Climate Change and Energy - past, present and future

Description

Understanding climate change and man’s relationship with climate have been critical factors that have shaped human society throughout history. Increased consumption of fossil fuels and the resultant emissions of greenhouse gasses mean that this relationship between human civilisation and climate will be of increased importance in the future.

During this module students will learn about how our scientific understanding of climate has evolved through human history and how significant climate events have shaped the development of our environment throughout geological history.

The module will also give students a scientific understanding about climatology and climate and how extra-terrestrial and biogeochemical processes control atmospheric levels of greenhouse gasses and global temperatures. It will then introduce the likely temporal and spatial impacts of climate change on society and the environment and how these could be reduced through mitigation and adaptation.

Finally the module will provide an overview about global temporal and spatial changes in energy consumption and the role of fossil fuels in climate change as well as the international policy framework for the management of climate change.

Learning objectives

  1. The scientific development of climatology
  2. The scientific basis for climate change
  3. The context of current changes in climate in relation to the earth’s history
  4. How atmospheric levels of greenhouse gasses are controlled by extra-terrestrial and biogeochemical process
  5. The developmental context of human energy consumption past, present and future
  6. The international policy framework for climate change management
  7. The predicted spatial and temporal impacts of climate change
  8. Sector-level mitigation and adaptation strategies

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module students will be able to:

  1. Understand the terrestrial and extra-terrestrial factors that control climate
  2. Analyse internationally recognised sources to predict country-level changes in climate
  3. Identify country-level impacts associated with climate change
  4. Recommend sector-level strategies to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses and adapt to climate changes

Please note: This information is subject to review and change without notice.