402-0742-00L  Energy and Sustainability in the 21st Century (Part II)

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Catalogue data

Abstract	This second part of the lecture on "Energy and Environment in the 21st century" covers on one side the state of human civilization and its devastating impacts on the environment. On the other side we try to find ways into sustainability. Can natural science, economics, social sciences or philosophy help to find scientific measures and ethical guidelines to stay within the planetary boundaries?
Learning objective	Which Impacts do humans have on the planetary systems? We try to understand the unsustainable aspects of our current lifestyle and our society. Investigate the unsustainable use of resources, environmental destruction, climate change and mass extinctions. How much longer can humanity remain on its current, unsustainable path? What are the possible consequences? Can we learn from historical collapse of societies? Which of the existing models/experiments promise to change human society toward sustainability? Which guidelines and transformational designs can we follow into a sustainable world?
Content	1. Introduction to the lecture and a short history of the human-environmental interaction (23.2) 2. Population growth – the impact of humans (by number) (1.3) 3. Biodiversity loss – understanding the reasons and implications (8.3) 4. Wastes and pollutions – the residues of our industrial culture, how to go on? (15.3) 5. Agriculture and Fishing – where do we stand, what to do? (22.3) 6. Systems, Ecosystems and The Planetary Boundaries (12.4) 7. Limits to growth – models, economics and resource extractions (19.4) 8. Over the limits – the consequences of destruction, over-use and over-pollution (26.4) 9. Environmental Economics – growth, de-growth – path into sustainability (3.5) 10. What can science do? The two cultures (10.5) 11. Sustainability – what can it be? How to achieve? (17.5) 12. Environmental ethics and policy - how can personal and social life be made sustainable? (24.5) 13. Our future – possible ways into sustainability (31.5)
Lecture notes	https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/mod/resource/view.php?id=1022709
Literature	Environmental Physics (Boeker and Grandelle) Humanökologie (Nentwig) Limits to growth (Meadows, Meadows, Randers and Behrens) Come On! (Weizäcker and Wijkman) Doughnout Economics (Kate Raworth)
Prerequisites / Notice	As a prerequisite for this lecture, scientific basics are sufficient. These are used, among other things, to analyze the current environmental problems of mankind and also to outline possible ways out. Of course, the natural science approaches need to be complemented by social science analyses and methods in order to study sustainability in a comprehensive way and to develop approaches for a sustainable culture. In this lecture, we will reflect on and discuss the big issues of our time in a multidisciplinary way. Together we will compare approaches, classify attitudes and try to find personal and societal paths towards a sustainable future.
Competencies	Subject-specific Competencies Concepts and Theories assessed Techniques and Technologies fostered Method-specific Competencies Analytical Competencies assessed Decision-making fostered Media and Digital Technologies fostered Problem-solving assessed Social Competencies Communication assessed Cooperation and Teamwork fostered Self-presentation and Social Influence fostered Sensitivity to Diversity fostered Negotiation fostered Personal Competencies Creative Thinking assessed Critical Thinking assessed Integrity and Work Ethics fostered Self-awareness and Self-reflection fostered

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

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Offered in

Programme	Section	Type
Science Education Master	Spec. Courses in Respective Subject with Educational Focus	W
Physics Bachelor	Electives	W
Physics Bachelor	Selection of Higher Semester Courses	W
Physics TC	Specialized Courses in Respective Subject with Educational Focus	W
Physics Teaching Diploma	Spec. Courses in Resp. Subj. w/ Educ. Focus & Further Subj. Didactics	W
Physics Teaching Diploma	Compulsory Elective Courses	W
Physics Master	Selection: Further Electives	W