GEOL 3520

Environmental Issues

MWF 11:00 AM

BESC 1B75

 

 

Professor: Jim White 303 492-8437 or 303 492-5495

email: James.White@Colorado.edu

Office Hours: MWF Noon – 1PM or by appointment

Office: 246E BESC

 

This course explores where our energy comes from and the potential for future sources. As fossil fuels dominate our energy production, we will also investigate the hype and realities of climate change and greenhouse gases. We will consider these topics through the lenses of basic science, policy, politics, economics and ethics. 

 

Grading

We will have three exams, a substantial homework, and occasional in-class quizzes. The first two exams are 25% each of your grade, the final exam is 30%. The homework (more information below) is 15%, and the quizzes total 5%.

 

Exam schedule

Exam 1: Friday, Feb 20

Exam 2: Friday, April 3

Final Exam: Tuesday, May 5, 7:30pm

 

Textbook

There textbook is Wolfson, ÒEnergy Environment and ClimateÓ. We will also read from the following online reports. You can download these for free, or read them online.

 

Annual Energy Report (US DOE):

http://www.eia.doe.gov/aer/

 

International Energy Outlook (US DOE):

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/index.html

 

IPCC 4th Assessment report:

http://www.ipcc.ch/

 

All lectures are posted below as pdf files. They will be updated throughout the semester so check frequently.

3520 Part 1.pdf

Oil

Natural Gas

Coal

Basics of energy use

Nuclear

Climate Ethics

Jamieson paper on climate ethics

Solar Power

Hydropower

Windpower

Geothermal

Biomass

Carbon climate basics

Other GHGs

Carbon cycle

Climate change

Beyond climate change

 

Ruler of the World Homework

In this homework, you are designated as absolute ruler of the world in the year 2040 with the task of supplying the energy needed to run the world. The class will decide on how the world will look at that time in terms of energy use per capita. Check here for information on due date, downloads, etc.

 

 

Important Course Policies:

 

If you know that you will miss an exam, see me BEFORE the date of the exam to arrange a make-up.

 

If you miss a quiz and have a valid reason, see me as soon as possible after the missed quiz to discuss getting credit for the quiz (depending on the reason for the absence). Once the next quiz or exam is given, I will not give any credit for a missed quiz or exam.

 

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and

http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices

 

If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see guidelines at

http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/go.cgi?select=temporary.html

 

Disability Services' letters for students with disabilities indicate legally mandated reasonable accommodations. The syllabus statements and answers toFrequently Asked Questions can be found at

http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices

 

 

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance.  In this class, if you need to miss a lecture please inform me in advance. If you need to reschedule an exam, please see me at least a week in advance.

See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

 

 

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities.  Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records.  See policies at

http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at

http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html - student_code

 

 

The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty.  Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of sexual harassment or discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.  Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh

 

 

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior.  All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-735-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at

http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at

http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/