The U.S. Department of Energy says Americans aren’t accepting climate change as truth, and that puts us behind the 8-ball. But, a University of Alumnus says science continues to advance.
William Brinkman is the director of the Office of Science for the Department of Energy — he earned his bachelor’s at M.U. in 1960 and a Ph.D. in physics in ’65. Brinkman visited the university physics department to present an overview of man-made climate changes, along with a summary of the major sources and uses of energy in the U.S.
He says Americans resist the need for reducing carbon emissions, despite clear scientific evidence that global warming is a reality. Brinkman says the U.S. is unique in that we are also the only country that politicizes the issue.
Brinkman says in an unpoliticized effort, America is working with the E.U., China, Russia, South Korea, India and Japan on a huge renewable project in France. It involves a plasma reactor and is the first of its kind. France has long been a leader in nuclear technology.
He says trapping carbon can already be done, but the cost is prohibitive to common-sense implementation. Therefore, he says, the Department of Energy continues its research.
Brinkman presented evidence of climate change, alternatives being explored and a timeline of when something must happen to prevent irreversible damage to the earth.
All science aside, Brinkman sums it up thusly: “I think the issue is what are we doing for our children and our next generation” — Are we going to do the things that make sure they have a better place to live? It’s a very important concept to consider. We want our kids to have and live the life we’ve been living, which is very nice.”
Mission
BER advances world-class biological and environmental research programs and scientific user facilities to support DOE’s energy, environment, and basic research missions. Mission priorities:
- Develop biofuels as a major secure national energy resource
- Understand relationships between climate change and Earth’s ecosystems, and assess options for carbon sequestration
- Predict fate and transport of subsurface contaminants
- Develop new tools to explore the interface of biological and physical sciences
Organizational Structure
- Biological Systems Science Division (BSSD) – supports fundamental research and technology development to achieve a predictive, systems-level understanding of complex biological systems to advance DOE missions in energy, climate, and environment.
- Climate and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD) – supports fundamental research to achieve a predictive, systems-level understanding of climate change, as well as subsurface contaminant fate and transport, to advance DOE missions in energy, climate, and environment.
Research Activities
Since initiating the Human Genome Project in 1986, BER has spearheaded the development of modern genomics-based systems biology and played a major role in seeding and fostering the contemporary biotechnology revolution, while at the same time supporting forefront research on the impacts of energy production and use on climate change. BER’s research program, closely aligned with DOE mission goals, aims at understanding complex biological and environmental systems across many spatial and temporal scales, from the sub-micron to the global, from individual molecules to ecosystems, from nanoseconds to millennia, to develop predictive knowledge relevant to DOE mission challenges. Two areas vital to the Nation’s energy security and environmental future lie at the core of the BER research agenda: developing cost-effective cellulosic biofuels and improving our ability to understand, predict, and mitigate the impacts of energy production and use on climate change. Strategic Plan and Long Term Measures
