Description
This course is part of the Introduction to Environmental Science open course series.
Energy and Earth: Fossil Fuels, Alternative, and Renewable Energy is part of the Introduction to Environmental Science open course series. This course explores the production and use of energy by humans and its impact on the environment, human health and Earth’s ecosystems. We examine both nonrenewable and renewable sources of energy as well as ways that science and engineering have helped advance more sustainable energy technologies. We will discuss some of the consequences of using fossil fuels, such as climate change, air and water pollution, and human health. We will also explore alternative energy sources such as nuclear fission, hydrogen fuel cells, wind turbines, solar power and geothermal power plants.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
- Define energy return on energy investment and be able to compare various types of energy using this metric.
- Identify the environmental problems associated with coal ash waste ponds.
- Describe the history of atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 800,000 years and identify how these concentrations are measured.
- Describe how humans mine and extract oil.
- Describe the fate and impact of plastic products.
- Describe the mechanisms for various alternative & renewable energy sources including: solar cells, geothermal, wind, hydro, and more; how they generate electricity; and their advantages and disadvantages .
Target Audience: Undergraduate students and those with an interest in understanding the environment and climates of Earth a bit more.
Be sure to check out the other two courses in this series, listed below:
Course is offered by The Ohio State University Global One Health Initiative
