Week 1: Overview of Sustainability in a...

An NSF Science and Technology Center SAHRA 1

Intro Page SCI 422/522

Research Trends & Updates for Science/Math Teachers:

The Science of Sustainability in the Southwest

Week 1: Overview of

Sustainability in a Desert

15 September 2010

Flandrau Science Center


Course mechanics and schedule

• tuition rebate

• sign in for professional development credit

• starting time preference - 5:30 or 6:00?

• where we will meet - planetarium or mezzanine

• office hours location


Introductions – who we are

Brief bio

Grades taught

• 9-12 54%

• 6-8 17%

• 4-5 8%

• 1-3 25%

• Pre-k & K 8%

Subjects taught

• earth/envir sci 68%

• biology 50%

• chemistry 36%

• physics 27%

• elementary 20%

On average, you teach 2 science fields


Introductions – who we are cont.

• Two-thirds are involved in science clubs, Aca Deca, Mesa, Odyssey of the Mind

• Two-thirds have taught more than 10 years


Introductions – who we are cont.

Interest in topics (high to low)

• sustainable homes

• solar energy for power and heat

• water harvesting and reuse

• renewable energy sources and energy storage

• water/energy nexus

• biofuels including algae

• sustainable vehicles

You know the most about water harvesting and reuse.


Written exercise

Key terminology: What do the following words mean to you?

• Sustainable

• Renewable

• Conservation

What key role can science and technology play in moving society towards sustainability in the desert Southwest?

How does science and technology sometimes complicate or thwart efforts to achieve a more sustainable society? Examples?


Why so hard to define?

Complexity in pinning down sustainability is due in large part to the fact that we are not in a fixed or steady state.

We have to define sustainability consistent with:

• growing population

• changing values

• evolving technology

• changing climate


Sample definitions:

• Manage the use of a resource so it can meet human demands of the present generation without decreasing opportunities for future generations.

• Development that is socially desirable, economically viable, ecologically sustainable

• Live within limits.

• Maintain over time a constant effective natural resource base

• The stock of resources should not decline


Sample definitions, cont:

• Exploit renewable resources.

• Can a region’s agricultural and industrial activities continue indefinitely?

• Per capita utility or well-being is increasing over time subject to non-declining natural wealth.

• Improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems.

• Treating the earth as if we intended to stay.

Population growth vs. per capita consumption - breaking the consumption/standard of living link


Why do we care about sustainability?

There are multiple motives, including:

• Generational equity

• Environmental stewardship

• National security concerns

• Insecurity in the face of accelerating change, including climate change

• Desire for independence from utilities, government, market fluctuations

• Fascination with technology


Accounting stance – sustainable in what?

The dimensions include:

• energy

• water

• food and fiber

• land use

• basic industry

The role of economics, basic industry employment is critical.


What is the basis of our economy?

• Basic industry jobs, “exports”, include:

• mining

• agriculture

• tourism

• Education

• national defense

• Retirees

How is it changing over time?


Future economic basis

Are there really significant numbers of green jobs ahead?

Recent headlines: • Sun to provide one-third of D-M’s electricity

• Global Solar rolls out new rooftop solar panel

• Stimulus funds put solar power to work at Tucson VA hospital

• Mesa-based solar school is expanding to Tucson


What is “sustainability” in a desert?

Definition of desert, arid region:

• Lack of precipitation

• Evaporation, transpiration exceed precipitation – moisture deficit

• Great temperature swings

• Large amounts of sunshine


Why focus on water and energy?

• food and fiber are global markets, water and energy are local to regional

• previous civilizations have succumbed to droughts, water mismanagement

• major impact of climate change is water

• indirect impact of climate change (efforts to mitigate) is driving renewable energy sources, and we dominate in solar and geothermal

• state PUC mandates


Stressors include:

• population growth

• changes in per capita consumption rates

• land use changes

• climate change


Climate change impacts on Southwest:

• warmer

• intensified hydrologic cycle globally, not clear locally

• more floods AND more droughts

• massive landcover changes

• less snowpack, less water storage as snow

• greater flood risk means we need lower reservoir levels

• less hydropower due to loss in both flow and head

• less energy demand in winter, more energy demand in summer


Break!


The role of science in seeking sustainability

We are not Doc Brown

Popular culture portrays science as an activity:

• performed by lone, eccentric, socially impaired geniuses

• producing a machine or process (engineering, not science)

Reality is science as:

• team efforts, building on the work of others

• with few “Eureka!” moments and more “What the heck?” moments


The role of UA science in seeking sustainability

World-class in:

• hydrology and water resources

• climate change research, esp. paleoclimatology

• optical sciences


300 water professionals

9 Water Centers and Institutes

10 field sites and research facilities

28 water-related degree programs


Looking at the future, dimly

“The future aint what it used to be.”

-Yogi Berry

Tools for planning include:

• projections

• forecasts

• indicators

• scenarios

• alternative futures


Week 2 Water / Energy Nexus

• Water for energy challenges

– Thermal energy and the cooling tower problem

– CO2 sequestration issues

• Energy for water challenges

– Sources vs. energy needs – an ugly trend

– Treatment of water and wastewater

• Areas of conflict involving conservation

– On-demand hot water

– Landscaping and utility bills

• Areas of synergistic conservation

– Hot water and winning 3 ways

– Multi-use facilities


Week 3 Biofuels

• Shortcomings of corn, soy, local sugar cane

• Promise of cellulosic sources

• Potential of algae & technical challenges

• The UA role in developing a systems approach for algae-based fuels


Week 4 Sustainable Homes

• Building green structures & LEED standards

• The “McMansion” effect

• Retrofitting existing homes

• What is a “smart home”?

• Economics of conserving energy and water

Tour of UA solar home


Week 5 Water Harvesting and Water Reuse

What is the potential for water harvesting?

• Historical role

• Water budget calculation

• Costs and pay-back periods

Where are we on water reuse and recycling?

• Matching supplies and demands

• The fear of “toilet to tap”

Tour of TNC demonstration site


Week 6 Sustainable Transportation

What is the future of personal transportation?

• Electric, hybrid cars

• Alternatives to cars

• Advances in mass transit

• Changes in aviation

Examine 4 electric vehicles


Week 7 Solar Energy for Power and Heat

• Problems of concentrated solar - land and water impacts

• Potential of photo-voltaics, including work on:

• Crystals, polycrystals & thin films

• Holographic mirrors

• Integrating PV into building materials

• Concentrated PV with large mirrors

• Systematic testing for reliability, durability


Week 8 Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Storage

• Issues of reliability, continuity with solar, wind

• Smart Grid

• Myriad approaches to storing energy for minutes, hours, days

– Batteries

– Flywheels

– Pumped hydro

– Compressed air

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