In a time of widespread retrenchment in higher education, sustainability is one of the few areas of real growth. The reason is simple: the world faces serious challenges for which traditional scientific and scholarly excellence is necessary but not sufficient. Problems related to energy, the environment, and economic development are interdependent and interconnected, transcending individual disciplines. The science and engineering needed to develop clean technologies cannot be separated from the ecological study of Earth’s integrated human and natural systems or from the social science of human behavior and well-being. -Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future
I take the quote from Cornell’s ACSF because it sums up very well what I see when I look at my future and the world’s future. The big picture for me involves dealing with the challenges of energy, environment, and society – how do we grow and adapt with all that is going on in the world? World population continues it’s exponential rise, fossil fuels are running out, water resources dwindle, and there are no “New Worlds” left to discover; we’re having to deal with the limitations of the planet. That is the backdrop. This site focuses ‘mostly’ on the energy aspect of it, because that is what I particularly would like to specialize in.
What is this site? It is my attempt to further my own understanding of such issues, and ideally to help provide context for others to further their own understanding of such matters. I also have…
- Twitter to help me keep track of the constant flow of developments
- Facebook to encourage discussion and reach out on another platform
Who are you? I’m a student preparing for a degree in nanoscience, and potentially graduate studies in the field of energy, resources, and sustainable development. I studied International Relations, focusing on the global political economy, at the State University of New York at Geneseo. Since 2008 I have been doing serious academic research in fields like international relations, economics & development, and energy. I am not sponsored or commissioned by a political group or industry.
How does this site work? This site ultimately contains case studies, writings, articles, essays, reports, and other material. I will try to organize them into intelligible and navigable content types – Editorials, Case Studies, etc. And I also aim to create resources for others to do their own research, as well as encourage discernment and literacy in world issues.
Who is your audience? It is broad; I have shown professors my writings here, and I have also shown my friends. I realize some of the things I cover will be somewhat technical, but one of my founding principles is that I want to promote a greater understanding of important issues influencing the world. I welcome comments from everyone and every level of understanding – I want to learn as much as I can, too.
If you have any further questions or comments, write them below or anywhere else you see a comment box on this site.
I hope you enjoy your visit.
- Jesse
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