International Response, Future Challenges, and Individual Responsibility

Assignment 4: International Response, Future Challenges, and Individual Responsibility (15%)

Introduction

Now that you have completed the activities and the discussion for Module 4, you are ready to do Assignment 4 and send it to your Open Learning Faculty Member for evaluation.

This assignment is out of 100 marks and is worth 15 per cent of your final course grade.

Instructions

The assignment has two sections:

• Section A: Short Critical Reflections (30 marks)
• Section B: Essay (70 marks)

Details of each section follow.

Section A: Short Critical Reflections (30 marks)

Select one of the assigned readings in each topic in Module 4 and write a short critical reflection (about 250 words) for each (a total of three critical reflections; ten marks for each reflection). You may find it helpful to use one or more of the focus questions included in the activity as a guide.

The critical reflection should present your own thoughts and responses to the reading. Thus, it is an interaction between the ideas in the reading and your own interpretation and response to what you have read. The critical reflection is a polished piece of writing that will be assessed using the same criteria as any piece of writing. It should include an introduction, a body that presents your thoughts clearly and logically, and a conclusion. You may write in the first person but be sure to refer to some of the ideas that are introduced in the reading.

Section B: Essay (70 marks)

Now that you have a general understanding of the international response to climate change, write an essay of 750–1000 words discussing some of the issues and challenges associated with creating an international agreement to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Your essay must consider some of the problems already encountered with international agreements on climate change as well as ongoing challenges. Also consider the following questions: Should a new agreement be legally binding at the international level? Should all countries be treated equally? What action would you like to see Canada take on climate change? You may use content from the required readings, but you must include at least two new references.