Heat Assignment
Heat. Frontline, 2008.
The complete film streams free at Frontline. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/heat/
The aim of this assignment is to make an argument for what you believe is the appropriate role of fossil fuel (coal, oil, natural gas) energy companies in responding to climate change. For the purposes of this assignment, we’ll assume that the general science about climate change is basically correct and that the continued burning of fossil fuels creates serious economic
burdens for present and future generations. (The film will give you an overview of the basic climate science and climate scenarios. If you’re a skeptic about climate science, just think of this assignment as a thought experiment.)
Given the serious nature of the current and future effects brought about by climate change,
what responsibility do you believe energy companies—which profit off of the production and
consumption of fossil fuels—have in:
(a) developing alternative, sustainable energy sources? (250 words)
(b) helping poor nations adapt to the effects of climate change? (250 words)
I recommend that you watch the entire film, but if you are limited for time, you can watch the first one hour and fifteen minutes. I also recommend that you read through the discussion of corporate social responsibility as related to the film here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/heat/themes/corp.html
Assigning Heat
Heat. Frontline was released in 2008.
The entire film is available for free on Frontline. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/heat/
The goal of this project is for you to establish a case for what you believe is the appropriate role of fossil fuel (coal, oil, and natural gas) energy firms in addressing climate change. For the purposes of this assignment, we’ll assume that the overall science on climate change is largely valid, and that continuing to burn fossil fuels imposes significant economic costs on current and future generations. (The film will provide you with an overview of basic climate science as well as possible climatic scenarios.) Think of this project as a thought experiment if you’re a skeptic of climate science.)
Given the seriousness of the current and future implications of climate change,
