EASC 110 - Energy and Society

• Natural Sciences Distribution Requirement

1. Trace energy flows and think in terms of energy systems
2. Understand the physical, chemical, biological and/or environmental frameworks from which our “conventional” & renewable/sustainable energy resources originate
3. Assess the credibility of information about energy
4. Assess the advantages and disadvantages of our “conventional” and renewable/sustainable energy resources from technological, political, economic, social and environmental perspectives
5. Know how much energy they use, for what, & where their energy comes from
6. Communicate about energy resources, energy use and the technical and social barriers to large-scale renewable energy implementation in meaningful ways
7. Make informed energy use decisions based on an understanding of impacts & consequences

1. Overview of Energy & Society. Energy is a physical quantity that follows precise natural laws. Physical and biological processes on Earth are the result of energy flow through the Earth system. Various sources of energy can be used to power human activities, and often this energy must be transformed to a new form or transferred from source to destination. Energy use and decisions are influenced by economic, political, environmental, & social factors. The quality of life of individuals and societies is affected by energy choices.
2. Energy Basics. Energy is a physical quantity that follows precise natural laws. (Revisited) The energy of a system or object that results in its temperature is called thermal energy. Energy is neither created nor destroyed but can be transferred from system to system. Energy available to do useful work decreases as it is transferred from system to system. Energy comes in different forms and can be divided into categories. Chemical and nuclear reactions involve transfer and transformation of energy.
3. Energy Sources / Impact of Energy Production and Use. Physical and biological processes on Earth are the result of energy flow through the Earth system. (Revisited). Sunlight, gravitational potential, decay of radioactive isotopes, and rotation of the Earth are the major sources of energy driving physical processes on Earth. Greenhouse gases affect energy flow through the Earth system. Fossil and biofuels are organic matter that contains energy captured from sunlight. Humans are part of Earth’s ecosystems and influence energy flow through these systems. Humans transfer, transform and store energy from the environment into forms useful for human endeavors. Different sources of energy and the different ways energy can be transformed, transported, and stored each have different benefits and drawbacks. Environmental quality is impacted by energy choices.  
4. How Energy is Used / End-use Energy Technology and Practice. Various sources of energy can be used to power human activities, and often this energy must be transformed to a new form or transferred from source to destination. (Revisited). The amount of energy used by human society depends on many factors. Humans transfer, transform and store energy from the environment into forms useful for human endeavors (transportation, electricity, buildings, manufacturing). Human use of energy is subject to limits and constraints. Conservation and efficiency represent important areas of untapped potential.
5. Energy Policy and Decision-Making. Energy decisions are influenced by economic, political, environmental, and social factors. (Revisited). The quality of life of individuals and societies is affected by energy choices. (Revisited). Human demand for energy is increasing but Earth has limited energy resources. Behavior and design, and therefore social and technological innovation, affect the amount of energy used by human society. Economic & national security as well as environmental quality are impacted by energy choices. Access to energy resources (e.g. fossil fuels) affects quality of life.