Pick your industry!

Here is the research question that you will inquire into individually for this unit. In your
investigation you will focus on one of the 4 main industries that emit the most greenhouse
gasses: transport, agriculture, energy or manufacturing / industry.

How can sustainable alternatives

in the Transportation industry
impact climate change?

Remember to add any new sources you used to your citations list!

Investigate a solution!

Define
I&S Bi

What is your research question? Add your industry.

How can sustainable alternatives in the Transportation industry impact climate change?

Which sustainable alternative, a.k.a. solution, for that industry will you investigate?

Agriculture Solutions Manufacture Solutions Electric cars Energy Solutions

Why did you choose that industry and solution? How does that choice align with your
interests or background knowledge? Explain your choices in detail!

I am interested in learning about transportation and electric cars because transportation is

one of the biggest concerns of climate change. In Singapore, I see electric taxis on the road,
but they are not sustainable enough.Electric cars are common in some parts of the world. I
like to travel and it is very interesting for me to learn more about how travel impacts the
environment.
 Action Plan
I&S Bii

Use the checklist below to keep track of the steps in this research process. Then, add steps
from the checklist to your calendar.

Checklist:
Step 1: Choose an industry and a subsection from the choices above. Then
explain why you made those research choices
Step 2: Use the calendar below to plan your next steps. Add items, move them
when necessary, and strikethrough (ctrl+shift+x) them when done!
Step 3: Choose a source to gain background information about the industry
you chose. Complete Cornell notes.
Step 4: Choose a source to gain information about the environmental
impacts of the industry you chose. Complete Cornell notes.
Step 5: Choose and take notes on 2 sources related to a solution for your
industry.
Step 6: Complete the Synthesis section. Answer each question fully, with
sources, to show what you’ve learned!! This step may take more than 1 day
to complete!
Step 7: Complete the Reflection section.
Step 8: Complete the Self-Assessment section.
Step 9: Double check your work and submit to the class padlet!!

May/June 2023
Note: When you complete an item on the calendar, you can select the text and
strikethrough (Shift + Command + X) to show that you’ve finished it.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

15 A2 16 B2 17 A3 18 B3 19 A4 20 21
Choose an Choose a Choose a Choose and
industry and a source about source about take notes
subsection the industry. the about the
from the Use the environmental solution
choices above. calendar to impacts of the related to your
Explain why plan your next industry industry
you made steps
those choices
22 B4 23 A1 24 B1 25 A2 26 B2 27 28
Choose a Choose a Complete the
source about source about synthesis A Day: B Day:
the the possible section. Process Process
environmental impacts of Journal Journal
impacts of your industry. Research Due Research Due
your solution Complete the
synthesis
section

Choose a
source about
some actions
that we can
take within the
industry.

29 A3 30 B3 31 A4 June 1 B4 2 NO 3 4
SCHOOL
Start Teach Start Teach
Back Back
Research
I&S Biii

Students need to take notes on at least 4 sources:

● Optional: 1 source on the causes of climate change
● At least 1 source: Background Knowledge related to the Industry
● At least 1 source: Environmental impacts of that industry with relation to climate
change/global warming
● At least 2 sources: A solution to reduce environmental impacts of that industry
○ How does the solution work?
○ What are other possible impacts of that solution?

Destiny Collection for Destiny Collection for Destiny Collection for Destiny Collection for
Manufacturing Transportation Energy Industry Agriculture Industry
Industry Industry

Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology Transportation Sector

Citation:
National Institute of Standards and Technology. “Transportation Sector.” ″ - Wiktionary,

Disaster Resiliance Framework, 20 October 2014,

https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/el/building_materials/resilience/Disaster_

Resilience_Chapter_6-Transportation_50-Draft_102014.pdf. Accessed 18 May 2023.

Main Idea: Notes:

● The The transportation is important to our daily lives.

transportation Different methods of transportation
sector is Work and school
important to our Attend meetings
daily life and can Provide assistance in a medical emergency
include many Different reasons
parts. Transporting goods from committees
Food is transported from the source to a processing plant then
Research / Key National distribution center
Question(s): Roads and bridges are also an important part of this sector. People
What is some can rely on different modes of transportationx
Airplanes
background knowledge
Freight and passenger rail
about the Subways and light rail
transportation industry? Ships
Ferries

Summary:
Transportation is a critical part of our lives.People rely on different modes of transportation to travel from
work and school, attend business meetings, visiting friends and provide assistance in a medical
emergency. People can also rely on transportation for different needs such as transporting goods
across the country.For example, food is transported from the manufacturing source(factories) to national
distribution centers which in turn can send the food to a store where people can purchase them. Some
examples of the transportation industry are airplanes,roads,bridges,freight(goods) and passenger rail,
subways and light rail,ships and ferries as well as motorcycles and bikes.

Source: Wikipedia- Environmental impacts of the transportation industry

Citation:

Wikipedia. “Environmental effects of transport.” Wikipedia, Wikipedia, 19 May 2023,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_effects_of_transport. Accessed 19 May

2023.

Main Idea: Notes:

Transportation is a major
cause of global warming
or climate change.
Transportation can cause
a huge impact to the
environment.
Key Question:
What are the
environmental impacts of
the transport industry?
The environmental impacts of the transportation industry are important
because transportation can use energy and burns petrol which creates air
pollution including the pollution of nitrous oxide and particulates and is an
important contributor to climate change. Within the transportation industry,
road transportation is one of the biggest cause of climate change. Other
environmental impacts of the transportation industry include traffic
congestion and automobile orientated urban sprawl which can consume
natural habitats and farming lands.If we reduce transport emissions
globally,there will be positive impacts on the planet’s air quality,acid
rain,smog and climate change.The transportation industry is a major
source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Summary:

Transportation has many environmental impacts are vital.Transportation can use up energy and burn
petrol which creates air pollution which includes the pollution of nitrous oxide and particulates and is an
important contributor to climate change. Within the transportation industry,road transportation is one of
the biggest cause of climate change. Some impacts on the environment are traffic congestion and
automobile orientated urban sprawl which can consume natural habitats and farming lands.
Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Source: Energy Education California Electric Cars

Citation:
Energy Education. “Electric vehicle.” Energy Education, Energy Education, 22 May 2023,
 https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Electric_vehicle#/find/nearest?fuel=ELEC.

Accessed 22 May 2023.

Main Idea: Notes:

Electric Cars are a type of car that uses electric motors as a source or
Electric Cars are propulsion. Electric Cars use an onboard electricity storage system as a
sustainable vehicles source of energy.Electric Cars have a driving range of about 60-400
and have many kilometers before recharging. The recharge time is 4-8 hours depending
different parts. Electric on the battery life. Electricity is transferred from a battery to a controller.
The controller sends the electricity to the electric motors. The accelerator
Cars can work in
is connected to a variable switch.
different ways.
Research / Key
Question(s):
What Are Electric
Cars?
How do they work?

Summary:

Electric Cars are a type of car that uses electric motors as a source of propulsion. Electric cars use an
onboard electricity storage system as a source of energy. Electric cars have a driving range of 60-400
km before recharging. The recharge time is 4-8 hours depending on the battery life.The electricity is
transferred from a battery to a controller. The controller sends the electricity to the electric motors. The
accelerator is connected to a variable switch.

Source: e-AMRIT Benefits of Electric Cars

Citation:
Work Cited

e AMRIT. “BENEFITS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES.” e-AMRIT, e-AMRIT, 23 May 2023,

https://e-amrit.niti.gov.in/benefits-of-electric-vehicles. Accessed 23 May 2023.

Main Idea: Notes:

Electric Cars have
different benefits on our
life as well as on our
economics, society and
environment.
The cost of an electric car is lower than a petrol or diesel vehicle.
Electric cars are more efficient and use renewable energy. Electric
cars have low maintenance costs because they do not have many
moving parts as a vehicle with internal combustion. The servicing
for electric cars is less than conventional petrol or diesel vehicles.
Electric cars can help reduce carbon footprint because there will
Research / Key be no tailpipe emissions that are used. Registration fees and tax
Question(s): are buying electric vehicles which are lesser than cars that run on
What are the petrol. Petrol is very bad for the environment and can lead to
environmental impacts health problems. Electric cars are quiet and do not cause noise
pollution.
of electric cars?
What are the possible
economic benefits for
electric cars?

Summary:

Electric cars have different benefits. The cost of an electric car is lower than a petrol vehicle.Electric
cars are more unique and use renewable energy.Electric cars are quiet since they do not have an
engine and it will reduce noise pollution. Petrol can lead to health problems when released into the
atmosphere. Registration fees and road taxes are lesser than petrol cars. The maintenance of electric
cars is more convenient than petrol.

Source: UN Environmental Programme

Citation:

Main Idea: Notes:

There is a lot that we can If there are less cars on the road, that means we burn lesser
do as humans to try and carbon emissions. There are many ways that we can try to stop
stop climate change. climate change by walking and biking when you can, use the bike
Research / Key share programs and take public transportation when needed.
Question(s): Carpool with friends instead of driving alone and use ride sharing
What are some services. Make the most of your trips and work from home if your
recommended actions time allows it. Choose fuel efficient vehicles. Use cars less. Inside
buildings,take the stairs instead of lifts or escalators. Use public
for my audience to
transportation. Travel by boat or train for shorter journeys.
take?

Summary:

There is a lot that we can do within the transportation sector to stop climate change. If there are lesser
cars on the road, then we can burn less carbon dioxide. Together, we can stop climate change within
the transport sector by doing the following things: Walk and bike whenever you can. Use bike share
programmes if your neighborhood has it. Take public transportation when needed. Carpool with friends
instead of driving alone. Use ride share services when needed. Make the most of your trips to and from
places. Try not to keep coming back and forth from places too much. Work from home if your time is
allows it. Choose fuel efficient vehicles such as electric vehicles.
Remember to add new sources to your Works Cited!
Synthesize
I&S: Ai & Aii, Science: Di, Dii, Diii & Div

Answer each of the following prompts in at least 2-3 sentences. Be sure to include sources
(e.g. according to…), and key vocabulary!

I&S Vocabulary Bank: Science Vocabulary Bank:

● Evidence ● Economics / Economic ● Fossil Fuels

● Cause Globalization, ● Greenhouse Gasses /
● Effect ● Industry (agriculture, CO2e
● Global manufacturing, transportation, ● Greenhouse Effect /
Interactions energy), Global Warming
● Human ● Supply & Demand ● Climate Change
impacts on ● Producers & Consumers ● Methane
the ● Sustainability / Sustainable (3 ● Coal/Oil/Natural Gas
environment pillars: Social, Environment, ● Renewable
Economics), ● Non-renewable

What is a scientific explanation (with scientific evidence) for climate change / global
warming?

Sentence starter: Scientific evidence shows that global warming is caused by… according
to…

Scientific evidence shows that global warming is caused by rising sea levels. According to my
process journal rising sea levels can cause the temperatures in the ocean to go up.

What is a scientific explanation (with scientific evidence) for the environmental impact(s)
of your industry related to climate change/global warming?

Sentence starter: Scientific evidence such as… shows that the [agriculture, transportation,
etc..] industry contributes to climate change through...

Scientific evidence such as driving too much shows that the transportation industry
contributes to climate change by causing air pollution.

What is a scientific explanation (with scientific evidence) of your solution, from your
research question? Basically, how does this solution work?

Sentence starter:
● A scientific solution to mitigate climate change is… It would help because…

A scientific solution to mitigate climate change is using electric vehicles when going to
places. It would help because it does not cause carbon emissions and it would be better for
the environment.

What is a scientific explanation (with evidence from source(s)) of the possible impacts of
your solution, from your research question? Basically, what other effects might this solution
create - think economy, social, environment.
 Sentence starter:
● According to…. this solution could lead to positive impacts such as...

According to eAMRIT, this solution can lead to positive impacts such as it would cost more
money to buy an electric car. It would also make lesser impacts on people’s health.

What are the possible economic benefits / challenges of your solution, from your research
question?

Sentence starters:
● According to…
● One possible economic benefit of this solution is...
● Considering supply and demand, adopting this solution could…
● This solution may create challenges / benefits for producers / consumers, such
as...because…

This solution may create challenges/benefits for producers/consumers such as costing more
for producers to make electric cars and also using lesser fuel when driving them because it
would cause lesser harm to our society.

What are some recommended actions for your audience to take, based on your research?

Sentence starters:
● We have the power to make a difference! Let's start by...
● It's not too late to change the course of our planet's future. Here's what you can do...
● We owe it to ourselves and future generations to act now. Here's how you can helpl...
● Let's be the change we want to see in the world. Take a stand and...
● Don't underestimate the power of your choices. Start by...
● Together, we can build a sustainable future. Here are practical steps you can take
today...

We have power to make a difference! Let’s start by educating other people about buying
electric vehicles. It is not too late to change the course of our planet’s future. Here’s what you
can do. You can also buy electric vehicles that do not cost much money.

My combined response to the research question, in no more than 3 sentences:

Sentence starter: One solution for the [agriculture, transportation, etc..] industry to reduce
their impact on climate change is…

One solution for the transportation industry to reduce their impact on climate change is buying
electric vehicles. We can do this by educating other people and spreading awareness for
buying electric cars.

Reflect on your Investigation: Process & Results

I&S: Biv

A good reflection tells the story of your process (how did it go; time + self-management) and
your results (are you happy with the quality of your research, learning, and answers). Answer
each of the following prompts with 2-3 sentences.
Look back at your Research (Cornell notes): How would you evaluate it?
● Are you happy with that result, or is there something you wish you’d done differently?
● Will your notes help you answer the research question, or did you include a bunch of random
facts?

I wish I had a detailed summary and never copied off of my notes. My notes helped me to
better understand the research question using relevant information.

Look back at your Research (Cornell notes): Tell the story of your research process.
● Did you choose your sources well?
● Did you start researching a source, only to realize it wouldn’t help answer the research
question?
● What was easy or difficult when completing your Cornell Notes?
● Are there any sections in particular (main idea statement, note-taking, summary) that you often
struggle with?

I did not choose my sources well because I found sources that were very complicated to
understand. I started researching a source only to realise it would not help me to answer the
research question because there were not many sources on the internet. The difficult part of
completing my Cornell Notes was the summary because I had to copy from my notes and it
took a long time to write a summary in my own words. I often struggle with the main idea
because I had to read the article a few times to help me understand it and generate the main
idea.

Look back at the Synthesis section: Did you answer each question fully, including
scientific evidence and evidence from sources (e.g. According to…)?
● If so, what contributed to your success? How did your research prepare you?
● If not, what went wrong? What mistake(s) did you make while researching?

I had to keep researching information from sources when I completed the synthesis. I took
many days to complete my research. I answered each question fully but I did not include
scientific evidence and evidence from sources.
Self-Assessment
How do you think you did in this investigation? Complete a self assessment here - your
teachers will be using the same rubric when they assess your work in this section.

Strikethrough the descriptors that don’t fit and highlight the one that does!
I only picked the industry, I didn't explain anything else

Did you explain your I picked my industry and subsection, and described my choice
research question? I picked my industry, subjection and described my choice with detail

I picked my industry, subsection, and explained my choice in detail

Not really, most of it isn't complete and I didn't finish investigating all of
my sources

Did you follow your Partially, some of it isn't complete and I needed a little more information
action plan? from my sources

Yes, I completed everything, but I didn't tick them off my action plan

Yes, I used it well to thoroughly investigate my question, completing

everything and updating my action plan as I completed stages

Not really, I didn't finish them and some of them aren't relevant

Did you take notes I got 4 sources mostly done, not all of the information I tool notes on is
on four sources that relevant though
are relevant to your Yes, I took notes on 4 sources and most of the information is relevant
research question?
Yes, I took notes on 4 sources and all of them include relevant and
detailed information

No, I did not use any vocabulary words or I used them incorrectly
Did you complete the I used some economic or other vocabulary words, sometimes using
synthesis using scientific language to communicate
scientific, economic
and other vocabulary I used many economic and other vocabulary words and usually applied
terms in your scientific language to communicate
responses?
I consistently used correct economic and other vocabulary words and I
consistently applied scientific language to communicate
Did you include your I stated some information, I didn't explain though
understanding of
economic concepts Yes, by stating some information with simple explanations
and sustainable Yes, I explained clearly and outlined with relevant explanations
alternatives
(solutions) in the Yes, I gave a detailed explanation and outlined with detailed and relevant
synthesis? examples
Did you include a I stated some scientific information, I did not explain properly though
scientific
explanation of I stated some scientific information, and gave a simple explanation
 climate change / I outlined scientific information in my explanation, with some evidence
global warming in
your synthesis? I summarised information and evidence to support my explanation

I stated some scientific information about a sustainable solution, I did not

Did you include a successfully explain though
scientific I stated some scientific information to explain a sustainable solution
explanation of your
solution in your I outlined scientific information for a specific sustainable solution
synthesis?
I described and summarised scientific information to advocate for a new,
and previously untried solution

I stated some scientific information about a some impacts, I did not

Did you include successfully explain though
information on the
impacts of your I stated some scientific information to explain the impact of my industry
industry on the and my solution
environment and the I outlined scientific information specific to my industry and my sustainable
other possible solution
impacts of your
solution? I described and summarised scientific information specific to my industry
and the sustainable solution I investigated

No, I did not follow the prompts in their journal or my reflections were
very limited
Did you reflect on
your process and Yes, I answered the questions briefly with small details
results? Yes, I answered all of the questions in detail

Yes, I answered the questions thoroughly and consistently in detail

 Works Cited

1. Sareena,Dayaram. “ The Metals inside Your Iphone are more precious than
you thought: Here’s Why” Accessed April 28 2023
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/the-metals-inside-your-iphone-are-more-
precious-than-you-thought-heres-why/

2. Sam Costello. Where is the I Phone made? Accessed 28 April 2023

https://www.lifewire.com/where-is-the-iphone-made-1999503

3. “″Why is our food system one of the biggest causes of nature loss?” Youtube, Save Our

Wild Isles, 20 April 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ghqfK5LbI&t=997s.

Accessed 5 May 2023.

4. 2040. “2040 - Decentralised Energy.” YouTube, 23 February 2022,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgkHqql-_Ps&ab_channel=2040. Accessed 11 May
2023.
5. UN Environment Programme. “The Six-sector solution to the climate crisis - Transport.”

UNEP, UNEP, 23 May 2023,

https://www.unep.org/interactive/six-sector-solution-climate-change/transport/index.php.

Accessed 23 May 2023.

6. e AMRIT. “BENEFITS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES.” e-AMRIT, e-AMRIT, 23 May 2023,

https://e-amrit.niti.gov.in/benefits-of-electric-vehicles. Accessed 23 May 2023.

7. National Institute of Standards and Technology. “Transportation Sector.” ″ - Wiktionary,

Disaster Resiliance Framework, 20 October 2014,

https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/el/building_materials/resilience/Disaster_Re

silience_Chapter_6-Transportation_50-Draft_102014.pdf. Accessed 18 May 2023.

8. Wikipedia. “Environmental effects of transport.” Wikipedia, Wikipedia, 19 May 2023,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_effects_of_transport. Accessed 19 May

2023.