Global Environmental Change and Sustainability (30 credits)

Key information

Year of study
April
Credits
30
Department
Centre for Development, Environment and Policy

Module overview

Scope

This module provides an overview of the major contemporary issues in global environmental change and sustainability which are of critical importance for environment and sustainability policy locally and globally. The module focuses on not only the scientific basis for knowledge about global environmental change, but also the processes by which that science is produced, negotiated and contested. Priority topics in the module are the key approaches used by scientists in their research of the Earth system and global environmental change together with critical questions about politics and power relations influencing sustainability implementation. 

These are placed in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first half of the module focusses on the main paradigm for understanding global environmental change - the idea of the Earth system and its main components and processes. In the second part of the module, this understanding of the scientific aspects of global environmental change is further considered in the context of broader questions about sustainability policy and politics. 

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

  • explain the main concepts of environmental science, including the concept of the earth system and its main components (the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and biosphere) and critically appraise the relevant importance of each of these to environmental management and public policy
  • critically explain the idea of environmental change and to state and interpret some of the main environmental changes of earth’s recent history
  • explain and critically appraise the importance of environmental monitoring and modelling in understanding the earth system
  • identify the main approaches to, and principles of, environmental management, and to compare and contrast the importance and practical utility of these
  • place their knowledge and understanding of global environmental change in the context of broader questions and debates about sustainability.

Workload

Students are advised to dedicate 10 - 15 hours study time per week for this module.

Syllabus

Topics include (indicative):

Global Environmental Change, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Role of Science

The Earth as a System

The Geosphere, Tectonics, Weathering, and Erosion

The Atmosphere, Climate and Weather

The Hydrosphere, the Water Cycle, Oceans and Freshwater

The Cryosphere, Ice Sheets, Glaciers, Sea Ice and Permafrost 

The Biosphere, Ecosystems, Biomes and Biodiversity

Environmental Change: The Anthropocene in Context 

Planetary Boundaries and Safe Operating Space

Environmental Monitoring and Modelling at Local and Global Scales 

Stakeholders, Activism and Managing Environmental Change 

Socio-Political Context of Global Environmental Decision-Making

Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals in the Context of Global Environmental Change

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules