1. Copyright © 2015 University of Maryland. This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch. 1 HONR 229L: Climate Change: Science, Economics, and Governance Roadmaps for Success or Failure Your name here ?? September 2015

2. Copyright © 2015 University of Maryland. This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch. 2 Describe the four “road map of factors contributing to failures of group decision making” outlined at the start of Chapter 14 Consider giving an example for each of these factors from the book, and providing another example, of your own, for each of these four based on modern society Be sure to ask the class to provide their own examples

3. Copyright © 2015 University of Maryland. This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch. 3 Diamond states “the commonest circumstance under which societies fail to perceive a problem is when it takes the form of a slow trend concealed by wide up-and-down fluctuations” Prepare a few slides on this matter, using global warming (can rely on info in the reading for this *or* can supplement with your own info) as well as any other examples you’d like to use (i.e., can use Rapa Nui and/or Maya, can use other modern examples … whatever you’d like!) Should also be able to elicit discussion here

4. Copyright © 2015 University of Maryland. This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch. 4 Diamond uses the terms “tragedy of the commons” and “crowd psychology” Briefly describe these terms and provide a few examples, drawn from the book (or history) as well as from your own personal experience.. yet again a great discussion point!

5. Copyright © 2015 University of Maryland. This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch. 5 On the top of page 430, Diamond writes “clashes of interest involving irrational behavior are also prone to arise when the principal consumer has no long-term stake in preserving the resource but society as a whole does” (my emphasis, of course) We could spend the whole discussion on this phrase Prepare a slide that gives this phrase, then list some real world, modern examples of this type of “clash” Try to get the class to focus on how society can overcome these types of conflicts

6. Copyright © 2015 University of Maryland. This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch. 6 In the middle of a paragraph on page 437, Diamond writes about the Dusky Seaside Sparrow of Florida Relate the sad story of the Dusky Seaside Sparrow to what might happen to modern society, if action is not taken soon to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Feel free to work the concept sunk-cost effect, define top of page 432, into your description

7. Copyright © 2015 University of Maryland. This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch. 7 Provide two examples where the rational behavior on the part of one group could translate into disastrous situation for society: 1) one example from the book 2) another example from your real world experience (or understanding of modern events)

8. Copyright © 2015 University of Maryland. This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch. 8 Provide two examples of a society's successful solution of a vexing problem: 1) one drawn from this chapter (or prior chapters) 2) another drawn from your own experience (or understanding of history) and state the key decision essential for the society to overcome the problem.

9. Copyright © 2015 University of Maryland. This material may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without written permission from Ross Salawitch. 9