During the last ten years, there have been giant steps in the development of effective alternatives to carbon-producing energy sources. We will look at many of these improvements, both in cost and efficiency, and see how well countries are adopting them. Several sources of information will be examined as well as strategies we can all use in helping transition to new energy sources. Wind farms have been a part of DeKalb County for over a decade. Solar farms are following. The improvements in home-based technologies will also be considered.

Convener: Patricia Vary is a retired molecular microbiology professor from NIU, who has taught many LLI courses, on Microbes, Climate Change, Musicals, Arctic and Antarctic-Animals, and Great US Orchestras. She has also taken many courses each semester and loves LLI and her fellow students for keeping her brain alive.

The NIU Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), established in 2000, is a member-directed group of individuals primarily age 50+ who enjoy learning in informal, flexible, non-competitive groups and like connecting with peers who share their interests. No grades, no tests – just learning for the fun of it.