The conference fee is $1,275 and includes all courses, any course materials, and two private InSight Cruises parties. Four different categories of seminars are offered on Bright Horizons 4. (The fourth category will be announced shortly.)
The rate at which solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface is equal to the energy equivalent of 5 million barrels of oil per second. It would therefore seem that all we need do is harvest this energy in order to free mankind from all of the evils associated with the continued use of fossil fuel. But the other side of the coin is that it takes nearly a year for each square meter of sun-rich desert soil to receive from the Sun the energy equivalent of one barrel of oil, and mankind is presently consuming energy at a rate equivalent to 200 million barrels of oil per day. This lecture will address a number of misconceptions about the ease with which solar energy might solve our problems, itemizing technical issues which need to be faced and overcome.
In order for solar energy to be able to solve the global problem we must start somewhere. This lecture will survey the state of the art in practical, cost-effective, solar solutions. Attention will be drawn to the geography- and/or culture-dependence of some of them and to the extent to which their more widespread adoption could make a significant global contribution. The good news is that we can all do something green at home, which at the very least should make us feel good.
Electricity generation constitutes approximately one third of the world's present consumption of primary fossil fuel. On the other hand, only a small percentage of the world's population presently enjoys the availability of electricity. This lecture will address the problems associated with generating large-scale electric power in a cost-competitive manner with fossil fuel. The solution to the problem is strongly coupled to world population growth, a factor that cannot be controlled. The problems will be shown to be of a technical nature, which can probably be solved, but also of a societal nature, the solutions of which are less certain.
The major cities of the world evolved around commerce centers and to an equal extent the availability of energy. The deserts of the world, viewed as future sources of solar energy, are likely to create a new geography for the centers of fiscal power in the second half of the present century. But the deserts, large as they are, are finite in size, and there seems little prospect of the world population stabilizing. This lecture will speculate on possible future energy scenarios.
When you are thirsty do you dip your cup in the nearby river or pond for a nice refreshing drink? Probably not lately. There are reasons besides taste that you don't drink water before it is treated. What is really in the water? Is bottled water better than tap water? What was in the water then and what is in it now? Who is keeping track? Join Dr. Zander for a clear look at water, and at water quality through an historical lens.
Water has been treated for centuries, well before the understanding of the microbiological theory of disease communication. Water delivered to your tap is treated to prevent infectious and other illnesses. Brush up on your chemistry and physics knowledge and explore the physical and chemical principles behind the treatment processes. Thirsting for the facts on potable water? Dr. Zander will offer you an insider look so you'll gain an understanding of the safety of the water system and where the limits lie.
Less than 3% of the water on earth is available as fresh water. Much of that fresh water is locked in polar ice and glaciers. What we use (and reuse) is a small fraction of the earth's water. How much is available? Is it enough to fulfill our needs and our great-grandchildren's needs? What factors play into the availability of safe water for drinking, agriculture and industrial needs? Sit in on this session and you'll come away with a picture of the fresh water landscape and its key issues.
More than 97% of water on earth is too salty to drink. Desalination can produce drinking water from brackish water or seawater. Yet currently less than one half of one percent of the municipal water supply in the U.S. is produced by desalination. Why don't we see it everywhere? How does it work? Is desalination the answer for prevention of future water shortages? What are the benefits? What are the concerns? Are there technical breakthroughs on the horizon? Get the scoop from an eminent go-to person on desalination.
You know good nutritional practices are the cornerstone for chronic disease prevention and healthy aging, but the definition of good practice seems to change regularly. Dr. Kris-Etherton will tell us the state of the art healthy dietary patterns that are protective against chronic diseases that are common in developed countries, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), overweight/obesity, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis. Get the latest on what's clear, what's evolving, issues on which reasonable nutritionists may differ, and how to interpret and filter new nutritional studies. Dr. Kris-Etherton will arm you with new strategies for implementing current dietary and lifestyle guidance and a nuanced eye to make supermarket trips and menu choices a proactive experience.
Who isn't overwhelmed by all of the information/misinformation that floods the media and bookstores about the "best" diet for permanent weight loss? Do all the supplements you can buy that tout magical and quick outcomes for weight loss really work? And what are the health implications of being on a diet? Join Dr. Kris-Etherton for a session that separates fact from fad in the world of science-based nutrition. You'll pick up sound nutrition strategies for healthy and sustained weight loss.
Get an insider's view of the Nutrition Pyramid and the many ways that current dietary recommendations can be implemented. Inquiring minds want to know: What are the complexities behind the pyramid? What changed from past pyramids to the current one, and why? Is the food pyramid oriented to a specific set of chronic diseases? Does one size fit all people, of all ages? How do you build an optimal pyramid for vegetarians and vegans? How is a "tour" of the U.S. food pyramid different than a tour of the food pyramid of Egypt, or Europe, or Japan? Where do you go to tap many different easy to use resources for healthy diet planning? Tune in for the details, plus an expert's guide to the five food groups and how a dietary pattern can be planned that is easy to implement (and tasty, too!).
Research has shown amazing health benefits associated with consumption of certain foods, like fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables, chocolate and red wine, among others. Certain spices such cinnamon and turmeric have been shown to have positive health effects. Learn about the world of supplements and whether your money is better spent on food (and what about organic food?) or supplements for optimal health. Make evidence-based nutrition one of your secret super powers!
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