Global Environmental Change

1. “An exploration of both the scientific causes of global environmental change and the integrative and complex nature of the societal response to such changes”. We strive to give you an appreciation of the “big picture”, and to remind you of the reasons why global environmental issues are at the forefront of the political, as well as the scientific agenda. We also aim to encourage a cross-disciplinary approach to problems and research in global change. The course has three elements A taught element – the guest lectures A research element – the project A dissemination element – the conference Global Environmental Change

4. The guest lectures • During weeks 2 through 7, we have arranged for a series of distinguished speakers to address you on topics of major concern in global environmental change. You will find the talks and brief biographies of the lecturers, at http://www.uea.ac.uk/env/teaching/gec_lectures/welcome. • Prominent people with distinctive views and positions of influence • Contributors to the debate about global change. • Lecturers have complete freedom to address you as they wish • “keynote talk” types of presentation • Opportunity for interaction after the lecture • Assessment associated with the lectures: For each lecture, we require that you write a short (~ 1 page) appreciation or critique of some aspect of the talk. • This can be something you found particularly interesting in lecture • or something you particularly agree, or particularly disagree, with the speaker about. • Reference to other literature encouraged • Three of these one-page comments will be assessed – 33 % of course assessment.

6. Aspects of the Environmental Change Debate • Academic and scientific • Economic and social • Environmental Campaigns and awareness • National and international relations and politics

7. Subjects • Climate Change: • Science: • Carbon cycle • Antarctica • Society and adaptation • The goal of sustainability • A political perspective • People, resources and climate • Valuing nature • Genetically modified organisms • Biodiversity and ecosystem change • The Earth as a system • What the past tells us • Properties of the system • Environmental campaigns and NGOs

8. Guest lectures

9. Guest lectures

10. Guest lectures

11. Guest lectures

12. The Projects • Review or research an aspect of global change or response to such change • (mostly) Multidisciplinary • Mixed-expertise groups, formed by ranking your interests • Bidding process to assign projects

13. The project report • In sections, including abstract/exec summary, introduction, conclusions. • At least one section “signed” by each group member • Size: 25 pages min, 50 pages max. • 50% of the course assessment

14. Project Mentors • ENV Postgrad students, researchers and faculty • Use some of the expertise in ENV that undergrads otherwise rarely see

17. Project timetable • Week 1 – rank interests of students • Week 2 – Assign groups • Week 3 – bid for projects: initial meetings with mentors • Week 3 – 10 research and write up. • Week 10 end – hand in • Week 11 – Presentations at Conference

18. Conference • Wednesday 20th April – Week 11 • Two parallel sessions • Each group gives presentation (15% of course assessment) • Lunch, wine reception • Evening – ENV ball at the Assembly rooms in the city.