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2018　Our Climate Future

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Academic unit or major
Breadth courses
Instructor(s)
Ota Eri 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Intensive ()  
Group
-
Course number
LAW.X427
Credits
1
Academic year
2018
Offered quarter
3Q
Syllabus updated
2018/10/18
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
English
Access Index

Course description and aims

Under the Paris Agreement, 175 nations have agreed to take collective action to address the threat of climate change with the goal of keeping global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This course provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities to address the changing climate through technology and policy options at the national and international levels.

Student learning outcomes

In this course, the students will develop an understanding of energy technologies, policies, and responses to the climate challenges. Students will be able to understand the following
(1) Impacts and opportunities of diverse energy systems in the context of their national, regional, sectoral, and cultural contexts.
(2) How energy choices affect outcomes in solving climate change, as well as addressing priorities in security, pollution, and economic competitiveness.
(3) The actions that enable greater resilience to the changing climate.

Keywords

Paris Agreement, energy, fossil fuels, electricity, pollution,

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills ✔ Communication skills ✔ Critical thinking skills ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Each class covers three topics related to climate change and energy based on learning with background materials. There will be Q and A session after each lecture. The group will then conduct problem solving and discussion session after learning three topics.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 11/12 (Mon）10:45-14:50 Introduction to climate change and energy History and current state of the global energy system Renewable energy and efficiency 1. Summary of 3 topics learnt and questions 2. 1-2 discussion topic ideas
Class 2 11/15 (Thu）10:45-14:50 Nuclear energy Energy disruption Smart cities 1. Summary of 3 topics learnt and questions 2. 1-2 discussion topic ideas 3. Answer 10 questions
Class 3 11/19 (Mon）10:45-14:50 Technology innovations Envisioning a low-carbon society Co-benefits 1. Summary of 3 topics learnt and questions 2. 1-2 discussion topic ideas
Class 4 11/22 (Thu）10:45-14:50 Climate adaptation and disaster resilience International frameworks and national policies to facilitate global decarbonization Final Presentation: Ways to engage public on issues related to climate change and energy The Way Forward 1. Summary of 3 topics learnt and questions 2. 1-2 discussion topic ideas 3. Prepare for final presentation

Textbook(s)

Woods Hole Institute Primer on Climate Change (https://whrc.org/publications-data/understanding-climate-change-a-primer/); Sustainable Energy without the Hot Air by David McKay (https://www.withouthotair.com)

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Will be provided accordingly

Assessment criteria and methods

Participation: 40%
10 questions: 30%
Final Presentation 30%

Related courses

  • LAW.X428 ： Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Algebra, Unit Conversion

Other

Course Schedule: 11/12 (Mon）, 11/15 (Thu），11/19 (Mon）, 11/22 (Thu）
Course Hours: 10:45-14:50　 for each day
Class Room: S512：11/12 (Mon）, 11/15 (Thu）

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