OSHER 54 - America's Energy: How It Works, and What You Need to know

We live in a society that is defined and molded by the energy we use--and we use a lot of it--yet most people have only a simple understanding of where energy comes from and where it is used. This class sits at the intersection of science and public policy. It will provide the background you need to understand where energy comes from, how it is used, what the future holds, how and why the decisions made by legislators will affect our lives. For example, is "Clean Coal" part of our future or is it an oxymoron? How about wind and solar? What is the grid, and why should I care? Is nuclear energy safe?