ENR 2041 Natural Resource Consumption and Sustainability (3 credits)
| Catalog Description: |
There are four general objectives of the course:
- To expose students to current world population trends
and associated demand trends and sources of supply
for industrial raw materials.
- To examine environmental and other tradeoffs related
to various options for satisfying demands/needs for
industrial raw materials, with particular attention
to wood as an industrial material.
- To introduce the concept of global and systematic
thinking as a way of beginning to deal with complex
environmental problems.
- To provide a framework whereby students can begin
a process of critical thinking about environmental
problems and possible solutions thereto.
|
| Prerequisites: |
NA
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| Class/Laboratory Schedule: |
NA
|
| Location: |
NA
|
| Instructors: |
|
| Text: |
No text. Packet of required course readings on sale
at St. Paul Campus bookstore. Two copies of these packets
can be found in the College of Natural Resources Library,
on the bottom floor of the Natural Resources Administration
Building.
|
| Reading and CD-ROM Assignments: |
Reading assignments are indicated on the topic outline
for the course. It is important that all reading be completed
prior to the class session for which the readings are assigned.
Reading assignments not contained in the course packet
are found on the internet (see url listed with documentation),
as Pdf files on the class website, or in the reserve section
of the College of Natural Resources Library.
|
| Grading: |
The student’s final grade for the course will
be determined by the grades earned on the mid-term examination
(25%), the final examination (30%), periodic quizzes (25%),
and by class attendance and the quality of participation
in daily class discussions (20%). Quizzes (6-7 during the
semester) will always be given on Fridays and will cover
topics of class discussion, videos, and assigned readings
since the previous quiz or written examination. A minimum
grade of "C' must be obtained on each of the writing assignments
in order to achieve a passing grade in the course.
|
Course Description:
Nature of Course:
This course consists of a combination of lectures, contemporary
readings, videos, and classroom discussion sessions.
Individuals for Whom the Course is Intended:
This course is designed for students enrolled in the University
of Minnesota either within or outside of the College of Natural
Resources. Though a lower division offering, this course is suitable
for any student, regardless of class standing.
Objectives of the Course:
There are four general objectives of the course:
- To expose students to current world population trends and
associated demand trends and sources of supply for industrial
raw materials.
- To examine environmental and other tradeoffs related to various
options for satisfying demands/needs for industrial raw materials,
with particular attention to wood as an industrial material.
- To introduce the concept of global and systematic thinking
as a way of beginning to deal with complex environmental problems.
- To provide a framework whereby students can begin a process
of critical thinking about environmental problems and possible
solutions thereto.
Course Grading:
The student’s final grade for the course will be determined
by the grades earned on the mid-term examination (25%), the final
examination (30%), periodic quizzes (25%), and by class attendance
and the quality of participation in daily class discussions (20%).
Quizzes (6-7 during the semester) will always be given on Fridays
and will cover topics of class discussion, videos, and assigned
readings since the previous quiz or written examination. A minimum
grade of "C' must be obtained on each of the writing assignments
in order to achieve a passing grade in the course.
Text:
No text. Packet of required course readings on sale at St. Paul
Campus bookstore. Two copies of these packets can be found in the
College of Natural Resources Library, on the bottom floor of the
Natural Resources Administration Building.
Reading Assignments:
Reading assignments are indicated on the topic outline for the
course. It is important that all reading be completed prior to
the class session for which the readings are assigned. Reading
assignments not contained in the course packet are found on the
internet (see url listed with documentation), as Pdf files on the
class website, or in the reserve section of the College of Natural
Resources Library.
Lecture Notes:
Power point presentations used as part of class lectures will
be posted to the class web site within 24 hours of the corresponding
class session.
Course Web Site:
vista.umn.edu
In both cases you will need your X500 name and password to gain
entry.
Instructor/Office Hours:
Dr. Jim Bowyer, Room 322D Kaufert Laboratory, 8:00 - 9:00 am,
M, W. F.
(612) 624-4292
jbowyer@umn.edu
ENR 2041 - Spring 2005
Topic Outline and Reading Assignments
| Date |
Topic |
Assignment[1] |
| Jan. 19 |
Course introduction. Environmental
quiz. Introduction to world and U.S. population growth. |
|
| Jan. 21 |
Origins of concern about population growth. Population
projections. Assumptions on which projections are based. What
rate of growth is too much? |
Berreby, D. 1990. The numbers game. Discover,
April 1990, pp. 42-49.
Brown, L. 1997. Reconsidering Malthus for the 21st century. National
Press Club, Wash., D.C. |
| Jan. 24 |
The realities of compounding. Implications
of population growth. |
Schmitt, E. 2001. U.S. population
has biggest 10-year rise ever. New York Times, April
3.
Peterson, D. 2003. Minnesota is population magnet. Mpls
Star Tribune, Sept. 18, p. B-1, B-4.
Anonymous. 2002. Population boom slows in developing nations. Mpls
Star Tribune (Reprinted from New York Times), March 10. |
| Jan. 26 |
Implications of population growth. |
The
Demographic Transition.
Demographic
Transition |
| Jan. 28 |
Implications of population growth (cont.). (Video:
Sex, Lives, & Holes in the Sky). |
|
| Jan. 31 |
Strategies for slowing the rate of population
growth. The demographic transition. |
Fackler, M. 2001. In the Chinese countryside,
many baby girls ‘missing.’ Mpls Star
Tribune, Nov. 20, p. A-46.
Anonymous. 1999. Population milestone for India: on the threshold
of 1 billion. Mpls Star Tribune, August 5, p. A-15.
Stanley, Kate. 1999. India needs help of its daughters, but treats
them as liability. Mpls Star Tribune, Feb. 22, p. A-11.
Sontag, D. 2000. In Gaza Strip, population explosion puts Palestinian
officials in a tough position. Mpls Star Tribune, Feb. 25,
p. A-6.
United Nations Environment Program/World Conservation Union/World Wide
Fund for Nature. 1991. Caring for the Earth - A Strategy for Sust.
Living , pp. 43-51. |
| Feb. 2 |
U.S. and world economic growth. |
Gross
Domestic Product and Purchasing Power Parity. |
| Feb. 4 |
U.S. and world economic growth (cont.).
(Video: Econ. Prosperity Comes To China) |
Wright, F. 1996. China on the rise Mpls
Star Tribune, March 11, p. A-9.
Becker, J. 2004. China’s growing pains: more money, more
stuff, more problems. National Geographic, March, pp. 74-95. |
| Feb. 7 |
U.S. and world economic growth (cont.). (Video:
Economic Growth in India). |
Boyd, J. 1999. India's economy still
fighting off effects of Nehru's socialism. Mpls
Star Tribune, Feb. 23, p. A-13. |
| Feb. 9 |
Implications of population and economic
growth: consumption of food. |
Borlaug, N. 1998. Feeding
a world of 10 billion people: the miracle ahead.
Leisinger, K. 1996. Food
security for a growing world population: 200 years after Malthus, still
an unsolved problem.
Anonymous. 2001. UN report warns of coming water crisis. LosAngeles
Times. Reported in Mpls Star Tribune, Aug.14, p. A-5.
Schillinger, K. 2001. Physicist touts saltwater farming to "feed
billions." Boston Globe. Reprinted in Mpls Star Tribune,
March 18, p. A-4. |
| Feb. 11 |
Implications of population and economic
growth: consumption of food (cont.). |
|
| Feb. 14 |
Implications of population growth and economic
growth: consumption of energy resources in the U.S. and worldwide. |
Kerr, R. 1998. The next oil crisis
looms large – and perhaps close. Science 281
(Aug. 21), pp. 1128-1131.
Appenzeller, T. 2004. The end of cheap oil. National Geographic,
June, pp. 80-109.
Energy Information Administration. 2000. The
year of peak production – when will worldwide convention oil production
peak?
Drennen, T. and Erickson, J. 1998. Who will fuel China? Science 279
(March 6), p. 1483. |
| Feb. 16 |
Implications of population and economic
growth: consumption of energy resources in the U.S. and worldwide. |
Von Sternberg, B. 2000. Energy independence
is no longer in vogue. Mpls Star Tribune, April
3, pp. A-1, A-7.
Wampler, J.A. 2000. Coal can remain in energy equation. Mpls.
Star Tribune , May 15, p. A-11. |
| Feb. 18 |
Potential "new" sources of energy. Prospects
for reducing energy use. Energy conservation. Energy
efficient buildings. Alternative sources of energy. |
Power, M. 2003. Material world: resources
at risk – introduction. Builder, Jan.,
pp. 273-277.
Anonymous. 2004. What
is renewable energy? National Renewable Energy Laboratory. |
| Feb. 21 |
Alternative sources of energy (cont.) |
Hoff, M. 2003. Catch the wind. Minnesota Conservation
Volunteer 66 (391): 10-21.
Meersman, T. 2001. Wind farms churn-up need for power lines. Mpls
Star Tribune , pp. A-1, A-16. |
| Feb. 23 |
Environmental impacts of fossil fuel consumption.(Video:
The Apocalypse and Al Gore) |
|
| Feb. 25 |
Implications of population and economic
growth: consumption of non-renewable industrial raw materials.
Non-metallic minerals and associated products - cements,
fertilizers. Plastics. Minerals and metals. |
Brooks, D.B. and Andres, P.W. 1973.
Mineral resources, economic growth, and world population. In:
Abelson, H. and Hammond, A.L. (ed.), Materials - Renewable
and Non Renewable Resources, pp. 41-47. Am. Assoc.
for Adv. of Science, Spec. Science Compendia No. 4. |
| Feb. 28 |
Minerals and metals (cont.). Industrial
raw materials in international trade. The U.S. import/export
situation for industrial raw materials. Environmental
consequences of exploration, mining, processing, and use. |
Goodman, P. 2004. Booming China
devouring raw materials. Washington Post,
May 21, p. A01.
Brooke, J. 1998. Mining's past is celebrated, but its future is
panned. New York Times. (Reprinted in Minneapolis Star Tribune
Oct. 11, p. A 28). |
| Mar. 2 |
(Video: Mountains of Gold) |
|
| Mar. 4 |
No class. |
|
| Mar. 7 |
No class. |
|
| Mar. 9 |
Environmental consequences of minerals and
metals exploration, gathering, processing, and use (cont.). Mid-term
exam review. |
Anonymous. 1997. Australian miners
staking claims to seabed minerals for the first time. New
York Times. (Reprinted in Mpls Star Tribune, Dec.
21, p. A-8). |
| Mar. 11 |
Mid-term examination. |
|
| Mar. 14-18 |
Spring Break |
------------------------------------- |
| Mar. 21 |
Recycling as a source of industrial raw
materials. |
American Forest and Paper Association. Recovered
Paper Statistical Highlights - 2003 Edition.
Pearce, F. 1998. Burn me. New Scientist 156 (2109): 26-30.
Warren, S. 1999. The trouble with plastic. Wall Street
Journal. (Reprinted in Mpls Star Tribune, Nov. 26, pp. E-1, E-4). |
| Mar. 23 |
Recycling as a source of industrial raw
materials (cont.) |
|
| Mar. 25 |
Implications of population and economic
growth: impacts on forests and consumption of wood. An
overview of forests globally. |
Bowyer, J. L. Wood and other raw materials
for the 21st century-where will they come from? Forest Products
Journal, 45(2): 17-24. [see Pdf file on class website]
Lague, D. 2003. Asia’s forests head to China. Wall
Street Journal, December 23, p. A1. |
| Mar. 28 |
U.S. forests, wood consumption, and wood
supply situation. |
Sedjo, R.A. 1995. Forests – conflicting
signals. In: The True State of the Planet. NY:
Free Press, pp. 178 -209. [Find this reading in the Natural
Resources Library – Reserve Section] |
| Mar. 30 |
History of forest exploitation, protection,
and management in the United States. National forests,
national parks, and wilderness areas - the difference. |
MacCleery, D.W. 1992. American
Forests - a History of Resiliency and Recovery. Durham,
N.C.: Forest History Society, 58p. [This reading can be
found in the Natural Resources Library – Reserve
Section] |
| Apr. 1 |
Forestry – the fundamentals. |
|
| Apr. 4 |
The tropical deforestation problem. |
Diaz, K. 2004. Brazil – the
new breadbasket. Mpls Star Tribune, March 7,
p. A1, A12-A13.
Bowyer, J. 1997. Strategies for ensuring the survival of the tropical
forests: can logging be one of them? Forest Products
Journal 47(2): 15-24. [see Pdf file on class website]
McKenzie, G. 1999. Future in flames. Mpls Star Tribune,
Feb. 19, p. 4 A. |
| Apr. 6 |
The tropical deforestation problem (cont.) |
Anonymous. 2000. Butterflies' haven
faces new danger. Los Angeles Times (Reprinted
in Mpls Star Tribune, March 18, p. A-7). |
| Apr. 8 |
The expanding role of plantations in producing
wood raw materials and protecting natural forests. |
Bowyer, J.L. 2001. Environmental implications
of wood production in intensively managed plantations. Wood & Fiber
Sci. 33(3): 318-333. [see Pdf file on class website]
Anonymous. 2003. Study shows wood demand may lead to forest growth,
not decline. The Forestry Source, July, p. 12. |
| Apr. 11 |
The expanding role of plantations (cont.) |
|
| Apr. 13 |
Non-timber forest products . . . the concept,
the reality. |
|
| Apr. 15 |
Agriculturally derived fiber and crop residues
as raw materials. |
Bowyer, J. and Stockmann, V. 2000. Agricultural
residues – an exciting bio-based raw material for the
global panels industry. Forest Products Journal 51(1):
10-21. |
| Apr. 18 |
Seeking to balance raw material needs and
environmental protection: an examination of the U.S. forest
products industry. (Video: The Forest Wars) |
Bosworth, D. 2003. Fires and forest
health: our future is at stake. Renewable Resources
Journal 21(1): 6-10. |
| Apr. 20 |
Seeking to balance raw material needs and
environmental protection (cont.). |
Dekker-Robinson, D. and Libby, W. 1998. American
forest policy - global ethical tradeoffs. Bioscience 48(6):
471-477.
Berlik, M., Kittredge, D. and Foster, D. 2002. The Illusion
of Preservation – a Global Environmental Argument for Local Production
of Natural Resources. Harvard University, Harvard Forest Paper
No. 26. [see Pdf file on class website]
Bowyer, J. 1995. The Clinton forest plan: a model for environmental
planning? Forest Perspectives 5(1): 18-19. |
| Apr. 22 |
Systematically assessing the environmental
impacts associated with raw materials extraction, conversion,
and use: life cycle inventory (LCI) and life cycle analysis
(LCA). |
Lippke, B., J. Wilson, J. Perez-Garcia,
J. Bowyer, and J. Meil. 2004. CORRIM: Life cycle environmental
performance of renewable building materials. Forest Products
Journal 54(6): 8-19. [see Pdf file on class website] |
| Apr. 25 |
Assessing the environmental impacts associated
with raw materials extraction, conversion, and use (cont.). Providing
a basis for environmentally conscious consumption. The
U.S. Database Project/ forest certification programs. |
Buchanan, A.H. and Levine, S.B. 1999. Wood-based
building materials and atmospheric carbon emissions. Env.
Science and Policy 2: 427-437. |
| Apr. 27 |
Consumption - U.S. and worldwide. Environmental
impacts of consumption. |
Durning, A. 1998. The secret life of an
everyday thing. Outdoor America 63(1): 20-24.
Bielski, V. 1996. Shopper, spare that tree! Sierra, Jul/Aug, pp.
38-41, 64-66.
Durning, A.T. Long on things. Sierra, Jan./Feb., pp.
60-62, 139-143. |
| Apr. 29 |
Consumption (cont.). Possibilities
of limiting consumption. |
Ehrbar, A. 2002. Consumption
tax. Concise Encyclopedia of Economics.
Strigel, M. and Meine, C. 2001. Intelligent
Consumption Project Report. Wisconsin Academy of Sciences,
pp. iii-vi, 1-18.
Bowyer, J. 2003. Consumption and the Sustainability Equation. Oregon
State University College of Forestry, Starker Lecture Series, November
7. |
| May 2 |
Separating fact from fiction. Assessing
various points of view. Learning to think systematically. |
Stauder, J. 1995. Changing course
- teaching both sides of env. issues. Liberal Ed.,
Summer, pp. 36-41.
Bowyer, J. 1995. Fact vs. perception. Forest Products Journal
45 (11/12): 17-24. [see Pdf file on class website]
MacCleery, D. 1996. When is a landscape natural? The Minnesota
Volunteer, Sept./Oct., pp. 42-52. |
| May 4 |
How to provide for expanding populations
while protecting the environment. Seeking to ensure
sustainability. |
Carter, J. 2002. Challenges for humanity – a
beginning. National Geographic, Feb., pp. 2-3.
Francis, D. J. 2000. A simple light bulb offers better way of life
in African villages. Minneapolis Star Tribune, February
20, p. A-20. |
| May 6 |
How to provide for expanding populations
while protecting the environment. Seeking to ensure
sustainability (cont.). |
United Nations Environment Program/World
Conservation Union/World Wide Fund for Nature. Caring
for the Earth - A Strategy for Sustainable Living, pp.
8-12, 43-51.
World Commission on Environment and Development. 1987. From
One Earth to One World - an Overview. Oxford University Press,
pp. 1-23.
Moore, P. 2000. Environmentalism for the 21st century. Greenspirit. |
| Thursday, May 13, 10:30am - 12:30pm |
Final Examination |
|
[1] Some
of the assigned readings (i.e. for Mar. 29 and 31) can be found
in the Reserve Section of the CNR/Forestry Library, B-50 NRAB.
|
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