Where Does Gasoline Go? Why We Must Replace Fire in Our Energy System
Talk Overview:
Did you know a gallon of gasoline weighs about six pounds? Burning ten gallons of gas a week means sixty pounds seemingly disappear from the tank. What becomes of it, when placed in the context of 374 million gallons that we burn in the US every day, is an astonishing but undeniably true tale. Where does it go? Why should we care? This workshop will begin with a tale that will make you rethink gasoline in ways sure to both astonish and scare you as it builds understanding of key aspects of the science of climate change. On the way, we’ll share strategies for building deeper understandings of scale. Then we’ll work through ways you can get to work on the problem. Climate action is perhaps the best way to reduce the fear and anxiety that is a natural and rational response to understanding the implications of modern climate change.
Biography:
Don Haas is a geoscientist and science educator at the Paleontological Research Institution (“PRI” for short), a not-for-profit research and education organization in Ithaca, NY. He works alongside an amazing cadre of colleagues on exhibits, education programs, teacher workshops, and website resources. Don is a nationally regarded expert in climate and energy education, place-based and technology-rich Earth and environmental science education; and is a past president of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. He is co-author of the books, The Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change and The Science Beneath the Surface: A Very Short Guide to the Marcellus Shale. He strives to help others thrive in their teaching and learning, especially as related to climate and energy and he wants you to talk more about fire.
Next TACNY Junior Café Scientifique:
January 17, 2026: Eco-Conscious vs. Eco-Friendly Production and Consumerism