DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: from PBS
1 In what ways might climate change affect the way people live?
2 Describe how our economy and way of life are dependent on fossil fuels.
3 Describe the problems developing countries face in trying to modernize.
4 Describe how U.S. policy toward global warming changed between the Kyoto Protocol and the 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Bali.
5 Why is the expression “America is addicted to coal” true? ■ Why is “clean coal” technology going to be difficult to implement as an
environmentally acceptable fuel for producing electricity? ■ What is President-elect Barack Obama’s position on clean coal?
6 Historically, what has been the U.S. automakers’ policy on fuel-efficient cars? ■ How has this policy benefited the automakers and cost the American consumer?
7 Explain how the oil industry’s attitude toward renewable energy is similar to the U.S. automakers’ attitude toward fuel-efficient cars?
8 Describe the lesson learned after the Clinton administration’s attempt to encourage U.S. automakers to produce fuel-efficient vehicles. ■ Explain why corn-based ethanol might ultimately be an impractical alternative
to gasoline.
9 Describe how Europe has taken the lead in developing fuel-efficient vehicles and renewable energy. ■ How will T. Boone Pickens’ natural gas and wind plan and building more nuclear
power plants help address America’s dependence on fossil fuels?
10 With all the evidence indicating that fossil fuel consumption contributes to global warming, why do you think Congress is still unable to come up with a plan to address the problem?
What is Hibernia owned by Exxon? How much oil did it pump since coming into operation? At 80 million bbl/day, how many days of global oil supply did it provide?
How did the Exxon lady defend their lack of investment in renewable resources?
Dan Kammen says what? Where does he work?
How much did Exxon make in the year of the movie? How much did they invest in renewable energy? Explain.
It has been said that if you drive a Prius hybrid with fuel from the tar sand of Canada, it's the equivalent of driving a Hummer. Why?
During the 2008 video, they state that oil is at $90/bbl. What is it today?
The car companies were working on a diesel-electric hybrid: what happened and why?
What did Toyota build, and why? How long is their advantage now?
Do you believe the lady from GM? Explain.
What happened to the Chevy Volt in the Photo Shoot?
Is corn ethanol really a green solution? Who is pushing corn ethanol and why?
Why does Dan Kammen say corn is not a good biofuel?
Explain the three sources of bio-ethanol: corn, cellulosic and sugar cane. Brazil produces which of these?
How does Amy's statement about small interests resonate with Senator Dingell's actions earlier in the film?
Compare renewable energy in Germany to the US.
How does the smart grid fit into the renewable energy solution?
T. Boone Pickens sold his oil investments and moved into wind farms in Texas. Check into this on wikipedia to see how he's doing now (2011).
150,000 megawatts of power is what Pickens plans on installing, which would be worth how much per year? 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, sell the power for $0.10 per kWh. 131.4 billion dollars per year? If his ROI is 7 years, and the turbines last 17 years, how much money will his company make overall?
Why is nuclear energy getting a fresh look?
Who became president?
What is the difference between Navy nuclear power plants and commercial industrial power plants?
How is nuclear waste storage involved in this problem?
Explain cap and trade, and the plus and minus for this proposal.
Who is the last person interviewed, who speaks about "great humility"? What is his job today? Why is this critical?
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