Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information
for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Environmental Impacts and Policy |
| Unit code |
GEOG35600 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Valdes |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
Other year 3 pathways |
| School/department |
School of Geographical Sciences |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Science |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit will explore some of the complex issues associated with environmental changes that are either occurring now or predicted to occur in the future. Many of these issues represent a complex mix between natural science and the social sciences, requiring understanding of the physical causes and consequences as well as the legal, economic and political responses.
Two detailed case studies will focus on the European framework directive and landslide risk management
A broader range of topics will be covered by a set of 10 seminars on various aspects of current and future climate change impacts. Typical subjects for seminars will include land use change, climate change policy, future hydrologic changes and economics of climate change.
Aims to:
Provide an understanding of the complex interactions between the physical and social sciences through a combination of two detailed case studies and a series of seminars that describe a range of present and future issues.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Have a systematic approach to understanding climatic, and other natural hazards
- Understand the hydrological and geotechnical concepts relating to slope stability, and how these might be measured or modelled.
- Understand the interaction of landslide hazard with human development, urbanisation, climate change, and policies.
- Have a framework for the critique of disaster risk reduction and management strategies.
- Understand the implications of the water framework directive.
The following transferable skills:
- Written and verbal communication
- Critical interpretative thinking
Teaching Information
A combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment Information
Coursework - 33%
Exam - 67%
Reading and References
- Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Edited by Martin Parry Osvaldo Canziani Jean Palutikof Paul van der Linden Clair Hanson (also available from: http://www.ipcc.ch).
- Climate change 2007: Mitigation. Contribution of Working group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Edited by B. Metz, O. R. Davidson, P. R. Bosch, R. Dave, L. A. Meyer. (also available from: http://www.ipcc.ch).
- The Economics of Climate Change. The Stern Review. By Nicholas Stern (also available from http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/stern_review_report.cfm
- Dai, F.C., Lee, C.F. and Ngai, Y.Y., (2002) "Landslide risk assessment and management: an overview", Engineering Geology, 64(1):65-87
- van Westen, C.J., van Asch, T.W.J. and Soeters, R. (2005) Landslide hazard and risk zonation: why is it still so difficult? , Bulletin of engineering geology and the environment, 65(2):176-184 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10064-005-0023-0
ESSENTIAL:
The first 3 are essential but are freely available online.
The latter 2 are also downloadable.
