Fall 2010: Energy

Full-time, 15 credits (DIAL 390W, 391W, 392W).

Our future and that of our planet is affected by two overwhelming trends: we are running out of oil, and climate is changing due to excessive carbon emissions. Economies, life styles, and the survival and diversity of other organisms depend on how we adapt to new energy constraints. The choice is not whether to change, but rather how to develop soundenergy policies and personal living practices that allow a gentler transition into the new energy economy. This semester is about hope, and solutions, focused on thoughtful, confident planning and rigorous analysis to enable effective adaptation to these challenges. Topics will include:

Peak Oil: Will we run out, and are there viable carbon-based alternatives to oil?

Alternative Energy: How can business, science, and\ social policy synergize a new energy economy, and who will be the key players?

Transportation: How might transportation be redesigned locally and over long distances to adapt to changing energy prices and sources?

Climate Change: How can we reduce carbon emissions, maintain robust economies, and adapt to current and future levels of global warming?

Life Cycle/Lifetime Analyses: How do we analyze the status quo and alternatives to determine which are optimal economically, personally, and environmentally?

FACULTY

Mark L. Winston is the Academic Director of the Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University.

Barbara Frisken is Professor and Chair at the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University.

Ted Kirkpatrick is an Associate Professor at the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University.