Climate Change: Back to Basics

This class first considers climate change and the questions: is it real? Is it happening? Is it manmade? Then we will review current and potential future consequences of climate change (more severe hurricanes, sea level rise, drought, flooding) and possible irreversible tipping points like the melting of the West Antarctic glaciers. Class continues with a review of energy resources: fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), renewables (solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, wave, and others), batteries, and nuclear. We will look at their energy potential, climate change impacts, and costs. Next we will shift to the US. How are we doing on providing energy and food? How are we doing as we deal with climate change? What is the state of changing climate-change-related laws, legislation, court rulings, and executive orders? Are we really the largest producers of oil and natural gas in the world? Can we live without coal? Alternatively, can we simply adapt to climate change? What are adaption strategies for different sections of the US? Should we continue to rebuild damaged properties in flooded and wildfire-damaged regions, or should we consider "managed retreat"? Can we make cities more resilient to climate change damage? Finally, what are our prospects for the future? What research should we be focusing on? Are there any breakthroughs on the horizon, like fusion power plants? What is the likely future for our children and grandchildren?