Some believe that increasing carbon dioxide is a good thing, in particular for crop growth. Predicting climate change is extremely difficult, however, with something as seemingly simple as cloud behavior causing great differences in future projections. The response of the oceans is also a wild card, as to whether they may offset global warming on the one hand through heat absorption or increased productivity, or make the problem worse through major disruptions in natural ocean circulation patterns. Finally, we will consider various options for decreasing global greenhouse gas emissions. We will study many of the technological approaches, including the use of alternative fuels, use of renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency through such means as hybrid gas-electric automobiles, as well as through reforestation or fertilization of the oceans to increase carbon dioxide uptake by vegetation.
Different options are appropriate in different countries.
During the semester, we will take a field trip to learn more about alternative technologies of energy production, such as solar power or hydroelectricity. These are some of the questions that this course will address. Finally, we will explore the phenomenon of Magic Realism in 20th century Latin American literature and film. The course will include a field trip to Washington, D.C. to view the Precolombian art collection at Dumbarton Oaks, and to visit the Organization of American States and possibly the Brazilian American Cultural Institute. Native speakers of Spanish and Portuguese are welcome to join the class and may read some of the works in their original language, if they wish.