Elizabeth Kay

Professor Malcolm Campbell

English 1103
September 28th, 2016
Topic Proposal: Global Warming May Kill Us Before It Kills the Earth
Introduction/Overview
Everyone is aware of global warming, whether they actually believe in it or not. When most
people think of global warming, they picture the poor little polar bears floating away from their
mothers on mostly melted ice bergs and dreadful summers with record-breaking temperatures.

Comment [1]: great way to address this sort

of counter-argument

What many fail to consider is the effect that global warming will have on humans, besides the

Comment [2]: I'd actually have to disagree,

this seems a bit like you're diminishing your
audience to me, and doesn't quite get the
"humor" across. I wouldn't say the second
sentence should have "poor little polar bears" in
it if that makes any sense...

fact that we may not have a habitable planet pretty soon. Global warming poses serious
implications to our health, both physically and mentally.
Primarily, global warming has changed the climates of many regions, facilitating the spread of
vector-borne illnesses. The mosquito is one example of these vectors. Mosquitos thrive in warm

Comment [3]: seems a little informal. Maybe

say "fact that soon we.." or "fact that we may
soon not.."

Comment [4]: I would introduce the VBD

acronym here

climates, acting as transport vessels, or vectors, for various diseases (dengue, zika, chikungunya,
and malaria to name a few) which are then transmitted to humans through bites. With the onset
of global warming, many regions of the world formerly immune to the ravages of mosquitoborne illnesses thanks to colder climates are now finding themselves with an increasing number
of cases of mosquito-borne illness. This is supported as the Center for Science Education
explains In general, climate plays an important role in the seasonal pattern or temporal
distribution of diseases that are carried and transmitted through vectors because the vector
animals often thrive in particular climate conditions. For example, warm and wet environments
are excellent places for mosquitoes to breed. If those breeding mosquitoes happen to be a species

Comment [5]: This quote introduction seems

a little jumbled.

that can transmit disease and if there is an infected population in the region, then the disease is
more likely to spread in that area. So, as the climate of many areas around the world warm, they
will become perfect breeding grounds for mosquitos. Whats more, increases in temperature in

Comment [6]: Conjunctions aren't typically

used in academic writing.

the past have been known to spread mosquito borne diseases in places that would otherwise

Comment [7]: I would put a hyphen here to

make it "mosquito-borne," but I think it is
grammatically correct both ways.

remain untouched, as one NCBI scientist notes, Since 1990 [...] when the hottest decade on
record began, outbreaks of locally transmitted malaria have occurred during hot spells in Texas,
Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey and New York as well as in Toronto. History has thus
proven that the worst VBDs that we all thought were in faraway, tropical places, could very well
make their way to our own homes. The World Health Organization has stated Numerous
climate change vulnerability assessments anticipate that rising global temperatures will increase

Comment [8]: I would have stated vectorborne diseases before using the acronym for
the first time. It also does not require an
apostrophe.
Comment [9]: This sentence seems to be
worded weirdly near the acronym, and can be
difficult to follow if read only once.

the incidence of communicable diseases including vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Transmitted by

bites from infected mosquitoes and other insects (vectors). This is a very ominous statement for
the health and well-being of the human population. People in regions that have never known the
perils of mosquito-borne illnesses and are thus ill-equip to diagnose and treat individuals with

Comment [10]: I would change the end of this

sentence and add one that says something
along the lines of "this but one of many
examples of possible threats..."

those illnesses are going to be the most at risk. Parts of the US, Europe, and Asia will be among
the most vulnerable areas.
Other, less frequently thought of, effects of global warming come in the form of increased
environmental allergies and emotional upheaval due to the rise in natural disasters brought on by
climate change. I had never really thought about the implications of climate change on the
amount of pollen produced by trees until I began researching it. Apparently, trees produce more
pollen when there are higher temperatures, meaning that, as global warming progresses and
intensifies, trees are set to produce more and more pollen each year. This wouldnt be as much of
a health hazard if so many people werent severely allergic to tree pollen, causing everything

Comment [11]: I wasn't aware of this either,

and this is a concern of mine past VBDs. I have
very bad allergies as it is. I'm glad you plan to
include this is your essay.

from watery eyes to breathing problems. In Jackson, Mississippi, which was deemed Americas
Allergy Capital in 2015, a local allergist, Dr. Gailen Marshall, notes that Over the past
decade, climate change has made my patients wheezing and sneezing steadily worse. Existing
patients rush to visit me, and new ones flood through my door. Although this is an extreme case
of what temperature fluctuation has on the production of tree pollen, as the climate changes
associated with global warming intensify, this phenomenon could become widespread over the
entire country. As for natural disasters, it is expected that their occurrence will only increase in
the coming years due to global warming. NASA has stated that according to the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
will probably boost temperatures over most land surfaces, though the exact change will vary
regionally. More uncertainbut possibleoutcomes of an increase in global temperatures
include increased risk of drought and increased intensity of storms, including tropical cyclones
with higher wind speeds, a wetter Asian monsoon, and, possibly, more intense mid-latitude
storms. The increase in both intensity and occurrence of these natural disasters could very well
cause serious emotional distress in victims of the storms. A 2009 report from the American
Psychological Association predicts that "Heat, extreme weather events, and increased
competition for scarce environmental resourcescompounded by pre-existing inequalities and
disproportionate impacts among groups and nationswill affect interpersonal and intergroup
behavior and may result in increased stress and anxiety. It is blatantly clear that there is more at
risk than just the health of the environment due to global warming.
My goal in researching this topic is to obtain information on how global warming will affect the
health of humans as we enter into a much warmer day and age. I can choose to research
specifically the increase in vector-borne illness, the effects that the insurgence of natural

Comment [12]: I like the addition of this point,

and I wish you could explore it more deeply, but
I know that is not the main idea of your essay.
The idea that everything is interconnected
fascinates me, though. Global warming is going
to amplify differences between social classes,
and will possibly decrease social mobility for
those in poverty even more than today.

disasters caused by global have had on peoples mental health, or the ways in air pollution has/is

Comment [13]: peoples is not a word.

"People's" is just fine.

going to continue to effect human health. With whatever specific area I end up researching, I

Comment [14]: affect.

hope to educate others about what they can expect health-wise in the coming years due to global
warming and widespread climate change. With my research, I would like to make it abundantly
clear that the health of the earth is not the only thing in peril as a result of global warming; we
are too.
In this section, please define the topic that interests you. Address the following information: Give
an overview of the topic by answering the five Ws: Who? What? Where? When? Why? Help
your reader understand the big picture information about your subject. Be specific. Usually, most
students present their first topic ideas as too broad.
Instead of writing, I will be doing my project on Facebook, try: I will be examining the
potential increased risk of clinical depression amongst teens who are heavy users of Facebook.
See how being more specific will create a focused topic AND make your work easier? Once you
announce your topic, give the overview. While time spent on Facebook might appear harmless,
a recent study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte suggests that teens who spend
more than 20 hours a week on the popular social network are 85 percent more likely to suffer
clinical depression. According to lead study author, Malcumbr Campbelloni, the findings are
important. We no wanna have people be sad when zey could be appy, he says. But
Campbelloni may have detractors within his own university.
This man is nuts, says Chancellor James Hardin. Im not sure how he got a job here, but rest
assured, Ill look into it tomorrow or Friday.
Share what specific research you did to learn more about your topic? What specific websites did
you use? Did you find a book or magazine article that helped? Did you use the librarys

Comment [15]: This sentence is trying to tell

the reader something very dramatic, but the
words make it seem a little dull. I would try to
add some impact.
Comment [16]: This is one HELL of a section!
So much awesome info!

databases to find more in-depth publications (scholarly or academic journals) that cover the
topic? Did you seek a librarians help? Did you talk about the topic with your peers, parents, or
co-workers? Did you ask initial questions of anyone involved in the field/topic? Did this process
lead you to a more focused understanding of your initial idea?
Describe the complexity of your topic. In other words, summarize what different positions or
opinions people have about the topic? (If everyone agrees about your topic, then it may not be
complex enough to support a semesters worth of research. For example, a topic like: You can
send pictures on Snapchat aint gonna go far.) Who are the major different groups/individuals
contributing to the conversations and where do they have some of these conversations? List
publications, websites, conferences, broadcast channels, etc.
For this assignment, you DO NOT have to use MLA in-text parenthetical citation OR a Works
Cited; however, I do want you to name specific sources for any information you use.

Initial Inquiry Question(s)

What areas are going to experience the most severe impact to human health due to global
warming?
Will there be more money and effort invested in devising ways to eradicate mosquitos and other
vectors for disease in the coming years?
What will the human population look like in 50 years after more VBDs have taken hold across
the globe? Will natural selection determine the future population in that those who are
genetically less likely to acquire/be more effected by VBDs be the ones to survive while others
perish?

Comment [17]: I would specify what kind of

areas. Initially I wasn't thinking geographically.

Do public health organizations have plans in place right now in preparation for an increase in
VBDs? If so, what are those plans and what do they think will be most effective in combating
the spread of VBDs?
How will the public cope with the emergence of once-foreign pathogens and diseases? Will some
refuse any available treatments as some people do now with other diseases? What will the ethical

Comment [18]: How exactly does global

climate change introduce new diseases? Or is it
just people have higher chance of bringing it
back from 3rd world countries?

views of the general population be regarding possible treatments for VBDs at that time?
How quickly will VBDs spread throughout the world? Are certain people/cultures/ethnic groups
more vulnerable to disease than others?
How will the global shift in human health effect foreign policy and trade between countries?
Will nations reduce/stop trading in fear of further spread of disease?
In this section, do your best to state one initial inquiry question. Examples: Do frequent users of
Facebook run a heightened risk of depression? Or, does the U.S. need to be concerned about
ISIS? Or, does Twitter/texting/Snapchat affect my ability to communicate complex thoughts or is
it causing me to think more simply? Or, why dont more college professors use technology that
their students are using if they wish to understand us better? Or, how do genetically modified
foods affect the bodys immune systems?
It is fine to list several questions you have at this time, but think through which question most
intrigues you now. Pose one, and in the section below, Next Steps, you can elaborate on other
areas of inquiry you may pursue. Chances are, you will.

My Interest in this Topic

I became very interested in this topic back in my junior year of high school. In one of my
healthcare classes, we were instructed to pick a global health issue and research it. When I saw
everyone choosing the normal illnesses like tuberculosis, MRSA, leprosy, and HIV/AIDS, I

Comment [19]: Just an interesting extra

question: How will climate change effect the
development of technology?

wanted to do something different. Since I had always had an interest in global warming and the
health of the environment, I thought of doing something along the lines of climate change. Then
I remembered all of the stories my mom had told me while I was growing up about her many
experiences with dengue fever while growing up in the tropics. After that, I looked dengue up to
see how it was transmitted and, sure enough, it was through the bite of a mosquito. A lightbulb
went off and I wondered if climate change would have any projected impact on the prevalence of
dengue in the coming years. When I proposed my topic to my teacher, she was incredulous about
global warming having any impact on the spread of dengue, or any other VBD for that matter.
After taking a while to explain to her my theory and showing her multiple articles from

Comment [20]: Is this your theory, or a theory

you learned about from reading information?

government websites that supported my claim, she agreed to let me research it. The amount of
effort that I had to put forth to get her approval only added to the excitement of my research. It is
part of the reason that it excites me now. When I was doing the project in high school, I realized
how many people had never connected global warming to the spread of VBDs, which is also
why I am so motivated to research the topic and bring some light to it. In this way, I can provide
people with a greater understanding of what to expect with global warming.
Explain why youre interested in researching this subject. What is its significance to you? Use
various prompts for freewriting like, Im interested in ______ because______ until you
generate some potentially meaningful answers. (You might also decide you need another topic
that you have more interest in.) The most successful EIPs are most often by students who have
some form of personal connection to the topic. Be forewarned: If you THINK youll be happy as
an accountant, so you THINK this connection will help you select a topic for the semester based
on your major, please THINK again. Also, answer these questions about your interest in your
topic:

Comment [21]: I love to read the anecdotes

that spark the interest, and I am really excited to
read some of these final papers. Your topic is
something I have never considered, and as
someone who wants to spread awareness
about environmental changes, I think this is
going to be an interesting read.

1. What do you already know?

2. What do you hope to learn?

Next Steps
In the coming months, I plan to continue my research on the effect climate change is expected to
have on the spread of VBDs. I will turn to the websites of various government based and
scientifically credible sources. I will search for studies that have been done in recent years that
might show how VBDs have spread due to the climate change that has already taken place. I
will make sure to utilize as many resources provided by the university as possible, including free
magazine subscriptions, guidance from the librarians, and the vast databases made available to

Comment [22]: Just make sure you choose

credible magazines and articles

students.

Comment [23]: This section seems a bit

vague. I'd add some DIRECT sources, specific
magazines and websites, you know?

In this last section, state where you will go next to find more research on your topic. Rather than
stating, I will use the Internet (too broad), write, I will be visiting Facebooks corporate PR
page for statistics and various privacy watchdog websites for balance, plus examining such
reliable journalistic sources as The New York Times (and other papers), Wired magazines
website, and the librarys database to search for peer-reviewed sources that cover the issues.
Remember that, through the library, you have access to just about every major newspaper,
magazine, and academic journal on the planet. We will visit the library to learn more; however,
you would be wise to go to the library and ask for help from the FREE reference librarians (ask
the information desk right up front where to find them). They are paid to help students find
sources for assignments just like this one. For free.