ENVIRON 155Energy and Society in Time of Climate Change: Moving toward Just Transition

Introduction to energy systems and their regulatory infrastructure, with focus on U.S. and California. History of field of energy including rise of coal mining, development of petroleum both in U.S. and Middle East, and enrollment of public lands for extraction or collection of energy from fossil deposits and flows. Examination of concept of energy and differences between energy and power. Focus on understanding contemporary energy system, different sources of energy, how energy is transmitted and distributed, and regulatory infrastructure that has arisen around this vast and essential system that provides electricity and natural gas for most commercial and domestic activities. Discussion of challenges and opportunities in current transition away from fossil fuels and progress of just transition in California.

P/NP or letter grading.