GEOG/EME 432
Energy Policy

2: The Future is Local

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Hands surrounding a globe with the slogan 'Think Globally, Act Locally'
Credit: Photos.com

International and national efforts to mitigate climate change are making little headway. In response to this painfully slow progress and because of concerns about the local impacts of climate change, states, communities, colleges, churches, businesses, and other entities are addressing climate change directly by developing local mitigation plans. This lesson examines local mitigation: first, by presenting an overview of local GHG emissions sources and, second, by describing important actors involved in local mitigation efforts. It finishes by commenting on the two readings assigned to this lesson.

About this Lesson

By the end of this Lesson, you should be able to:

  • understand that each locale has a different GHG emissions profile, but recognize that nearly every place has important contributions from energy use, transportation, waste disposal, and land use;
  • know that local energy use is complex and varies with the specific type of user;
  • discuss several ways that industrial, residential, and commercial practices contribute to local GHG emissions;
  • discuss how local governments, universities, businesses, and environmental, social, and faith-based organizations are each leading local efforts to mitigate GHG emissions;

What is due this week?

This lesson will take us one week to complete. Please refer to the Calendar in Canvas for specific assignments, time frames and due dates.

Questions?

If you have questions, please feel free to post them to the "Ask a question about the lesson?" discussion forum in Canvas. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses if you, too, are able to help a classmate.