Navigating Energy History: Workers, Communities, Environmental Impact and Climate Change

Posted 12 days 5 hours ago by The University of Glasgow

Duration : 4 weeks
Study Method : Online
Subject : History
Overview
Discover Britain's historical energy transitions and their impact on today's sustainable energy challenges.
Course Description

Examine Britain’s energy shifts and global impact with the University of Glasgow

Learn how Britain’s energy transitions from coal to renewables illuminate today’s sustainable challenges. Discover invaluable insights through historical analysis and firsthand accounts, enabling you to navigate the complexities of the modern energy sector.

Understand the history of Britain’s energy transitions

On this short course, you’ll explore the evolution of Britain’s energy sector since 1945. You’ll learn how shifts from coal to nuclear and oil have shaped societal change and influenced global energy trends.

Examine worker perspectives on energy sector shifts throughout the ages

Delve into the experiences and responses of workers during major transitions in the energy sector. You’ll analyse how these shifts affected employment and community dynamics, providing lessons for today’s energy professionals.

Learn to assess the interplay of politics, personal narratives, and renewable energy adoption in Britain

The short analyses the evolution of Britain’s energy politics by investigating key policies and political manoeuvres that have shaped the energy economy. You’ll examine the interconnections between environmental concerns and energy politics over the decades.

As the course progresses you’ll listen to oral testimonies from energy workers and activists, which provide firsthand narratives that reveal the personal and communal impacts of historical energy shifts. These accounts offer a human perspective on policy decisions and technological advancements.

Completing this course will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of Britain’s energy history and its relevance to contemporary energy challenges. By drawing lessons from the past, you’ll be prepared to engage with the future of the energy sector, advocating for just, equitable, and sustainable transitions.

This course is designed for energy professionals, environmentalists, students, and anyone keen on understanding the history of energy transitions.

Requirements

This course is designed for energy professionals, environmentalists, students, and anyone keen on understanding the history of energy transitions.

Career Path
  • Describe the major changes to Britain’s energy system since the Second World War.
  • Interpret worker and community responses to changes in energy employment and movements between sectors.
  • Assess how environmental concerns of varied sorts have shaped energy politics.
  • Engage with extracts from archival records, oral testimonies and other primary sources related to energy history.
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