Air Pollution and Climate Change

EOS Alliance presents:
Air Pollution and Climate Change
Introduction to Science, Policy and Technology
Course ID: SUST-409
January 23, 2009, 9 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
REI-Downtown Seattle, South Room
222 Yale Ave N | Seattle, WA 98109

Instructor: Brian W. Doyle, PhD, PE

Due to low enrollment this class has been cancelled.

Course Catalog

This course is intended as an introduction and overview of climate change, and associated effects, caused by human activities - primarily deforestation and combustion of fossil fuel. It covers five main subject areas: 1) The greenhouse effect-Understanding the basics, 2) Human generated greenhouse gases (GHG), 3) Options for controlling greenhouse gas emissions, 4) Climate changes - past, present and projected, 5) Organized efforts to track and reduce GHG emissions.

Most of the course focuses on the science of climate change - things we know with confidence versus areas of uncertainty. Some aspects - temperature increases and a rising ocean level - were predicted many years ago although the time scales were unknown. Other things such as the change in ocean chemistry, the speed of some changes, and the response of natural systems that amplify the effects of human GHG emissions are relatively recent discoveries.

Course Topics:

8:30 Registration

8:45 - 10:00
1.0 Introduction and Overview
1.1 Greenhouse Effect, the Atmospheric Blanket
1.2 The Greenhouse Gases
1.3 Gas Concentrations and Greenhouse Intensity
1.4 Primary Sources
1.5 Time Scales

10:00 - 11:00
2.0 CO2 and Methane - Man's Contribution
2.1 Carbon and Energy Coupling
2.2 Fossil Fuel versus Bio Fuel
2.3 GHG Emission Rates
2.4 Aerosols

11:15 - 12:00
3.0 GHG Control Methods and Technologies
3.1 Perspective on Fuel and Energy
3.2 Calculating CO2 Emissions

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch Break

1:00 - 2:00
3.3 Reducing Energy Use
3.4 Carbon Sequestration
3.5 Implementation Issues

2:00 -3:00
4.0 Climate Change
4.1 Climate History
4.2 Modeling and Predicting Climate Change
4.3 Probable and Possible Effects
4.3.1 Temperatures and Rainfall
4.3.2 Sea Level Rise
4.3.3 Biology
4.3.4 Tipping points

3:00 - 4:00
5.0 Limiting Climate Change
5.1 Concepts for Reducing GHG Emissions
5.2 Government and Private Initiatives
5.2.1 National & International
5.2.2 Regional Programs
5.2.3 Local and Private Initiatives

4:00 - 4:30 Q/A + discussion
Adjourn

Intended Audience: Introductory Level. The course is mainly oriented towards government agency staff or others with a need or desire to know more about climate change.

About the Instructor: Dr. Doyle is a consulting engineer - self employed for more than twenty years. He earned his doctorate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Astronautical Sciences at Northwestern University. He has many years of engineering/consulting experience in: Air Pollution Control, Combustion and Thermal Processing and Solid Waste Management and Recycling. He has designed complete systems and has modified existing systems to resolve environmental and process problems. He has been successful at working with unique "one-of-a-kind" or "first-of-a-kind" systems. Much of his career involved work in fossil fueled power plants.

Dr. Doyle's work in air pollution education began with occasional lectures to supplement courses offered by EPA's Air Pollution Training Institute (APTI) through Rutgers University. Over the years this expanded - first to offering a three day course on combustion emissions and then to several courses centered on air pollution. The students are nearly all air regulatory staff from one or more states and evaluations consistently rate the presentations as very good or excellent. In the Fall of 2007 CenSARA circulated a request for a course on climate change. Dr. Doyle developed a one day course that he has presented ten times in the past eight months. It has been very well received.

What to Bring: Pen or pencil, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the prevailing weather. Drinks and snacks will be provided each day.

Registration: $145/$125* Reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees, and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members) Non-profits/students: $95. You may register online or by calling EOS Alliance at 206-762-1976.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the event and 50 percent refundable (or 100% credit) thereafter up to 3 business days prior to the event. No refunds are issued for cancellations occurring less than 3 business days before the start day. Course registration fees and cancellation policy are subject to change without notice.

Disability Accommodations: To request disability accommodations, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or (206) 762-1976 at least 30 days prior to the event.