Choose an environmental issue that interests you from the list below:
- Preventing loss of biodiversity
- Maintaining clean water supplies
- Developing new energy sources
- Proper Solid and hazardous waste disposal
- Sustainable uses of public lands
Please note that climate change and air quality are not options for the Final Paper because students will write a short paper during Week Two, which focuses on those policy areas.
As explained in the instructions to your Final Paper, your paper should have five major sections. For this assignment, you will complete the following sections:
- Introduce the thesis and provide a brief overview of the main points of the rest of your paper.
- Describe your issue and explain how and why the three environmental challenges/problems are associated with this issue.
- Explain how and why the three environmental challenges/problems associated with your issue impact direct and/or indirect environmental values.
- Recommend a policy that will effectively and efficiently address the three environmental challenges/problems associated with your issue and evaluate the social, political, economic, and environmental pros/cons of implementing your policy.
- Conclude your paper with a brief review of your main points and overall argument/thesis.
The paper must be 10 to 12 pages in length (excluding the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. You must use at least six scholarly sources (at least three from the Ashford University Library) other than the course text to support your claims and subclaims. Cite your sources in-text and on the reference page. For information regarding APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar.
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:
- Must be 10 to 12 double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
- Must include a title page with the following:
- Title of paper
- Student’s name
- Course name and number
- Instructor’s name
- Date submitted
- Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
- Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
- Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
- Must use at least six scholarly resources, including a minimum of three from the Ashford University Library.
- Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
- Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center


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