Module description
This module is structured in 10 two-hour sessions (which will be delivered as either lectures or practicals, as appropriate) that explore may of the key global environmental issues affecting the environmental security of the modern world. The module will enable students to gain a broad understanding of ten important environmental issues that have emerged during the Anthropocene, the science that underlies them, the various management and mitigation options and technologies, and how this links to policy.
Topics covered will include (as representative samples, which may change):
deforestation, desertification and agricultural intensification, biodiversity loss, urbanisation, pollution, ocean acidification, loss of polar environments, maintaining sustainability and ecosystem services, and understanding ecological systems and resilience.
Assessment details
Coursework (30%); Written examination (70%)
Educational aims & objectives
The module aims to:
- Further develop environmental issues introduced to students in the first year compulsory physical geography module and highlight how geography forms a nexus for investigation of such topics;
- Enable students to gain an understanding of key environmental problems that humanity faces in the Anthropocene, particularly in relation to sustainability and environmental security;
- To introduce students to the diverse array of technological, management and policy options for their mitigating and potential solutions of the selected environmental issues.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module, students should be able to:
- Understand a selection of important environmental problems facing the modern world;
- Understand the scientific processes ad debates influencing key issues, such as (a representative example that may change), deforestation, desertification, biodiversity loss, urbanisation, pollution, ocean acidification, loss of polar environments, agricultural intensification, maintaining sustainability and ecosystem services, and understanding ecological systems and resilience;
- Understand how physical geography approaches the understanding and resolution of global environmental problems, and provide an insight into the nature of environmental geography.
Teaching pattern
20 hours lectures