Environment and Sustainability Group
Group Members
Research Assignments

Group Members

Cordinators	Nicole Chorney Stanford U.	Andrew Gines Stanford U.	Haruka Ikeda Doshisha U.
Participants	Hiromi Hayashi Keio U.	Saho Kobayashi Waseda U.	Avis Lai National Chengchi U.
	Megumi Shibazaki Keio U.	Miho Someya Doshisha U.	Hirotsugu Takayama Chuo U.
	Mindy Tsai Yuan Ze U.	Monica Wang Lingnan U.

Research Assignments and Session Topics

Overview of Research Assignment:

• Familiarize participants with environmental issues in their own country.
• Enrich AUSL discussions by giving participants greater ability to compare and contrast how different countries address environmental issues.
• Prepare participants for their final project.

Research Schedule:

May-July: Independent research
July 27:  Email Bina (bina@viaprograms.org) your research paper.
August:  You will share your research for assignment 2 with the rest of your group and the group will compare your research to the topics discussed in the discussion session (this is not a presentation). You will have about 10-15 minutes to share your research.

Assignment #1: Please answer these questions about the environment in your country:

• What are the major sources of carbon dioxide emissions in your country? Does your country support the Kyoto protocol?
• Which major resources does your country rely on for energy? Try to make a list of the top 5 if you can. Are these energy resources mostly imported?
• Name the predominant agricultural regions in your country? Where does all the excess fertilizers and runoff from those farms end up?
• Where does most of your nation’s drinking water come from? How does your country regulate contaminant levels in your drinking water?

Assignment #2: Agriculture

• Name the top agricultural crops consumed in your nation? Are these crops mostly imported or locally grown?
• Is there a large effort to buy locally grown crops over imported ones? Is there a large effort to raise and purchase organic crops and meats?
• Name the types of fertilizers and pesticides being used by farmers in your country. What are the active chemicals and ingredients in those fertilizers and pesticides?
• Is the runoff from major farming regions in your country contributing to red tides or oceanic dead zones in nearby coastal regions?
• What major threats, if any, are farmers facing in the event of higher global temperatures?

Assigment #2: Climate & Air Polution

• Are there currently any active laws governing and limiting your nation’s air pollutant levels? How are these laws being enforced?
• What are the major threats your country faces in event of increased global temperatures? Which regions will be most affect and why?
• Is there a high level of awareness of global warming in your country? Are there any local, regional or national movements or efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions currently taking place?
• Are biofuels being used or offered as an alternative source of gasoline?
• Calculate your own personal carbon footprint. You can do this by visiting the website http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx. Research some ways you can personally reduce your carbon footprint.

Assignment #2: Fresh Water

• Name, if any, all potential sources of groundwater contamination/ pollution.
• Have the water levels in the freshwater reservoirs supplying drinking water to your nation been low in recent years? How does the possibility of higher global temperatures affect the freshwater reservoirs in your nation?
• Briefly describe your nation’s wastewater treatment plan. Have sewage spills into ocean or freshwater ever been a concern?
• Has there been an effort or movement to install water saving appliances and products in homes and businesses, such as low-flow toilets and showers?
• Name as many water saving appliances as you can that are currently being sold in your nation.
• Name the top 10 ways majority of the population in your country tries to conserve water.

Assignment #2: Energy

• Has or will your country ever face a potential energy shortage?
• Are there any major efforts or movements towards adopting renewable energy resources taking place? If so, name the various types (i.e. wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, etc) and organizations or research initiatives involved.
• Are electric and hybrid cars being sold or manufactured in your country? Are they popular?
• Are there any “green” building rating systems currently in existence in your country? Is there an effort or movement to construct new homes and buildings with better insulation and lighting systems that are more energy efficient?