Week 8, PSC 320 Winter 2019

Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Monday’s Class :

Before Class

  • I received an anonymous letter, presumably from a student in this class, expressing appreciation for me as a human and recognizing: that I’m having a hard time, that there is widespread despair due the present state of our planet, and that practitioners in the field have commit suicide. I find it a kind proactive act to let me know that I’m valued. Thanks. I don’t know why Alex killed himself, but his family was more sad than they were surprised. So, he had some pre-existing emotional/medical challenge. However, it’s a good bet that climate change was not a contributing factor. Just the opposite. There was just too much to do about it. The people at ERG (Energy and Resources Group) are well through the 5 stages of grief and well into “how do I want to be in all this?” It is an incredibly up beat and optimistic place. In fact, no one even complained about Bush at the time, because everyone were so busy finding ways to counter his environment-damaging policies. I imagine they don’t have time now to bitch about Trump. As for me, it’s been a difficult year or so… but things are actually good. Since we’ve begun exploring other possibilities that were previously not an option, there’s been greater harmony at home. Also, I’ve found myself closer to Tekuru for which I am grateful. I also see this relief of tension that we’ve been struggling with for some time as transition to the fifth stage of acceptance. “How do I want to be in all this?” I want to learn and teach. I want to be of support to you, our students, and to our society. I want to be a good father for Tekuru, for Neil, and a good husband for Robin even if it means becoming a good X-husband. There’s lots to be done and I plan to be around for as much of it as possible. Thanks for reaching out. I find great wisdom in the last line, “it never hurts to remind people they matter.” Back at you.
  • Here is the slide from the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Hey, so I showed it to Neil (10 years old). He told me what was wrong with it.:
  • No problem set due today, but I’ll collect your midterm corrections Wednesday (copy of MT#2 on main class website). Please redo your midterms. Make sure you understand everything you missed.
  • Please see Lighting Efficiency and Slides
  • Could it be that our electricity use is decreasing???
  • Please read Jevon’s Paradox
  • Please read Helicopter Date , Yes, you may ask yourself “why did we read this?”… “what does it have to do with the previous article?” See if you can come up with a good answer. 
  • If you like this class and especially the global development facet, please consider taking a project-based class, PSC-392, Appropriate Technology for the World’s People, Development. You can find the course description on the department website. 
  • Please consider attending this mixer, for Environmental careers!

During Class

After Class

Wednesday’s Class

Before Class

After Class

  • Give me Watt meters back please.

Friday: Chris Read from SLO City Planning Visits!
E cread@slocity.org
T 805.781.7151
slocity.org 

Before Class

In Class:

  • We talk with Chris Read!
  • Hand in **Perfect** MT#2 corrections