The Climate, Energy and Environment (CEE) Series offers events that showcase research in alternative energy sources and fuels, the impact of climate change and environmental tragedies on Earth, and the conservation and sustainability of the Earth’s resources.
Previous CEE events have covered biofuels, climate change, solar energy, Chicago’s water supply, CO2 storage, and research in the Arctic.
Distinguished speakers have included former Under Secretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy Steve Koonin, Ph.D.; Maria Zuber, Ph.D., Chair of the National Science Board and Vice President for Research and E.A. Griswold Professor of Geophysics, MIT; and Kelly Kenison Falkner, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Polar Programs, U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and Director of the U.S. Antarctic Program.
Abstract:
The dependence on oil and other fossil fuels for over 80% of our energy and the continued emission of carbon dioxide threatening stable climate are captured in a single term: sustainability. Although we generally agree that sustainability is valuable, there is less agreement on how much sustainability is necessary or desirable. Continue reading “Sustainable Energy: Fact or Fiction”
Abstract:
Fracking is a step in the production of gas and oil by the high pressure fragmentation of shale using water, sand and chemicals. Using fracking to produce shale oil and shale gas has the potential to make the United States largely independent of foreign sources of natural gas and significantly less dependent on foreign sources of oil. Continue reading “FRACKING – the quest for energy independence”
The Chicago Council on Science and Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology present a luncheon panel discussion on the challenges concerning Chicago’s water. Invasive species have destroyed the balance of the Great Lakes ecosystem and threaten further environmental and economic hardship. Continue reading “Chicago’s Water: Protecting Our Precious Resource”
A nuclear explosive device detonated in an American city would cause catastrophic loss of life and long-term economic damage. Such event is not likely, at present, but the threat may increase. Continue reading “Nuclear Non-Proliferation”
The U.S. Department of Energy´s goals for meeting America´s energy challenges involve energy security; reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions; and promoting changes in energy supply, transmission, storage, and use. And even within those challenges lies another: energy change can be slow. Continue reading “America’s Energy Challenges with Dr. Steve Koonin, Under Secretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy”
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and The Chicago Council on Science and Technology will host a panel discussion on the crisis in Japan. The world’s eyes are on Japan as it struggles to recover from the largest recorded earthquake in its history. Continue reading “Japan’s State of Nuclear Emergency”
