California Tesla and Renewable Energy Discussion This week you will submit your Individual Draft for review to take you and your team one step closer to your final Team Project. Your draft should reflect the progress you have made in completing each milestone related to the Course Project in the earlier weeks, synthesize ideas you and your team members have developed, and highlight the key areas of analysis you have identified throughout the course.

Individual drafts should be four to five pages in length and follow APA standards. Your draft must also include a brief paragraph that explains your part of the Team Project and where your draft will fit into the final paper. This is an individual assignment.

Grading Rubric

This assignment is worth 125 points. See the Grading Rubric below.

Content Criteria Points
Draft Introduction The introduction is clear and provides an overview of key issues addressed in the section. The topic of the draft is situated within the team thesis and ethical context. 15
Structure The section is organized logically and has a clear development trajectory that begins with foundational materials. The structure of the draft is in alignment with the team outline and achieves a level of consistency with the team documents. 20
Evidence and Topic Development Concrete and detailed evidence is used to support claims and develop the topic. Evidence is used in a variety of ways and is appropriate to the context. 35
Analysis and Critical Thinking Thoughtful analysis is performed to help situate the evidence within the team argument and provide engagement with the topic. 35
Style and Format Conventions are consistent and unified. The formatting adheres to APA standards. Citations are complete and properly formatted. 10
Reflection Framing questions have been addressed, and there is a clear understanding of the role that the draft will play in the final Course Project. 10
Total 125 Energy & Transportation
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Environment & Transportation Proposal
Cindi Bagwell, Natasha Smith, Herrisha Morris
DeVry University
Energy & Transportation
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Team Name: Future Energy
Team Members and Responsibilities:
Member
Role
Cindi
Identify Topic/Ethical concerns/Reflection
Natasha
Develop Detailed plan/Reflection
Jesse
Develop Detailed Plan/Reflection
Herrisha
Thesis Statement/Subtopic/Reflection
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Energy & Transportation Proposal
The Future of Transportation & Pollution (Cindi)
The topic at hand entails a detailed analysis regarding the future of transportation and
pollution. Pollution is known as an abundance of harmful materials released into the
environment. It derives from the burning of fossil fuels, coal, oil, and natural gas. Often, today’s
vehicles and factories produce harmful pollutants such as nitrogen, sulfur oxide, and
hydrocarbons. (National Geographic Society, 2020). Future Energy will dive into the current
pollution levels, and decipher how to reduce the rates of pollution on planet Earth. Our analysis
will entail possible solutions such as electric vehicles production to maintain low pollution levels
post the COVID-19 pandemic. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, believes that, with the current rate of
fossil fuel use, we cannot last another ten years utilizing and depending on such without
experiencing the consequences and effects (Gohd, 2016). Thus, the future of the planet depends
on using alternate solutions to fossil fuels. Tesla takes the driver’s seat to ensure vehicles stop
producing Co2; instead, power the world with electric and solar energy vehicles.
Ethical Concerns (Cindi)
As of 2019, there has been a decline in pollutants (EPA, 2020). However, there are still
some ethical concerns. As shown, there has been a decline in pollutants. Especially with the
COVID-19 pandemic, there is significantly less abundance of pollution in the environment
currently. When the pandemic declines, will the people of our planet strive to maintain this
healthier aspect of our planet? Some may be concerned as to who, in particular, is going to assist
in keeping the pollution levels as low as possible. A concern, that speculates whether or not
companies are hungry for money or hungry to make the environment healthier and safer for the
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planet and its people, arises. There may be a possible risk of consumers not adjusting to the new
environmental norms as well. Thus, making the predicament more difficult to control and
eliminate.
A prevailing, innovative, company that aspires for a globally zero-emission future
describes Tesla. Tesla’s mission is to “accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy”.
The innovations of the company is to pilot consumers to a feasible method for a sustainable, yet
efficient, ecosystem of energy (TESLA, 2017). Tesla’s innovations inspire others to go green.
Competitors such as Ford and General Motors are racing to surpass Tesla’s innovations. Both
companies are, currently, in the works of their own electric vehicles. Theoretically speaking, if
companies begin to produce more electric and solar energy vehicles, rather than gasoline or
petrol fueled vehicles, the world would have a significant decline in environmental pollution.
The following are ethical questions citizens of the United States should be considering:
I.
II.
III.
Are electric vehicles as ethically clean as manufacturers would have you believe?
Are the conditions by which the cobalt is acquired done by ethical means?
Should the United States enforce strict regulations for a more responsible cobalt
initiative?
Thesis Statement (Herrisha)
Tesla is a strong competitor in the automobile industry. The company is a pioneer in the
manufacturing of autonomous cars. These cars use electric energy, with limited to no carbon
emission. The company’s sustainability and eco-friendliness have made it famous and led to its
increased sales and profitability (MWS, 2017). Tesla’s focuses on environmental sustainability,
safety, and innovation which have made its electric cars hugely popular. Despite other people’s
objections that electric vehicles just shift carbon footprints from the trail to the power plants, it is
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arguable that still, EVs are way better in reducing carbon footprints than cars that use fossil fuels
(Miles, 2019). In fact, it should be our responsibility to promote the introduction of eco-friendly
vehicles instead of coming with void theories regarding electric cars.
Climate change already has effects that can be felt by everyone, and Tesla has just
provided a direction on what best needs to be done to combat this global disaster (Stein &
Hawkins, 2020). For instance, Tesla acquired SolarCity in 2016 and grew its product portfolio to
consist of battery storage, solar roof tiles and panels (MWS, 2017). Ultimately, Tesla has not
only achieved a competitive advantage by integrating its business operations with measures for
combating climate, but it has also provided a head-start and incentive for the adoption of “green”
strategies and healthy environmental practices.
Sub-Topics:
Benefiting the Environment & Going Green (Natasha, Cindi & Herrisha)
● Electric car companies should improve practices to ensure their role in this new energy
revolution is truly clean and done ethically.
❖ Many have questioned if electric cars are currently as clean ethically as
they should be. As we know electric cars are run by using cobalt which is
a chemical element that is mined by children and adults in hazardous
conditions.
● The advantage or disadvantage of the Tesla and Panasonic partnership.
❖ Panasonic struck an agreement with Tesla four years ago, in 2016.
Together, they produced solar cells in Buffalo, NY. As of this year,
Panasonic will be resigning from their agreement. However, this is not
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necessarily a loss for Tesla. Tesla could seek partnerships with Sunpower
and LG for solar products.
● The Benefits of using renewable energy.
❖ The benefits of using renewable energy gives us an opportunity to fuel the
planet in a safe and responsible way. Renewable energy gives way to
economic prosperity and social progression.
● Renewable energy’s impact on environment
❖ The impact that renewable energy has on the environment is
revolutionary. Using renewable energy would help to mitigate the earth’s
pollution and secure what is left of the earth’s natural resources.
Team Members and the subtopics they will be responsible for: (Natasha)
Member
Cindi
Sub Topic
● The advantage or disadvantage of the Tesla and Panasonic
partnership.
Natasha
● improving practices to ensure manufacturers are using ethical
means
Jesse
● Provided he is present: Benefits of reusable energy
Herrisha
● Renewable energy’s impact on environment
The Next Step Detailed Plan (Natasha)
Some steps as a team that we can take in terms of a research plan moving forward are to
first, define the problem or purpose of the research which I believe we have done well as per our
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thesis. We will determine the appropriate research methods which will include, using reliable
and credible sources such as scholarly, peer-reviewed articles or books written by researchers for
students and researchers. Team Future Energy will communicate effectively and efficiently, by
having weekly meetings via phone or web, exchanging information and ideas as well as
prioritizing next steps of completion for the week. We will collect and analyze data weekly for a
coherent and fluid approach so that all information is clear and relative to the topic selected.
Future Energy will maintain a clear distinction between our own words and the words and ideas of
others, assuring all references and citations are concise and within the ethical parameters of a good
research paper.
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Individual Reflection:
Cindi
I maintain the responsibility of the record and document chair. To elaborate, I maintain
the role of setting up and cultivate team databases and document sharing; such as google
documents. I also submit assignments on the team’s behalf. In our project, I define and discuss
terminology that relates to ethical concerns of the environment and transportation. I also discuss
pollution statistics, along with defining a company that aspires for a more “green” world. Lastly,
I elaborate regarding ethical concerns and questions citizens should consider. I also touch base
on potential solutions to be discussed further along in the paper. Moving forward, I will lead our
team to the discovery and analysis regarding reduction of pollutants and carbon emissions for the
future of Earth and transportation. I also take co-chair, with Jesse who is chair of presentation.
This entails assistance in a powerpoint presentation. I will assist in ensuring the slides contain all
of the paper’s information in a single document; along with making it professional.
Natasha
My role as the paper chair (or co-chair) will be responsible for placing all drafts in a single
document and reviewing formatting. Our topic is pollution, transportation and renewable energy, using
Tesla as our benchmark. The topic for our research paper relates to the stated thesis because it embodies
the notion of limited carbon emissions and smarter ways to reduce our footprint by making more
responsible choices in terms of the cars we choose to have on the road.
Herrisha
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My role as communication will be responsible for setting up our weekly meetings and
taking notes during the meeting I will be using active communication .As well routinely
checking in on the team to make sure we all are still on the same page and no new information
needs to be communicated. I will provide Future energy with credible sources on renewable
energy practices and how most renewable energy sources produce little to no global warming
emissions. How those renewable sources can help with more efficient transportation.
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References
Dummett, M., (2017) . The Dark Side of Electric Cars, Exploitative Labor Practices.
Retrieved from: https://time.com/4939738/electric-cars-human-rights-congo/
EPA. (2020). Air Quality Trends Show Clean Air Progress. Retrieved from
https://gispub.epa.gov/air/trendsreport/2019/#highlights
Miles, A. (2019). Can Tesla Save The Earth? | CleanTechnica. CleanTechnica. Retrieved 13
May
2020, from https://cleantechnica.com/2019/10/27/can-tesla-save-the-earth/.
MWS. (2017). Tesla and the environmental impact of lithium-ion batteries. Technology and
Operations Management. Retrieved 13 May 2020, from
https://digital.hbs.edu/platform-rctom/submission/tesla-and-the-environmental-impact-oflithium-ion-batteries/.
National Geographic Society. (2020). pollution. Retrieved from
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/pollution/
Stein, J., & Hawkins, H. (2020). Green New Deal. www.gp.org. Retrieved 13 May 2020, from
https://www.gp.org/green_new_deal.
TESLA. (2017, January 9). Production Begins at the Gigafactory. Retrieved from
https://www.tesla.com/blog/battery-cell-production-begins-gigafactory
Running head: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Annotated Bibliography
Herrisha Morris
DeVry University
1
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
2
Electric Cars in New Energy Revolution
Holmberg, K., & Erdemir, A. (2019). The impact of tribology on energy use and CO2
emission globally and in combustion engine and electric cars. Tribology
International, 135, 389-396. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1559285
The authors discuss how environmental sustainability has grown over the years, which
calls for the need to get transparent transport systems. They emphasize the need of having
electric cars come up with new advances that can work in reducing the amount of energy they
consume. The authors, therefore, recommend the need for having innovative designs as a way of
improving the efficiency of cars. The article is useful for my research as it uses different
mechanisms to analyze the impact of friction among electric car users thereby providing accurate
findings for the study.
Degirmenci, K., & Breitner, M. H. (2017). Consumer purchase intentions for electric
vehicles: Is green more important than price and range?. Transportation Research
Part D: Transport and Environment, 51, 250-260.
https://eprints.qut.edu.au/102860/8/TRD_2016_302_Accepted_Version.pdf
The article highlights the need for electric vehicle manufacturers to consider going green
in producing energy sources. Here, a more significant focus is given on the role of the vehicles
in environmental performance by the use of attitude predictors and purchase intention. The use
of a variety of reflective measurements that looked at the environmental performance makes the
research suitable in analyzing measures to be implemented for electric cars in the new energy
revolution.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
3
Use of Cobalt in Electric Cars
Behrmann, E., Farchy, J., & Dodge, S. (2018). Hype Meets Reality as Electric Car Dreams
Run Into Metal Crunch. Bloomberg Business News.
irstcobalt.com/_resources/pdf/Bloomberg-Hype-Meets-Reality-as-Electric-CarDreams-Run-Into-Metal-Crunch-Jan-11-201
In analyzing the realities behind electric cars, the authors confirm that tons of cobalt is
usually needed in making electric cars. Here, the use of cobalt is considered a useful element
with the growing demand of the cars; the authors predict that there will be a shortage in the
mineral supplies. The article further explains how mining deals have had even children working
with their hands, which makes it a reliable article in explaining some of the hazardous conditions
they face.
Nkulu, C. B. L., Casas, L., Haufroid, V., De Putter, T., Saenen, N. D., Kayembe-Kitenge,
T., … & Numbi, O. L. (2018). Sustainability of artisanal mining of cobalt in DR
Congo. Nature sustainability, 1(9), 495-504.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6166862/
The authors discuss the process behind cobalt mining for making lithium-ion batteries
required by electric cars. Mining this mineral is considered to have transformed one of the
Congo’s neighborhoods, affecting the people living around. The article clarifies that there have
been cases where cobalt was found in blood and urine, especially in children living around the
mining sites. This gives a confirmation of how the mining of cobalt is not sustainable for both
adults and children, which will help in facilitating accurate findings of my research.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
4
Beck, C., Jones, T., Swafford, L., & Schmidt, H. (2018). Electric Vehicles.
https://shareok.org/bitstream/handle/11244/317114/ElectricCars.pdf?sequence=1
The article looks at how cobalt mining has become a business where most families rely
on for their survival. The authors point out that families, including children, engage in the
practice where most of them take pride in the small amounts of money they get from the activity.
In analyzing different situations associated with the mining, the dangers of engaging in it are
equally mentioned, which makes the article useful in the study. It gives a clear picture of how
efforts of making the dream of electric cars a reality affect individuals.
Environment & Transportation
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Environment & Transportation
Cindi Bagwell, Natasha Smith, Herrisha Morris, Jesse Orozco
DeVry University
Environment & Transportation
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Introduction: (Jesse)
Have you ever wondered what you can do to help fix the environment? Think about all
the daily activities you do throughout the day. Think about how you get from point A to point B.
People might not see it but everytime they use means of transportation the environment suffers.
What can we do to help and what resources do we have to take action and have a positive
impact? There is so much new technology at our disposal for means of transportation for
example, electric cars are more sustainable than regular fuel cars. Per average a typical gasoline
power car can run about 24.7 MPG, which is a big improvement from what it was before,
however an electric car can run as high as 100 MPGe which is a little more than 300% of
efficiency when we compare both. If electric cars are so much better than gasoline power cars
what are the main factors that keep electric cars from being mass produced at lower cost? Are
there any political factors affecting the industry of clean and renewable energy that do not let it
take off?
The environment is such a fragile part of human daily life, people see and hear on the
news the terrible things that are happening around the world such as extreme weather situations,
animals going extinct, mass deforestation and pollution. Anti-pollution efforts should focus on
renewable energy and electric cars. Americans can preasuare the government to add additional
funding to mass produce electric cars and change our current energy system from fossil fuel to
clean renewable energy.
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Topic
Hook: Attention Grabber (should have been Jesse’s part, however he did not do it ( Natasha)
Tesla is setting the tone for renewable energy, with segways into responsible ethical
business practices in clean energy, which are sure to be the wave for the future ensuring
sustainability for our planet and adapting good habits to incorporate in our daily living.
Research Questions (should have been Jesse’s part however he did not do it…(Natasha)
1. Should electric car companies improve practices to ensure their role in this new energy
revolution is truly clean and done ethically?
2. Are there any other solutions to clean energy as it pertains to the batteries used in electric
cars?
3. What are the impacts of renewable energy on the environment?
4. What are the advantages or disadvantages of renewable energy?
5. Will Tesla be the answer to cleaner air quality and will they make more affordable
models for working class people to join in the efforts of cleaner air quality?
Working Thesis (Herrisha)
Tesla is a strong competitor in the automobile industry. The company is a pioneer in the
manufacturing of autonomous cars. These cars use electric energy, with limited to no carbon
emission. The company’s sustainability and eco-friendliness have made it famous and led to its
increased sales and profitability (MWS, 2017). Tesla’s focuses on environmental sustainability,
Environment & Transportation
4
safety, and innovation which have made its electric cars hugely popular. Despite other people’s
objections that electric vehicles just shift carbon footprints from the trail to the power plants, it is
arguable that still, EVs are way better in reducing carbon footprints than cars that use fossil fuels
(Miles, 2019). In fact, it should be our responsibility to promote the introduction of eco-friendly
vehicles instead of coming with void theories regarding electric cars.
Climate change already has effects that can be felt by everyone, and Tesla has just
provided a direction on what best needs to be done to combat this global disaster (Stein &
Hawkins, 2020). For instance, Tesla acquired SolarCity in 2016 and grew its product portfolio to
consist of battery storage, solar roof tiles and panels (MWS, 2017). Ultimately, Tesla has not
only achieved a competitive advantage by integrating its business operations with measures for
combating climate, but it has also provided a head-start and incentive for the adoption of “green”
strategies and healthy environmental practices. Tesla has achieved a great deal of efficiency
with respect to supporting clean air quality by producing electric cars that do not emit erosion
into our air supply, however their practices of how they acquire the material to make these cars
go could be questionable.
Context (Should have been Jesse’s part but he did not do it)
Background Information on Topic/Historical Timeline (Herrisha)
Since 1945 population growth and…
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