Proceedings of the Second International Energy 2030 Conference,
November 4-5, 2008, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

A Systems Approach to Energy and the Environment

Prof. Ronald M. Sega
Colorado State University, USA

Abstract
Many aspects of energy and the environment contain interacting elements that are best viewed as a system, albeit a complex one. This paper addresses energy and the environment from a broad perspective and frames the solution space via a systems approach. It recommends advances in technology that will be critical for our future and presents a strategy that involves supply, demand and culture change with respect to energy and the environment. Examples of development and implementation of energy strategies include: the Department of Defense technology investment plan for energy and power technologies from 2001 to 2005; the U.S. Air Force comprehensive energy strategy actions and organizational approach from 2005 to 2007; a recent national energy plan released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21^st Century Energy; and the Colorado State University’s current efforts to address energy and environment from perspectives of education, research, and operations on its approximately 100,000 acre campus.