Special Topics in Astronomy: A Cosmic Perspective on the Sustainability of Human Civilization

Catalog description

This course provides an overview from a cosmic perspective of the challenges facing humanity in the development of a sustainable lifestyle on Earth. We survey the history of humanity’s impact on the Earth’s mineral and biological resources, and consider problems posed by the exponential rise of some of these impacts. Limits to growth are explored, as are the reduction of impacts that can occur with human behavior more aligned with the finite nature of the Earth’s resources. The prospects of human colonization of other bodies in the solar system, galaxy, and universe are examined.