Roles

Personal Interests/ Concerns

Research Topics 

Moderators  (2 )

Neutral 

  You are neutral 

• Set the tone for our meeting: Provide some basic background info on what ocean acidification is

You need to answer the following questions: 

• What is causing ocean acidification? How has the pH level of the ocean changed over the past few decades (provide a graph ) 

During the conference: 

• Moderate the conference by asking each side to present their arguments etc

• Question the validity of the sources; ask for clarification when necessary 

Politicians   (5 )

To be swayed 

    You are also deciding on whether there should be a carbon tax across the U.S.     

You need to research: 

• What is a carbon tax? 

• Why are we meeting here today. 

During the conference: 

• take notes and assessing the merits of arguments

• Summarize everything that’s been said and present at the end of the conference. 

• Decide whether there should be a carbon tax or no carbon tax 

Coral  

Support carbon tax 

Coral reefs are important habitats for many different animals, some of which are commercially important (fish, shellfish, etc.) 

Why are you supporting carbon tax: 

• Why is coral important; what roles do corals play  

• How is coral being affected (explain what bleaching is)

• Where is coral most affected 

Bivalves 

Support carbon tax 

Bivalves are mollusks with two shells, such as oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops.

Why are you supporting carbon tax: 

• What roles do bivalves play in ocean (why are they important); why are bivalves important 

• How are bivalves being affected 

        Crustaceans

(Support carbon tax)

There are animals with jointed appendages and an exoskeleton, such as lobster, crab, shrimp, and krill.

Why are you supporting the carbon tax:  

• What roles do crustaceans play in ocean (why are they important); why are crustaceans important 

• How are crustaceans being affected 

Fishing industry  

(Support carbon tax )

You are the fishermen (and/or fisherwomen, and their families) who make a living fishing from the sea. Your catch includes

not only fish, but other marine animals typically eaten, such as oysters, clams, shrimp, lobster, squid, etc.

Why are you supporting the carbon tax:  

• Economic impact

• Jobs 

• How is ocean acidification affecting the fishing industry

• How many people rely on fish/ shellfish as a source of protein 

Nonrenewable Energy company 

(Against carbon tax )

You are the voice of the energy companies. This includes only energy from nonrenewable resources (such as coal and oil). 

Why are you against the carbon tax: 

• What are some of the cons of renewable energies

• Jobs/ economic impact 

• How reliant are we on coal? How much electricity comes from coal in the U.S and in the world ? 

• Advantages of using coal as a source of energy 

• What is nonrenewable energy doing to the environment? 

•  

Renewable energy company 

(Support carbon tax) 

You are the voice of the renewable energy companies such as solar, wind and nuclear 

Why are you supporting carbon tax: 

• What are some of the cons of non- renewable energies

• Jobs/ economic impact 

• Advantages of using renewable energy  as a source of energy 

• How does switching to renewable energy help with ocean acidification 

Representatives from the transportation industry  

(Against carbon tax )

You are the voice of the transportation industry. This includes trucking, railroads, boating and shipping, recreational vehicles,

public transportation, private transportation, etc.

• How much greenhouses come from transportation that uses fossil fuels? 

• Why is transportation important for the Economy?

• Should we switch to alternative fuels? What are the pros and cons of doing that? What are some reasons that some companies might be reluctant to switch to cleaner energy? 

An alarmed global citizen

(Support carbon tax ) 

You are convinced of the reality and seriousness of climate change and are already taking individual, consumer, and political action to address it.

Why are you supporting carbon tax: 

• How are global warming and ocean acidification intertwined? 

• How might ocean acidification affect our future generations? Should we be worried about it?  

• Share the reasons that made you already taking individual actions to address it and what are some of the actions you are taking to address global warming 

A disengaged, doubtful citizen 

(Against carbon tax)

You think that global warming and ocean acidification are conspiracy theories, and no action needs to be taken to address it.

• Why do some people believe it’s a conspiracy theory? What are some of the theories out there that made people not believe in global warming or ocean acidification? 

• In what ways might carbon tax affect you? 

Jeff Bezos 

(You decide)

You are the founder of Amazon, an American multinational technology company which focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. 

Put yourself into Jeff Bezos’ shoes. What might be his view on carbon tax? What might be some of the reasons?  (Would he benefit from carbon tax or be hurt from it)?  Use statistics and research to back up! 

Scuba diver 

(Support carbon tax )

You are a scuba diver living in Puerto Rico. You benefit from tourists coming over for Scuba diving. 

• How might ocean acidification affect scuba diving across the globe? 

• How might ocean acidification affect tourism and local economies of tourism sites? 

Elon Musk 

(You decide)

You are someone who’s revolutionizing transportation both on Earth, through electric car maker Tesla -- and in space, via rocket producer SpaceX

Put yourself into Elon Musk’s shoes. What might be his view on carbon tax? What might be some of the reasons?  (Would he benefit from carbon tax or be hurt from it)?  Why are countries all over the world willing to subsidize Tesla? Use statistics and research to back up! 

Patrick Moore 

(Against Carbon tax )

You are a climate skeptic who published a book named Fake Invisible Catastrophes and Threats of Doom

• What are some of Patrick Moore’s views? Why is he called a climate skeptic?  What might he say at the conference? 

Sallie Baliunas

(against carbon tax )

You are a retired astrophysicist, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Look up Sallie Baliunas to see what are some of the reasons she might be against carbon tax. What’s her view on global warming? 

You can make up your own role and which side you want to choose from. You can be yourself. 

Research on how carbon tax might be good or bad? Which side do you agree with more? Explain your reasoning