Climate Change Part 2: Regional Energy

I threw a lot at you guys on Tuesday morning. Sorry about that. That "performance" was a combination of viral hangover, sleep deprivation, and trying to get about an hours worth of discussion into thirty minutes. (A note to all you clock watchers, I know it's right above my head and I can see y'all checking it out. Remember, the hands don't move any faster if you look at them every 60 seconds!)

In the tradition of a "play within a play" (a bonus point for whoever can tell me when that device was first used), I wanted to offer a "post within a post". The three points below are the meat of our second week on climate change. We'll get to work first thing Wednesday morning.

1) Get the basic information on the availability, technology, economics/politics, and environmental issues surrounding non-renewable and renewable energy.
2) Draft a regional energy policy prospectus that takes climate and resource availability into account.
3) Design an advertisement or presentation and pitch a “green energy” or renewable energy company in the region you’ve been assigned.

For objective one, don't reinvent the wheel. I've got these great things called "text books" in the room. Miller's Living In The Environment isn't perfect, but he does a great job outlining the basic science of energy and digests the important points on renewable and non renewable resources. I would start with Miller, then jump to the web for more focused information on regional energy resources.

You know what would be cool? Contact some of your friends and/or alums from ASFA living in the region you are researching and get their take on regional energy issues. Ask them about bottom-up (and top-down) energy movements.

Happy researching. Remember, if you don't know, ask.