Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Learning outcomes

The course aims to

- give a broad and interdisciplinary perspective to climate and energy issues

- give basic knowledge and understanding about climate change, energy issues and their connections to the modern industrial society and development issues

- on the basis of the mentioned aims, give several pictures of future scenarios

- develop an understanding of the role of science and society in the problems of climate and energy and to be able to critically analyse the argumentation of different researchers and actors

Content

The industrial society and its relation to energy issues and environmental problems. The greenhouse effect, climate history, variations in climate, methods for climate research. Controversies about climate research and climate politics; prognoses, risk research and the precautionary principle. An orientation in energy systems and energy crises; fossil and alternative energy sources. Consequences today and of the future on for example ecosystems, water supply, agriculture, forestry, natural disasters, health, economy and conflicts. Strategies to deal with climate and energy problems; actors, international agreements, North-South perspective. Future scenarios; global and personal.

Instruction

Lectures and seminars.

Assessment

Running examination with written assignments, active participation in seminars and projects.