Despite concern about climate change and urgent calls to reduce carbon emissions, we continue to see increasing emissions and accelerating warming. How did we get here and how do we successfully transition to a low carbon economy? Through current and historical examples, students will gain insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with energy transitions.
Students will analyze how scientific discoveries, market forces, policy interventions and regulatory frameworks shape energy production and consumption. Topics will include: (1) the science of climate change and technological solutions including carbon capture, (2) trends in energy use and the supply and demand drivers of both fossil fuels and renewable energy sources, (3) the role of energy market structures including the deregulation of electricity markets in the United States and the challenges of integrating renewable energy into existing grids, and (4) the the role of government policies in propelling energy transitions and combating climate change. Distributional consequences of energy transitions will also be discussed. Satisfies the Interdisciplinary course requirement for Environmental Studies majors.