Today many people assume that technological change is the major factor in …
Today many people assume that technological change is the major factor in historical change and that it tends to lead to historical progress. This class turns these assumptions into a question—what is the role of technology in history?—by focusing on four key historical transitions: the human revolution (the emergence of humans as a history-making species), the Neolithic Revolution (the emergence of agriculture-based civilizations); the great leap in productivity (also known as the industrial revolution), and the great acceleration that has come with the rise of human empire on the planet. These topics are studied through a mix of textbook reading (David Christian’s “Maps of Time”), supplementary readings (ranging from Auel, “The Clan of the Cave Bear” to Hersey, “Hiroshima”), illustrated lectures, class discussions, guest lectures/discussions, short “problem paper” assignments, and a final project defined by the student. Because MIT is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2011, this version of the class will also focus on connections between MIT as an institution and technology in the history of the last 150 years.
In this activity, students calculate the cost of the energy used to …
In this activity, students calculate the cost of the energy used to operate a common three-bulb light fixture, and compare the costs and amount of CO2 produced for similar incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
To Drill or Not to Drill is a multidisciplinary problem based learning …
To Drill or Not to Drill is a multidisciplinary problem based learning exercise, which intends to increase students' knowledge of a variety of topics through a real world environmental topic. In addition, drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) impacts students either directly (depending on the age level) or indirectly (through their parents) as gas prices soar to record high levels.
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Students will explore the different aspects of the carbon cycle on Earth. …
Students will explore the different aspects of the carbon cycle on Earth. This includes the original source of all the carbon on our planet, the near ubiquity of carbon, the six principle reservoirs of carbon in the Earth system, and the movement (flux) of carbon between reservoirs. Students will approach the chemical history of carbon by personifying the "journey" of specific carbon atoms throughout geologic time. The unit emphasizes the grand challenges of energy resources and climate change by grounding these issues in a solid understanding of carbon from a systems thinking perspective. The point here is for students to gain a more robust appreciation for the movement of carbon between atmosphere and geosphere, between hydrosphere and biosphere. The unit provides dynamic understanding of how perturbations to one sphere or changes in the amount of carbon in a given reservoir can have implications throughout the Earth system.
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After an opening discussion of systems thinking and models, student use webDICE …
After an opening discussion of systems thinking and models, student use webDICE , an online Dynamic Integrated Climate Economy model developed by Center for Robust Decision Making on Climate and Energy Policy at the University of Chicago. Students will manipulate input parameters and interpret output in small groups in-class and individually out of class to complete the major mid-module assignment. The goal is to develop their understanding of the sources of uncertainty around future predictions of climate change and its impacts. Students are also introduced to the concept of Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) which is central to subsequent units in this module.
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Students will be introduced to a few of the different methods used …
Students will be introduced to a few of the different methods used in paleoclimatology, including isotopic ratios as paleotemperature proxies. They will investigate the greenhouse gas connections of two ancient climate episodes, the cold "Snowball Earth" of the Neoproterozoic and the hot "Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum" (PETM) of the Cenozoic. The unit emphasizes the grand challenges of energy resources and climate change by grounding these issues in an understanding of ancient climate from a systems thinking perspective. Students will gain a more robust appreciation for the record of the movement of carbon between atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere over geologic time, and how various components of the Earth system respond to those perturbations. The unit practices geoscientific habits of mind, such as comparing modern processes to ancient analogues recorded by geologic processes, as well as the importance of converging lines of evidence, and recognition of Earth as a long-lived, dynamic, and complex system.
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This strategy game has players prospect for oil using seismic profiles on …
This strategy game has players prospect for oil using seismic profiles on limited budgets.
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In 2022, the US had about 4,000 petroleum-burning generators, providing only 0.6% …
In 2022, the US had about 4,000 petroleum-burning generators, providing only 0.6% of the nation's electricity due to lower efficiency and higher costs than alternatives. These smaller generators are mainly used for peak power and emergency backup, with policies since 1978 discouraging their use to reduce oil dependence for national security.
In this lesson, students utilize case studies to learn about the ways …
In this lesson, students utilize case studies to learn about the ways climate change is currently impacting people and other living things around the world.
Of the millions of wells drilled, approximately 3.5 million are now abandoned, …
Of the millions of wells drilled, approximately 3.5 million are now abandoned, with some being properly plugged and others left unplugged. Unplugged wells can emit greenhouse gases, contaminate surrounding environments, and pose safety hazards. Orphaned wells, which lack a responsible operator, become the financial responsibility of the government and taxpayers.
Global natural gas consumption has risen 70% from 2000 to 2022, fueled …
Global natural gas consumption has risen 70% from 2000 to 2022, fueled by economic growth and coal-to-gas transition. Hydraulic fracturing in the US has played a major role. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) enables long-distance shipping, but presents climate and energy justice challenges.
Texas has emerged as a prominent oil and gas producer, ranking as …
Texas has emerged as a prominent oil and gas producer, ranking as the fifth largest oil producer globally if it were its own country. The development of fracking technology and a surge in oil prices led to a significant increase in oil and gas production in Texas from 2000 to 2014. However, the distribution of employment gains during this boom varied across gender, race, and ethnicity. The Texas example underscores the importance of ensuring an equitable distribution of economic benefits in energy systems, especially as governments incentivize low carbon energy initiatives.
Oil reserve estimates vary widely due to the challenges of accurately assessing …
Oil reserve estimates vary widely due to the challenges of accurately assessing oil deposits deep underground. Factors such as limited transparency, varying methodologies, and political influences contribute to the disagreements. Efforts are needed to align reserve estimates with climate goals and ensure transparency in reporting.
Students investigate how much greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide and methane) their family …
Students investigate how much greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide and methane) their family releases into the atmosphere each year and relate it to climate change. To address this, students use the Environmental Protection Agency Personal Emissions Calculator to estimate their family's greenhouse gas emissions and to think about how their family could reduce those emissions.
Coal has played a pivotal role in the United States' industrial history, …
Coal has played a pivotal role in the United States' industrial history, fueling steel production, electricity generation, and economic growth in the early 20th century. However, this legacy also comes with significant environmental and health issues, including miner health problems, landscape degradation, abandoned mines, and pollution.
The United States has played a significant role in global oil production, …
The United States has played a significant role in global oil production, contributing 17% since 1900, with Texas being a major player, accounting for one-third of the nation's oil production. Technological advancements like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling led to record U.S. oil production in the 2010s, making the country the world's largest oil producer and a net oil exporter.
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