What is the Severity of Climate Change Events on Coral Reefs?
This poster proposal was created by Lucas Goldfluss and Kristina Murtha as part of our Fall 2020 NR 103 Signature Assignment. Click here to enlarge the poster!
A UVM blog NR 103: Ecology, Ecosystems, and Environment
This was such a thought-provoking read about ECHO’s Carbon Initiative, Katie Rose! It’s truly inspiring to see how programs like this offer such a tangible and local way for individuals to contribute to something as monumental as addressing climate change. Especially combining it with support for Vermont State Parks, which brings so many other co-benefits like biodiversity and public access – that just feels like a brilliant win-win.
I really appreciate your focus on how local action can snowball into global solutions. It makes me curious, from your digging into the initiative, what’s often considered the biggest hurdle such programs face in both, one, accurately measuring the specific carbon offset benefits delivered over time, and two, effectively communicating those long-term impacts to the public? Also, I hear different viewpoints on carbon offsets more broadly, between those who see them as hugely empowering and those who worry they might potentially reduce motivation for bigger personal consumption changes; where do you stand on that delicate balance regarding ECHO’s unique, local approach?
This post does such a great job highlighting the incredible, interconnected web of benefits that forests bring, beyond just carbon capture! It’s easy to focus on just one aspect, but seeing the whole spectrum you’ve laid out – from biodiversity and ecosystem services to social and economic impacts – really emphasizes why they are such a truly sustainable solution.
I was particularly thinking about what you mentioned regarding management. In your research, did you come across specific management practices or even policies that seem *most* effective at balancing these many diverse benefits simultaneously, especially where there might be trade-offs? And also, looking into the future, which of these benefits do you think is currently most undervalued or underfunded in terms of broader conservation efforts? I’m genuinely curious about your perspective on where the biggest intervention might be needed.
Hello Abby, what a clear-cut and helpful overview of greenhouse gas emissions! It’s really insightful how you concisely covered the various types of gases, their main human-caused sources, and the comprehensive mitigation strategies. I found that breakdown very easy to follow.
I was particularly interested in your note about methane being very potent but relatively short-lived compared to CO2. Do climate mitigation strategies typically differentiate between these gases, maybe prioritizing a swift reduction in CH4 for more immediate atmospheric impact, while focusing on a long-term structural overhaul for CO2 emissions? That seems like an important nuance.
Also, since you touched on natural sinks like oceans and forests, I got curious about the active enhancement side. Beyond just preserving them and preventing deforestation, are there any unique natural resource management practices, perhaps some you’re learning in your studies, that could actively and significantly boost their CO2 absorption capacity? It’s always thought-provoking to consider how nature itself can be a powerful part of the solution.
Really cool study! I like how you implemented the ANOVA we learned about in class to an experiment of your own design. It’s a really important topic to discuss. I wonder if there is already research out on this? And I am curious what specific data you will be analyzing.