Group Discussion: review each of the linked sources below about Climate Change. Decide if the source is credible after applying the CRAAP Test, then fill in either a checkmark or an x on the worksheet.
How Climate Change Worsens Heatwaves, Droughts, Wildfires and Floods
Group Discussion: review each of the sources below about Climate Change. Decide if the source is credible after applying the CRAAP Test, then fill in either a checkmark or an x on the worksheet.
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1. Website Snapshot (Student Blog) Title: “1.5 to Stay Alive” Author: AUC student named Leo (student identity given, but not a professional climate scientist). About Page: Explains the blog is part of a university course on Energy, Climate & Sustainability; created by students. No outside funding listed. Content:
Tone: Urgent and concerned, sometimes dramatic (uses words like “apocalyptic” and “life and death”), but mostly educational. Graphics: Timeline image showing the history of how the 1.5 °C target became a goal; visuals taken from credible sources. Citations: Links to the IPCC, UNFCCC, and other scientific sources, plus a shared reference list. |
2. Website Snapshot (Government Scientific Agency) Title: “Causes of Climate Change” Author: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (official government source; staff scientists/editors—not a student or anonymous blog). About Page / Site Purpose: .gov domain; part of EPA’s Climate Change Science section. Says official mission is to inform the public using scientific research and government assessments. Content:
Tone: Clear, factual, neutral. Uses terms like “extremely likely (>95%)” for human influence; avoids dramatic exaggeration. Uses precise scientific language. Graphics: Includes graphs and charts showing greenhouse gas concentrations over time, comparisons of natural vs. human effects, illustrations of things like aerosols and reflectivity. Clear labeling, multiple sources noted. US EPA Citations: References peer-reviewed scientific reports, national climate assessments (e.g. U.S. Global Change Research Program), IPCC reports, National Academy of Sciences. Many data sources are linked; recent year data. US EPA |
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3. Website Snapshot (Encyclopedia Entry) Title: “Climate Change Denial” Author: Wikipedia community (multiple contributors, edited over time; authorship is collective, not a single named expert) About Page / Site Purpose: Part of Wikipedia, an open-access collaborative encyclopedia. Articles are written and edited by volunteers, reviewed by community editorial norms. Not explicitly funded by any commercial or political actor, but reliance on volunteer editing creates variation in quality. Content:
Tone: Mostly neutral, explanatory. Presents the facts and the ways denial works, rather than persuading or alarmism. Uses careful disclaimers. Graphics / Visuals: Includes images/diagrams (e.g. charts related to denial tactics, climate science consensus, networks). Graphs are used to illustrate how denial arguments are constructed. Wikipedia Citations: Many references at end; peer-reviewed work, academic studies, and credible sources. However, being Wikipedia, quality of citations depends on editors; some statements are more strongly sourced than others. |
4. Website Snapshot (News Outlet) Title: (something along the lines of) “How climate change is already changing extreme weather” or similar Science/Environment coverage from BBC. Author: Named BBC science reporter (there is usually an author credited; often a journalist with expertise in science/environment). About / Site Purpose: Part of the BBC’s News Section. Meant to inform the public about scientific developments in climate change. Not a blog, not opinion, but journalism. Content (Likely):
Tone: Balanced and measured. BBC tends to avoid sensationalism but may use strong language when warranted (“increasingly severe,” “growing risks,” etc.). Intended to be accessible to general audience. Graphics / Visuals: Likely includes photographs (from field / affected places), maybe graphs or charts showing temperature trends or frequency of extreme events. Maps or infographics are possible. Citations / Sources: References to studies (journal articles), reports (IPCC, national meteorological agencies), interviews with climate scientists. May link to other BBC articles or external sources. |
Perception: How is your source viewed by others? Combining the information from your various searches should give you a good idea of how this website is viewed and whether it is reliable.
Research: The point is to look outside of the website...do not rely on how the website describes itself (such as via the “about us” page, etc.)
Group Discussion: Below are two short “website snapshots.” One is less trustworthy, the other is more trustworthy. Read them carefully, then use the checklist to decide: Which one is more reliable, and why?
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You are giving a speech, but you will use other people's expertise and experience to help support what you may already know. Determining the best people and sources to support your ideas is the first step to high quality research!
Who would provide authoritative information on your topic?
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"Constructed" authorities Individuals who hold advanced degrees in a subject, have many years of professional experience, or have been widely recognized for their mastery of a topic. |
"Contextual" authorities Nonprofessional individuals whose personal experience on your topic is appropriate in the context of your speech. |
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What authorities would be most relevant and entertaining for the other students in your audience?
