SUSTAINABLE DESIGN CAPSTONE SEMINAR WEEK 5

READING

Simon Lewis and Mark Maslin, The Human Planet: How We Created the Anthropocene (2018): Chapters 7, 9, and 11. (Course text)

SUGGESTED RESPONSE TOPICS

• Discuss the various research methods used in this book in detail. What are the evidence types that the authors use, and do you find them to be sufficient in supporting their arguments? What additional methods might you suggest?

• In Chapter 7, the authors suggest large-scale design strategies for capturing carbon from the atmosphere. Discuss the merits and drawbacks of these proposals.

• What do you make of the argument about the starting point of the Anthropocene in Chapter 9? Using a particular set of criteria, the authors propose a single date at which the earth’s registration of human activity could be seen as a Golden Spike event. Do you agree, or are the alternate options more compelling?

• Chapter 11 includes recommendations for moving forward based on strong evidence that humans have delayed the next glacial period (Ice Age). Summarize these recommendations and add your own.