402-0742-00L Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part II)
| Semester | Spring Semester 2021 |
| Lecturers | P. Morf |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | English |
Courses
| Number | Title | Hours | Lecturers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 402-0742-00 V | Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part II) | 2 hrs |
| P. Morf | |||
| 402-0742-00 U | Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part II) | 1 hrs |
| P. Morf |
Catalogue data
| Abstract | This second part of the lecture on Energy and Environment in the 21st century covers the state of human civilization and its impact on the environment. We find many unsustainable aspects and try to investigate the consequences. Can we find and maintain a sustainable way of life? Do we find scientific measures and ethical guidelines to stay within the planetary boundaries? |
| Learning objective | Can we find a scientifically useful definition of sustainability? We try to understand the unsustainable aspects of our current lifestyle and our society. Investigate the unsustainable use of ressources, environmental destruction, climate change and mass extinctions. How long can humanity continue on its current unsustainable path, what are the possible consequences? Historical examples of society collapse. What can we learn from them - can we? What about existing models/experiments promise to transform the human society into the direction of sustainability? Which guide lines and transformational designs can we follow into a sustainable world? |
| Content | Introduction to "sustainability" (26.2.) Population Dynamik (5.3.) Finite (energy)-resources (12.3.) Waste problems (19.3.) Water, soil and industrial agriculture (26.3.) Biodiversity (16.4.) Limits to growth (23.4.) Over the limits (30.4.) Growth, de-growth and the doughnut economy (7.5) Sustainability, how to achieve? (14.5.) Interdisciplinary environmental science (21.5.) Environmental ethics and policies (28.5.) Possible ways into sustainability – how is your 2040 or 2050 (4.6) |
| Literature | Environmental Physics (Boeker and Grandelle) Humanökologie (Nentwig) Limits to growth (Meadows, Meadows, Randers and Behrens) A prosperous way down: Principles and Policies (Odum and Odum) Come On! (Weizäcker and Wijkman) |
| Prerequisites / Notice | Basics on Physics applied to Energy and Environment. Investigation on current problems (and possible solutions) related to the human environment interaction and the needed transition from an unsustainable use of renewable and non renewable (energy) resources to sustainable systems. Training of scientific and multi-disciplinary methods, approaches and their limits in the exercises and discussions. |
Performance assessment
| Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again) | |
Performance assessment as a semester course | |
| ECTS credits | 6 credits |
| Examiners | P. Morf |
| Type | session examination |
| Language of examination | English |
| Repetition | The performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit. |
| Mode of examination | oral 30 minutes |
| Additional information on mode of examination | Language of examination: English or German / Prüfungssprache: Deutsch oder Englisch BITTE BEACHTEN: Die mündliche Prüfung dauert 20 MINUTEN pro Kandidat. Aus technischen Gründen werden im Vorlesungsverzeichnis 30 Minuten pro Kandidat publiziert. PLEASE NOTE: The oral examination takes 20 minutes per candidate. For technical reasons, 30 minutes per candidate are published in the course catalogue. |
| This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding. | |
Learning materials
| Moodle course | Moodle-Kurs / Moodle course |
| Only public learning materials are listed. | |
Groups
| No information on groups available. |
Restrictions
| There are no additional restrictions for the registration. |
