Include this rubric.

Points
Library Research Works Cited Page
/20
- APA style; relevant content; college-level sources; websites not allowed
sources must be articles, books, or documents.
Presentation
- Participation All members participating
/5
- Visual Media Visuals simple, clear and easy to understand; tie in well
/10
with oral material
- Presentation Includes conclusions and evidence supporting them;
/20
controversial opinions explained; ties in at least two earth science spheres
Final Report - Three-page research paper
- Content Well written; includes abstract; demonstrates literature research;
/20
appropriate citations of at least five sources
- Writing style - Research report style that is objective, cites references, and
/20
is concise, direct, organized, and structured. Will be free of grammatical
and spelling errors. Topic sentences for each paragraph, all sentences in
paragraphs relate to main point of paragraph.
- In-Text Citations: Followed in-text citation procedures for APA correctly.
/5
Total Points /100

Grading Rubric Total Points: 100

Geology Research paper.

Pollutions effects around the world
Adrian Ulibarri
Geology 1010-004-Sp15
4/26/2015

Abstract
This report focuses on the major issues related to pollution of our air and
oceans and the damaging effects that its having on marine eco systems, weather,
agriculture, and pollution related illnesses.

Pollution and climate change are some of the most critical issues facing our
world today. Together they threaten to wipe out entire ecosystems and bring about

mass extinctions of plants and animals that cannot adapt to the rapidly changing
environment in time. It also threatens fundamental changes to humanitys way of
life and even poses an increased risk for severe illnesses such as cancer.
As human beings continue to burn fossil fuels as a primary means of
energizing our civilizations we are altering the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and
geosphere, and in many cases the biosphere as well. With an increase in CO2 in our
atmosphere and hydrosphere we are creating far reaching changes to the
environments that many ecosystems depend on. Changes ranging from oxygen
content to acidification of our oceans. These changes are having negative impacts
on the oceans ecosystems. The increased ocean temperatures and water acidity is
pushing many past to their limit to adapt. These changes are diminishing marine
populations around the world. However, fossil fuels are only a portion of the
problem attacking marine life in our oceans. Intrusive fertilizers and chemicals are
also finding their way into marine habitats, changing the chemical composition of
the water and leading problems to costal hypoxia which is diminished oxygen
content in the water (Doney et al., 2012).
Climate change is believed to already be effecting us today. However, most
people dont believe that their actions effect the climate until they have witnesses
the effects of climate change first hand. A recent study in the UK showed flooding
had increased in recent years as global climates changed, however, only people
who had experienced a flood were more inclined to believe that their actions has an
effect on the climate. This led them to make conscious decisions towards energy
conservation and a reduction in fossil fuel use. Only when the threat to our lives is
imminent and immediate are people prepared to reduce their amount of energy

consumption and lessen their impact on climate change (Spence, Poortinga, Butler,
& Pidgeon, 2011).

Climate change is also having an agricultural impact. As climate changes

around the world and the planet warms the plants that are most suited to colder
environments are receding while plants that prefer warm environments are
increasing in number (Gottfried et al., 2012). This will have far reaching implications
on crop yields around the world as climates conducive to the cultivation of certain
crops move towards the poles.
Pollution also leads to increased health risks. People who live in areas where
air pollution is more prevalent or spend more time in congested areas in or around
traffic are at an increased risk for lung cancer (Loomis et al., 2014).
The disposal of physical waste is also an issue that we must consider when
looking at the effects of pollution. Our oceans are slowly being filled with physical
waste referred to as Marine debris. Of this waste about 30% of it floats on the
surface while the remaining 70% sinks (McIlgorm, 2014). The garbage that floats on
the surface eventually accumulates into patches of floating debris referred to as
oceanic garbage hotspots. These garbage hotspots have extremely damaging
effects on local wild life and eco systems.
In conclusion, pollution has far reaching implications that many people dont
understand or see. We all share this planet and as such we are all equally
responsible for preserving and maintaining it so that we can all continue to coexist
with the ecosystem in this beautiful world for generations to come.

Works Cited
Doney, S. C., Ruckelshaus, M., Emmett Duffy, J., Barry, J. P., Chan, F., English, C. A.,
others. (2012). Climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. Annual
Review of Marine Science, 4, 1137.
Gottfried, M., Pauli, H., Futschik, A., Akhalkatsi, M., Baranok, P., Alonso, J. L. B.,
others. (2012). Continent-wide response of mountain vegetation to climate
change. Nature Climate Change, 2(2), 111115.
Loomis, D., Grosse, Y., Lauby-Secretan, B., Ghissassi, F. E., Bouvard, V.,
Benbrahim-Tallaa, L., Straif, K. (2014). IARC evaluation of the
carcinogenicity of outdoor air pollution. Environnement, Risques & Sant,
13(4), 347352. http://doi.org/10.1684/ers.2014.0715
McIlgorm, A. (2014). Whose job is it to clear up all the rubbish floating in the
oceans? Retrieved from http://ro.uow.edu.au/lhapapers/1539/
Spence, A., Poortinga, W., Butler, C., & Pidgeon, N. F. (2011). Perceptions of climate
change and willingness to save energy related to flood experience. Nature
Climate Change, 1(1), 4649.