This course focuses on two major components of understanding the modern energy-climate dilemma: fossil fuels and the changing climate. Class sessions explore the history, methods, economic challenges, and environmental implications of fossil fuel production and usage around the world, particularly as it relates to our current climate concerns. Students will also gain an understanding of the natural processes responsible for both climate and weather, what rock and ice records tell us about paleoclimate, how we know that modern climate changes differ from natural cycles, and also what possible solutions exist.

This course focuses on two major components of understanding the modern energy-climate dilemma: fossil fuels and the changing climate. Class sessions explore the history, methods, economic challenges, and environmental implications of fossil fuel production and usage around the world, particularly as it relates to our current climate concerns. Students will also gain an understanding of the natural processes responsible for both climate and weather, what rock and ice records tell us about paleoclimate, how we know that modern climate changes differ from natural cycles, and also what possible solutions exist.