Hi All, how about we have a chat?
This seems like a good time to me. We've covered quite a bit of territory together. How does it all relate to the real world, our region, our lives, our time? After that? We'll launch into our energy chapters (in the next two modules)...
So, let's talk about "Climate Whiplash". Let's take a listen to the (10-minute) February 14th "Living on Eart Links to an external site." podcast about the topic, and have a conversation. Please note: I have provided additional links for those who might be interested in learning more about the topic or the expert doing the talking.*
"Climate Whiplash" is the colloquial term for the more formal term, "hydroclimate volatility", the subject of the most recently published material from Daniel Swain PhD entitled, Hydroclimate volatility on a warming eart Links to an external site. (09 January 2025 in the journal Nature).
https://megaphone.link/LOE6748284659
*I encourage you to learn more about Daniel Swai Links to an external site., and recommend his WeatherWest Blog Linksto an external site. and student drop-in hours that he hosts on YouTubLinks to an external site.! I found his recent conversation debunking wildfire mythLinks to an external site. particularly relevant as it addressed our January firestorm and the misinformation around it. I don't know whether any of you were affected, directly or indirectly; my mom is still evacuated from her smoke-damaged home, but she is safe, and we are grateful for that, and recognize that we are more fortunate than others.
Instructions:
- Listen to the (10-minute) podcast (contemplate how it connects to your life, and the material we've covered in our first couple of modules; and if you're so inclined, which I hope you are, check out some of the additional links I provided).https://megaphone.link/LOE6748284659
- Share your thoughts (3 points)
- I'm not all too interested to hear what ChatGPT or any other AI-generated text has to say, and I imagine you all aren't either! Don't you find it a little demoralizing or isolating to read AI-generated material from classmates, like they aren't really there? Personally, when I'm taking an online class, I want to know there is another real, live person in my class (perhaps suffering along with me! or sharing insights, life experiences, different perspectives), don't you?! Well, perhaps that's the subject for another discussion... In the meantime, just tell me and your classmates what thoughts the podcast inspires in you!
- Respond to Peers (2 points):
- Read through your classmates’ posts and respond to at least two of them. Keep the conversation going. Let them know that you are a real, live person, and that they aren't alone!
As stated before, research findings suggest a strong correlation between students' sense of belonging or connectedness and their academic success