Instructor: A. Meuwissen

A survey of the origin, distribution, and exploitation of energy (e.g., petroleum, methane, coal, uranium) and mineral (e.g., metal, gem, agricultural fertilizer) resources throughout the world. The dependence of industrialized nations upon Earth's energy and mineral resources is at the root of many national economies as well as many of the major environmental and geopolitical conflicts of our time. Future economic and population growth are certain to multiply demands for Earth resources, a fact that urges that there be an educated citizenry capable of making databased decisions regarding their availability and utilization. Related topics include shrinking resource reserves, environmental degradation, and the relative merits of various resource strategies. Prerequisites: GE101 or 102 or 207.