Back to Our Energy Future
University of California San Diego

Our Energy Future

This course is designed to introduce students to the issues of energy in the 21st century – including food and fuels – which are inseparably linked – and will discuss energy production and utilization from the biology, engineering, economics, climate science, and social science perspectives. This course will cover the current production and utilization of energy, as well as the consequences of this use, examining finite fossil energy reserves, how food and energy are linked, impacts on the environment and climate, and the social and economic impacts of our present energy and food production and use. After the introductory lectures, we will examine the emerging field of sustainable energy, fuel and food production, emphasizing the importance of developing energy efficient and sustainable methods of production, and how these new technologies can contribute to replacing the diminishing supplies of fossil fuels, and reduce the consequences of carbon dioxide release into the environment. This course will also cover the importance of creating a sustainable energy future for all societies including those of the developing world. Lectures will be prepared and delivered by leading UC San Diego and Scripps Institution of Oceanography faculty and industry professionals across these areas of expertise.

Status: Pollution Prevention
Status: Environmental Science
Course39 hours

Featured reviews

MH

5.0Reviewed Mar 18, 2020

A very interesting course that really does explain all the renewable energies in great detail and what effect our civilisation is having on the planet.

LK

5.0Reviewed Jul 6, 2019

Even though without scientific background, I found this course simply brilliant. Pragmatic, with much data on the future sources of energy that I hope will replace fossil fuels...

DG

5.0Reviewed Jul 12, 2020

Excellent content of the course. Only one suggestion Please upgrade the course as its almost 8 years old data . The renewable energy science has changed a lot in this 8 years.

AO

5.0Reviewed Dec 1, 2019

It was a very helpful course! I didn't knew a lot about biofuels, so it was very complementary with the knowledge I already had about other technologies and their sustainable development.

MA

5.0Reviewed Oct 31, 2020

You get taught by highly qualified lecturers and focus mainly on key themes such as renewable energy sources and climate change. I recommend this course to all professionals!

JJ

5.0Reviewed Oct 30, 2016

Great learning experience! Easy way to get an idea of the work that is being done to better our lives in the future in terms of energy. Very interesting lectures and would highly recommend it.

SA

4.0Reviewed Oct 18, 2022

V​ery comprehensive course. The level and weight of the lecturers is really admirable. I learned a lot from it. It could use more visuals though.

AR

4.0Reviewed Dec 26, 2017

Course is very tough and seeks too much of time. Asking too many question individual week and also posted plenty of questions each week. This course is not for the beginners.

IG

5.0Reviewed Apr 24, 2016

An excellent course for environmentally conscious individuals interested in the different options we have to create a 100% renewable energy future.

NF

4.0Reviewed Jul 19, 2020

It was a very good course. A lot of topics very important to understand and know about energy, renewables and others issues related to this topic. Thanks

JL

5.0Reviewed Jan 1, 2019

A very thorough survey of clean energy options, with an emphasis on bio-fuels. Numerous lectures by leading experts in their respective fields. Very well done.

EB

4.0Reviewed Apr 4, 2019

Good overview of some of the efforts made towards alternative energies as well as the trends and status of the current energy industry. Well composed with some considerable insight.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 319

Chase Schwalbach
1.0
Reviewed Jan 9, 2020
Olve Maudal
4.0
Reviewed Jun 9, 2019
Aleksandra Visich
5.0
Reviewed Nov 21, 2019
Vibushan A
5.0
Reviewed Apr 3, 2020
David Delorme
5.0
Reviewed Nov 26, 2015
Juan
5.0
Reviewed Oct 30, 2016
Ankit Moldgy
5.0
Reviewed Sep 29, 2016
vinod pillai
3.0
Reviewed Jan 28, 2018
Michael Blonsky
2.0
Reviewed Dec 29, 2016
Abang Ashaari
5.0
Reviewed Jan 15, 2016
Agatha Soful
5.0
Reviewed Sep 28, 2015
Zulfiqar Ali
5.0
Reviewed Oct 21, 2018
Naresh Rodrigo
5.0
Reviewed Jul 30, 2020
Mallika Jain
5.0
Reviewed Apr 21, 2020
Heng Wei Chong
5.0
Reviewed Jul 21, 2020
Adarsh
5.0
Reviewed Nov 19, 2016
Yaroslav Kovalenko
5.0
Reviewed Feb 11, 2018
Thaney Alamo
5.0
Reviewed May 7, 2017
Daria Barsuk
5.0
Reviewed Apr 23, 2021
Sebastian arrese
5.0
Reviewed Dec 16, 2015