Decline of Rural America
After viewing the required video for this discussion, pick one of the following overlapping issues
highlighted in this week’s readings to discuss:
a.How does the corporatization of farming affect all Americans, not just those living in rural areas?
What can you do about this?
b.What is brain drain and what are its long-reaching effects on rural communities? Be sure to include
the terms stayers and achievers in your discussion. How could the community leaders make staying more
attractive than leaving?
c.Describe the positive and negative impacts of the growth of mega-cities. Will moving back to the
country solve the social problems created by our move to the urban areas?
1.National Geographic. (n.d.). Global warming 101 [Video]. Retrieved from
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/environment/global-warming-environment/global-warming-101/
(In order to complete this week’s discussion, “Causes and Impact of Global Warming,” watch this video
that introduces the notion of global warming.) For an alternate accessible resource, please review the
following resources:
◦National Geographic. (n.d.). Effects of global warming. Retrieved from
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-effects/ ◾This website discusses
some of the effects we are currently seeing due to rising temperatures, as well as some of the
consequences we will likely experience in the future.
◦National Geographic. (n.d.). Global warming effects map. Retrieved from
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-impacts-interactive/ ◾This
website provides an interactive map where you can explore some of the likely scenarios if global
warming continues, such as severe weather, species decline, and water shortages.
◦National Geographic. (n.d.). What is global warming. Retrieved from:
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview/ ◾This website provides
an overview of what researchers mean when they talk about global warming.
2.New Atlantis. (2007). Great cities: Rise of the megalopolis [Video]. Retrieved from the Films on
Demand database.
1.National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (n.d.). Climate Change: Causes. Retrieved from
http://climate.nasa.gov/causes/
(In order to complete this week’s discussion, “Causes and Impact of Global Warming,” review the
information available at the website.)