Question description
Overview
Most current energy needs are met through the burning of fossil fuels that produce CO2 in the process. The use of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum) is so ubiquitous we do not even think about it. The food we eat is farmed by tractors, harvested by combines, and then transported by trucks. Our electricity is generated predominately from burning coal or natural gas. In every facet of our lives, we utilize fossil fuels, or others do on our behalf, to produce the goods we purchase. The “carbon footprint” (i.e., the amount of CO2 emitted in tons per year) for the average American is more than 20 tons! For the Research Paper, you will examine your daily routine and determine the CO2 that you generate as a result.
Requirements
Write the paper in executive summary format:
- APA format.
- ~700 words (not counting bibliography or appendix; add tables and figures as an appendix).
- Double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins.
Be succinct! Brevity is important, but completeness of your analysis is not excused by the word requirement.
Cite facts. Do not simply offer unsupported opinion. Indicate how you know the CO2 levels for the sources producing it in your life. Cite sources of this information in the text, and include each reference in the bibliography.
Do not plagiarize. Use your own words. Do not quote directly. Summarize the source in your own words.
Ideas are the most important. You will be graded on how well you defend your carbon footprint estimate. How complete an analysis do you present? It is not important that you do or do not generate much CO2 for this assignment; however, if you do not, you must explain how you are avoiding doing so. Be sure to give all specifics for your calculations.
You must include a bibliography. On a separate page following your narrative, list your sources in APA style in the order cited in your paper. Papers without a bibliography will not be accepted (and are plagiarism, anyway).
Use the best sources. Peer-reviewed sources provide the best information. Books must be approved by publishers, magazine and newspaper articles are reviewed by editors, and scientific journal articles are reviewed by panels of scientists before the article in question is printed. Be aware that this is not true of the Internet!
Submit the paper to the Dropbox no later than Module 7 Sunday 11:59 PM EST/EDT. (This Dropbox basket is linked to Turnitin.)
Grading
The paper will be graded based on the rubric on the following:
Grading Rubric Criteria
/20 Format
/20 Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, Sentence Structure and Verbal Clarity
/20 Citations
/20 Technical Content
/20 Presentation of Analysis and Accuracy of Information
/100 Total
Format
0-11: Did not follow the required format
12-13: Followed the required format with many exceptions
14-15: Followed the required format with some exceptions
16-17: Followed the required format with few exceptions
18-20: Followed the required format with no exceptions
Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, Sentence Structure and Verbal Clarity
0-11: Did not use correct grammar, verb tense, punctuation, and spelling
12-13: Seldom used correct grammar, verb tense, punctuation, and spelling
14-15: Used correct grammar, verb tense, punctuation, and spelling with some exceptions
16-17: Used correct grammar, verb tense, punctuation, and spelling with few exceptions
18-20: Always used correct grammar, verb tense, punctuation, and spelling
Citations
0-11: Information was not cited appropriately with print sources
12-13: Information was sometimes cited appropriately or no print sources
14-15: Information was sometimes cited appropriately with at least one print source
16-17: Information was usually cited appropriately with at least one print source
18-20: All information was cited appropriately with at least one print source
Technical Content
0-11: Technical details were incorrect
12-13: Technical details were correct with many exceptions
14-15: Technical details were correct with some exceptions
16-17: Technical details were correct with few exceptions
18-20: Technical details were completely correct
Presentation of Analysis and Accuracy of Information
0-11: Analysis and information were incorrect
12-13: Analysis and information were not usually correct
14-15: Analysis and information were correct with some exceptions
16-17: Analysis and information were mostly correct
18-20: Analysis was flawless and information accurate
Total Points: ___ / 100
