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Tomorrow's Energy: The Promise and Challenges of Nuclear Fission and Hydrogen
Two Zoom Sessions
Tue., Oct. 7, 14, 2025, 6:30-8:30 pm MT

Practically all energy experts agree: The world will need significantly more energy in the future, especially cleanly-generated energy. Scientists also say that increasing demands on U.S. and global energy have created a crisis that emphasizes fossil fuels that continue to degrade the environment. Yes, we’ve made progress with solar and wind, but it’s clearly not enough. In this course, former chemistry professor John A. Lanning, PhD, shares how hydrogen and nuclear fission might hold the answer to our predicament. He admits, at first glance both bring their own baggage. Nuclear fission is linked to Chernobyl, and hydrogen was behind the Hindenburg fiasco. Yet, both keep greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. Plus, they’ve been proven effective: France uses nuclear fission for over 70% of its electrical energy needs, while China currently leads in both hydrogen production and consumption and is a pioneer in developing fuel cell trucks and buses. The course reviews U.S. and global energy consumption, identifies solar and wind limitations, and examines the pros and cons of nuclear and hydrogen energy.

“You don’t need a science background. There’s a brush with science, but the science is introduced within the context of everyday examples,” Lanning says. “And our discussions include economic and political issues around international agreements.”

John A. Lanning, PhD, is a retired University of Colorado ������ chemistry professor who taught environmental courses to non-science majors and chemistry graduate students. His philosophy is simply stated: “Understanding the science is the best approach to mitigating complex environmental problems.”