Energy Ethics

This is a collection of resources generated and gathered by the NSF supported Energy Ethics in Science and Engineering (EESE) Education partnership.  It includes two bibliographies as well as teaching tools and general organizational information. This is a work in progress so check back often for more resources.

The materials gathered here are supported in part by a National Science Foundation collaborative award to the National Academy of Engineering (1032966, co-PI Rachelle Hollander) and Arizona State University (1033082, co-PI Clark Miller). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

 
 
  • Energy Ethics in Science and Engineering Education: EESE Collaborative Research

    (Web Page on this Site)

    This collaboration of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and Arizona State University (ASU) examines energy ethics issues that concern the responsible conduct of science and engineering and also those that arise in the interactions of science, engineering, technology, and society.

  • Workshop Notes on Energy Ethics in Science and Engineering Education

    (Web Page on this Site)

    Notes from the September 12, 2011, meeting of the Energy Ethics in Science and Engineering Education project at the Keck Building of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). This page identifies issues and comments from the meeting that appear to deserve further consideration.

  • Energy Use Ethics in Engineered Projects Bibliography

    (Web Page on this Site) Bibliography

    This bibliography covers the ethics of energy use in agriculture, community planning, construction, electricity delivery, manufacturing, transportation, and the home. It also includes a list of relevant centers and web sites.

  • Energy Production Ethics Bibliography

    (Web Page on this Site) Bibliography

    This bibliography addresses general issues of energy production along with specific articles about Biofuels, Carbon Capture and Storage, Conservation, Fuel Cells, Geothermal Energy, Hydrogen, Hydroelectric Power, Nuclear Power, Solar Power, Tidal and Wave Power, and Wind Power.

  • Fukushima and the inevitability of accidents

    (Web Page on Another Site)

    This article by Charles Perrow appeared in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in November of 2011. It discusses the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in March of 2001 and examines the ability of government and business to prevent such accidents in the future. The author concludes that, "some complex systems with catastrophic potential are just too dangerous to exist, because they cannot be made safe, regardless of human effort."

  • HVAC Design Problem

    (Web Page on this Site) Numerical Case

    As an engineer for an energy consulting company, you determine which materials should be used in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning of buildings. Ethical issues arise when the contractor's designs fail to meet California Energy Standards.

  • Three Teaching Case Studies of Accidents in Nuclear Energy Development in Japan

    (Web Page on this Site) Historical Case

    An essay describing three historical Japanese cases and their use in the development of ethics education in Japan.

Cite this page: "Energy Ethics" Online Ethics Center for Engineering 8/8/2011 National Academy of Engineering Accessed: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 <www.onlineethics.org/Topics/Enviro/Energy.aspx>



Related CEES Projects
  • Climate Change Educational Partnership (CCEP)

    An award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) (Award #1043289) to the US National Academy of Engineering establishes a Phase I Climate Change Education Partnership (CCEP) in collaboration with Arizona State University, Museum of Science-Boston, University of Virginia, Colorado School of Mines, and the Phoenix Union High School District.