Ethical Dimensions of Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems

Catalog description

BIOET 533 will provide students with an understanding of the ethical dimensions of renewable energy and sustainability systems and with skills to analyze related case studies. Case studies that will be considered are grounded in topics relevant to the sourcing and generation of energy across political-economic development contexts, including the use of sustainability indicators. Energy related topics include everything from traditional fossil fuels to renewables such as wind, solar, and biofuels. Students study responsible conduct of research (RCR) and professional ethics, in the commercial and academic context of applications in the area of renewable energy and sustainability systems, as well as examine the ethical dimensions of broader public and environmental impacts, and embedded values in research and analysis in this field. The course will provide for ethical analyses of knowledge generation and communication issues such as: selection of research questions; selection of datasets and parameters; determination of system boundaries; procedural considerations in decision making processes; methods of analysis; risk assessments and communication; influence of scientific research on policy outcomes; and, how to critically evaluate the use of scientific evidence and expertise when making and communicating arguments. Some lessons/modules will focus more on ethical issues encountered in practice, while other modules will provide examples that will impact overall ethical literacy and awareness of social and ethical impacts relevant to renewable energy and sustainability systems research and its numerous applications.