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U4735x Environmental Science for Decision Makers

Lecture 1: Course Overview.

Jim Simpson and Jessie Cherry

1. Class structure: 3 pts + 1 pt (quantitative analysis section).

   1. Three sections: Water, Energy & Climate.

   2. Lectures, readings, homework exercises, exams (for each section).

   3. Readings on reserve at SIPA library, available at Labyrinth Books or online.

   4. Lecture material on the course web site.

   5. Major goals: to gain some intuitive understanding of natural processes that are critical to three aspects of the earth system covered in this course. As part of this understanding we hope you will develop analytical skills that include gaining confidence in working with simple calculations (including unit conversions, etc.).

2. A course on alternative energy supplies (other than the traditional fossil fuel sources that dominate the present global industrial economy) was launched in Spring '02, by Professors Klaus Lackner, Roger Anderson, and David Walker. This course is intended for SIPA students, but is also open to others at the university, including undergraduates. It was developed in response to interest in such a course from students in U4735 from previous years.

3. Inquiries regarding the EPS concentration at SIPA should be directed to Bhavna Prasad (MPA program) or Janice Gabucan (MIA program).

4. Motivation for Water section of course.

   1. Many people already have general intuitive understanding of water issues.

   2. Water affects many aspects of modern life.

   3. Water policies are directly related to both Climate & Energy.

   4. Major floods as stimulus for construction of dams.

   5. Hydroelectric generation: largest electricity source other than fossil fuels & nuclear energy (about 20% of global and 10% of USA electricity supplies).

   6. Construction of large dams on rivers primarily occurred during the 20th century, representing one of the major perturbations of the natural environment by humans.

5. Motivation for Energy section.

   1. About 90% of current global energy sources derived from combustion of fossil fuels.

   2. Fossil fuels represent a finite resource which will eventually be depleted beyond the level that can be economically recovered.

   3. Fossil fuel combustion also produces green house gases (mostly CO2) which can significantly alter global climate.

   4. Transportation sector is major consumer, accounting for about 30% of fossil fuel use in North America.

   5. Energy consumption patterns and amounts have a major influence on a large range of economic as well as environmental issues.

6. Motivation for Climate section.

   1. Climate is a fundamental aspect of earth's environment, it makes our planet habitable as opposed to our neighboring planets.

   2. Our planet's regional climates controls the types of life that occupy each region and therefore the kinds of crops and live stock that can be grown.

   3. The energy of the climate system controls the water cycle and the geographic distribution and intensity of rainfall.

   4. Our burning of fossil fuels has great potential impact on the climate system.

7. Why learn science?

   1. It is difficult to think about, or assess, environmental issues without some understanding of the scientific processes that control them. Without some scientific understanding the issues becomes sets of facts, often conflicting.

   2. Understanding how scientific knowledge is generated and how consensus is reached is important to evaluating scientific input to environmental issues.

   3. Evaluating uncertainty or recognizing that it exists is inherent to scientific thinking.

   4. Science has an important role to play in the political debate about environmental issues.

Updated September 10, 2003
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