The disappearance of bees is a very frightening scenario, undeniably. I have heard that bees are directly or indirectly responsible for 2/3 of all the food we eat. They almost-exclusively pollinate the alfalfa on which our dairy and beef cows feed. They pollinate our corn, soybeans and countless other crops that we depend upon for our survival. I have read in previous newspaper articles that there has been a decrease in the amount of bees in six European countries due to harsh winters and pesticides in general. Wasps, hornets, beetles and butterflies have taken their place.  I know that bees pollinate a greater amount of the food chain needed to survive.  Otherwise, God forbid the wasps, beetles, butterflies and hornets are the next to go.  However small they may be, honey bees are one of the most important species on the face of the earth and we should be doing everything we can to protect them.

For a major part of your grade, you are going to research and complete an environmental issues paper. This will help you build the skills necessary to develop an informed opinion and present that opinion in written form. This project will serve as a final assessment for the course. Using the content of the course, critically evaluate and analyze a controversial environmental issue of your choosing. You must examine the pros, cons, compromises, and tradeoffs of the issue by gathering credible information from various sources and assess the scientific credibility of the information. You will then develop from this information a well thought out paper that will address the major players involved, relevant cited facts, and a clearly identified opinion.

The first part of this project will be to submit a topic to your instructor for approval. Research the topic using online library, the online library, scientific journals, government documents, books, science magazines, and personal interviews. Peer reviewed sources should form the basis of your paper. Use a minimum of 6 sources. The final paper should be double-spaced, 12 point, and 6 to 8 pages in length with citations in APA format. Anytime you use the writings or ideas of others as though they were your own, you are plagiarizing (even if you paraphrase). All information and ideas that are not a part of general knowledge must be cited. When in doubt, cite!

Your final paper should address the following key points:

The Controversy: Identify the controversy

The Major Players: Who is involved? Why are they involved?

Important Facts: State relevant facts concerning the issue. Try to separate fact from opinion. Try not to show your own bias. Properly use APA citations

Side One: Arguments; state briefly and cite your sources

Side Two: Arguments; state briefly and cite your sources

Your Opinion and Rationale: I believe that, We should, I feel that Use supporting arguments and rationale. What arguments would you use to present to those who disagree with you? Cite all of your sources.

References: Alphabetize your sources. Make sure there are sources representing both sides of the issue.

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