Earth Day Poster Project

On 22 April 1970, Earth Day was set aside to focus on various environmental problems and solutions. Since the first Earth Day, we have solved some environmental problems, but have created or intensified others. So that we may focus the attention of everyone here at Clermont College on the problems that still need to be solved, you are asked to do the following project, for which you will receive a maximum of 50 points. These posters will be displayed in the hallway outside the biology lab so that all who pass by during the week of Earth Day may read them. They will be returned after several weeks of display. The assignment is to:

1. pick a topic of ecological concern (for example, things like styrofoam/ozone hole, disposable diapers, pesticides and/or other chemicals, sewage treatment/water quality, solid waste disposal, recycling, and/or composting, endangered species/backyard wildlife sanctuaries, packaging at grocery stores, genetically-engineered crops, etc., etc.),
2. do library research on your chosen topic (Some, but not all, of your sources may be Web pages. However, since anybody can put anything on the Web, you must be very critical and choose only “legitimate” sources.), and
3. prepare an attractive poster which includes the title of your poster, your name (visible on the front), an attached one page, typed description of the problem you researched, an attached one page, typed proposal for a solution to the problem (It is strongly urged that this solution be some practical thing that you, your readers, and I can do to solve the problem, not something for someone-out-there.), supporting data, tables, and/or graphs (While cute pictures may make your poster more attractive, they are not supportive data.), and an attached, typed list of at least four, legitimate references you used. Including direct quotes, charts, graphs, etc., without citing your sources and/or using more than small, direct quotes from those sources is plagiarism! Note further requirements listed on the sample gradesheet. 10% per day will be deducted for a late poster.

Dr. Fankhauser has come up with a list of possible topics. It is not mandatory that you choose from this list, so if you have another, good idea that you’d like to develop, you may do so. However, if you’re “stuck” and can’t think of ideas, perhaps these will get you going.

• America’s Oil Addiction
• Alternatives to the Automobile
• The Population Explosion
• Preserving Green Space in Clermont County
• Effects of Sewage on Our Waterways
• The Case for Returnable Bottles
• European Solutions to Excess Packaging
• Drilling in the Arctic Refuge
• Nuclear Power and the Problem of Its Waste
• Computers Are Hazardous Waste
• Effects of Ohio Valley Coal-Fired Plants on Our Air
• Sustainable Energy Sources
• Solar Power in the Midwest
• Genetically-Engineered Foods
• Drugs in Our Drinking Water
• Endangered Species in SW Ohio
• Dwindling Tropical Rain Forests
• Antibiotics in Our Food Supply
• Alternatives to More Parking Lots at Clermont College
• Returning Wildlife in Clermont County: Beavers, Coyotes, Mink, Deer, [Turkeys]
• Solutions to the Population Explosion of Deer
• Environmental Effects of Eating a Meat Versus a Vegetarian Diet

... and a few more I thought of:

• Unintended Effects of Pesticides and/or Herbicides on Non-Target Species
• Environmental Effects of Organic Versus Conventionally-Grown Food Crops
• Pros and Cons of Insects as a Food Source
• Environmental Effects of Hemp Versus Pine as a Source of Paper
• Comparison of Environmental Effects of Conventionally-Grown Cotton vs. Organically-Grown Cotton vs. Hemp vs. Polyester (and/or Other Synthetic Fabrics) vs. Silk vs. Wool vs.....
• Environmental Effects of Various Types of Lumber: Teak, Plantation Teak, Redwood, Pine, ...
• Environmental Effects of Wood Versus Plastic Musical Instruments (Clarinets, Recorders, etc.)
• Problems Associated with Invasive, Competitive, Non-Native Plants Frequently Used as Ornamentals: Wahoo (Euonymus), Multiflora Rose, Garlic Mustard, Amur Honeysuckle, etc.
• Effects of Forest Destruction on Nest Parasitism by Cowbirds
• Monoculture (Corn, Grass Lawns) Versus Biodiversity
• Environmental Effects of Light Pollution in Cities
• Xeriscaping and Water Conservation
• Alternative Means of Termite Control (Hormones Mimics, etc. vs. Chlordane)
• Effects of Xeno-Estrogens and Phyto-Estrogens on Humans and/or Wildlife
• Environmental Consequences of Asian Ladybird Beetles Outcompeting Native Species
• Effects of Pesticides Associated with Banana or Coffee Crop Production
• Sustainable Birdwing Butterfly Farming in Papua-New Guinea