Recently I adopted an obsession with the environment. I'm actively altering my lifestyle to assure that it is in agreement with the planet. When prompted with a research project, I immediately knew I wanted to investigate something environmental-- something I could point to and show others that our high consumption, fast-paced lifestyles have consequences. I had heard news about the melting of age-old glaciers and decided to begin my internet digging there.
Switzerland stood out because almost half of the country contains the ice covered Alps. The unfamiliarity of Switzerland also intrigued me. I knew next to nothing about the culture-- I didn't even know what language was spoken there. I rolled the dice and went with the exotic country in hopes of developing my knowledge of the region. I had chosen my country, now what? I originally thought the focus of my project would handle investigating the effects of the melting glaciers on the world's water supply. I hit dead end after dead end. No recent articles. No major concerns in that area. It was at this point when I was obligated to turn in my research question. I had nothing. Frustrated, I submitted the broadest question I could create: "How will climate change affect Switzerland?” My instructor recognized that the draft was all too vague, and he turned me towards refining and specifying.
Back to digging. It was evident that I should be looking into the economic effects of climate change based on the suggestions made by my instructor. I searched for basic information regarding the changing climate in Switzerland and whenever an effect was identifiable, I began a separate search on the specifics of that effect. I discovered how instrumental tourism is to the Swiss economy and, from this, I formulated my revised research question and my thesis.
The quality and quantity of research I conducted was impressive; almost all of it pointed to climate change as being negative and dangerous to Switzerland. That result pleased me. That result triggered me. I was gratified, knowing that I was right and my eco-friendly actions were justifiable, but the fact that I was right meant that the planet and country were in trouble. Following my extensive research, the writing of my paper came naturally. I was invested in my topic, and the paper was essentially an invitation for me to rage. I shared my findings with anyone who would listen, and I had developed my paper to the point where its findings could speak for themselves. Happy with the product, after several revisions, I turned it in.
Unfortunately climate change is a globally low-prioritized issue. No further developments since the submission of my paper have been made. This project has heightened my awareness of climate change. I plan to remain up to date with environmental policies and events. I plan to inform others and to take my part in the solution through reducing my carbon footprint.
Switzerland stood out because almost half of the country contains the ice covered Alps. The unfamiliarity of Switzerland also intrigued me. I knew next to nothing about the culture-- I didn't even know what language was spoken there. I rolled the dice and went with the exotic country in hopes of developing my knowledge of the region. I had chosen my country, now what? I originally thought the focus of my project would handle investigating the effects of the melting glaciers on the world's water supply. I hit dead end after dead end. No recent articles. No major concerns in that area. It was at this point when I was obligated to turn in my research question. I had nothing. Frustrated, I submitted the broadest question I could create: "How will climate change affect Switzerland?” My instructor recognized that the draft was all too vague, and he turned me towards refining and specifying.
Back to digging. It was evident that I should be looking into the economic effects of climate change based on the suggestions made by my instructor. I searched for basic information regarding the changing climate in Switzerland and whenever an effect was identifiable, I began a separate search on the specifics of that effect. I discovered how instrumental tourism is to the Swiss economy and, from this, I formulated my revised research question and my thesis.
The quality and quantity of research I conducted was impressive; almost all of it pointed to climate change as being negative and dangerous to Switzerland. That result pleased me. That result triggered me. I was gratified, knowing that I was right and my eco-friendly actions were justifiable, but the fact that I was right meant that the planet and country were in trouble. Following my extensive research, the writing of my paper came naturally. I was invested in my topic, and the paper was essentially an invitation for me to rage. I shared my findings with anyone who would listen, and I had developed my paper to the point where its findings could speak for themselves. Happy with the product, after several revisions, I turned it in.
Unfortunately climate change is a globally low-prioritized issue. No further developments since the submission of my paper have been made. This project has heightened my awareness of climate change. I plan to remain up to date with environmental policies and events. I plan to inform others and to take my part in the solution through reducing my carbon footprint.