Energy Systems: How They Work and Why It Matters

Speaker:  John Perkins, Member of the Faculty Emeritus, The Evergreen State College

Public opinion recognizes the risks of climate change and wants the government to do something.  Most know that means reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses, especially from fossil fuels, the major sources of carbon dioxide and methane.  At the same time, it has proven exceptionally difficult to promote the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy.  Why?  Neither the public nor elected leaders clearly understand the structure and function of modern energy systems as the backbone of modern societies. Perkins will explain a new visualization of energy systems and explain how it helps identify barriers to energy transition. This diagram alone will not magically remove barriers, but it will help the public and their leaders better understand the challenges, political and technological, of transitioning to renewable energy.