B11. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster?

Green House Gas (GHG) emissions are predicted to radically change the climate. Government and the media are promoting rapid and costly reductions in GHG emissions. What does this mean? Where do GHG come from? How can they be reduced? What technology is needed to achieve that reduction? What is a workable plan for GHG reduction? Bill Gates summarized the GHG problem and the challenges in a new book: How to Avoid a Climate Disaster? Gates states “There are two numbers you need to know about climate change. The first is 51 billion, the other is zero.  51 billion is how many tons of GHG the world typically adds to the atmosphere every year. Zero is what we need to aim for!” Using the Gates book and other sources, we will look at GHSs: how they impact climate, how they are produced, the challenges to achieve reductions, and a possible plan to get there.

INSTRUCTOR: Pete Murphy retired from teaching Management in the Business Studies Department at Assumption University in 2011. He came to Assumption after a long career in the international energy industry managing a variety of business and technical organizations.

REQUIRED BOOKS: How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates

FOR THE FIRST CLASS: Not required, but to follow along read Chapters 1-3 in Gates book