180.651.01 ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Examines why energy policy choices are so important to human health and well-being. Explores how the impacts of energy exploration, generation, and usage patterns are tied directly to economic prosperity, the condition of the environment, the health of the population, and even aspects of national and international security, for developed as well as developing nations. Discusses and presents potential solutions to the three biggest energy challenges: (1) meeting the basic energy needs of the world s poorest people in a more healthful manner, (2) de-carbonizing electricity generation, and (3) reducing oil dependence. Emphasizes that energy is the core of the environment problem and environment is the core of the energy problem.

This course will prepare you to be able to do the following: 1. Define the basic linkages between energy impacts and public health; 2. Identify the principal negative impacts associated with energy exploration, generation, and consumption in developing as well as developed countries; 3. Distinguish between potentially valid and overly hyped claims about energy performance, energy impacts, or energy technologies; 4. Assess a range of policy choices for reducing the impacts of energy consumption on public health.