New sources of energy are at the center of debate between politicians, scientists, corporations and the public. The topic soon will be brought into clearer focus through the “The Future of Energy and the Environment” lecture series hosted by the University of Houston’s Future Studies Program.

This 10-part lecture series is open to the community and will be conducted 6 – 7 p.m. on Tuesdays starting Sept. 11 in Room 101 of UH’s Cameron Building. For more information about the lecture series or registration, contact Beatriz Arnillas at 713-743-4637 or visit tech.uh.edu/futureweb/events/Future_of_Energy_Index.html.

“This series will offer a better understanding of the alternative futures in the oil and other energy industries along with the consequences for climate change,” said Peter Bishop, UH associate professor of strategic foresight.

Speakers include Garry Golden, futurist; John Calaway, chief development officer for Babcock and Brown; Jim Lester, vice president of Houston Advanced Research Center; and Barry Lefer, assistant professor of geosciences.

The schedule of lectures is as follows:

• Sept. 11: The History of Energy Use in Human Civilization
• Sept. 18: Current Energy Production and Consumption in the U.S. and Around the World
• Sept. 25: Oil, Gas and their Derivatives – Past, Present and Future
• Oct. 2: The Peak Oil Debate – How Close Are We?
• Oct. 9: Electricity Production – Fossil, Nuclear and Renewables
• Oct. 16: Hydrogen and the Dawn of Electron Energy – Transportation and Portable Power
• Oct. 23: The Economics and Politics of Energy- Consumers and Cartels
• Oct. 30: Energy Emissions and Greenhouse Gases
• Nov. 6: Climate Change and Global Warming – The Evidence and the Future
• Nov. 13: Slowing the Growth and Mitigating the Effects of Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change, including a section of Houston after oil.

About the Futures Studies program at the University of Houston
The UH Futures Studies program prepares professional futurists for work in business, government, education and the non-profit sector. Courses include Systems Thinking, Social Change, Forecasting, Strategic Planning and World Futures. Graduates employ the tools and techniques of long-term forecasting and planning to help their employers and clients anticipate and influence change to achieve their preferred future. Additional information about the program is available at http://tech.uh.edu/futureweb/.

About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.