Postgraduate Course: Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation (PGGE11126)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course first introduces the underlying science of human-induced and naturally-occurring climate change, using the IPCC as its basis. It examines predictive models of climate change and its impacts. It goes on to examine past, current and projected impacts globally, regionally and, using the UK as a case-study, nationally and locally. It then explores the potential for adaptation at these different scales and the potential win-wins of coupling adaptation with mitigation. Finally it covers the regulation of human induced climate change, the way climate change is communicated, and the issues of transboundary climate change impact assessment.
This course is only available to students studying the MSc in Carbon Management. |
| Course description |
WEEK TOPIC LECTURER
1 (Mon)
18th Sept Introduction to Climate Change Prof Dave Reay
1 (Tues)
19th Sept Reconstructing climate Prof Dave Reay
2 (Mon)
25th Sept Attributing and Predicting Climate Change Prof Gabi Hegerl
2 (Tues)
26th Sept Climate feedbacks and interactions Prof Dave Reay
3 (Mon)
2nd Oct Global, Regional and National Climate Change Impacts Prof Dave Reay
3 (Tues)
3rd Oct International Development and Climate Change Dr Janet Fisher
4 (Mon)
9th Oct Oceans, coasts and climate change (Portobello) Prof Dave Reay
5 (Mon)
16th Oct Regional and National Climate Change Adaptation Prof Dave Reay
5 (Tues)
17th Oct Video Masterclass Stuart Nicol
6 (Mon)
23rd Oct Climate change and biodiversity (Edinburgh Zoo) Prof Dave Reay
7 Group Video Presentations Prof Dave Reay
8 (Mon)
6th Nov Examining Climate Change Impacts and Responses Andy Kerr, ECCI
8 (Tues)
7th Nov Adaptation Challenge Prof Dave Reay
9 (Mon)
13h Nov The Win-Wins of Climate Change Adaptation Prof Dave Reay
9 (Tues)
14th Nov Climate change education and communication Profs Pete Higgins & Dave Reay
10 Reading week
11 (Mon)
27th Nov Formative short answer test & Course Review Prof Dave Reay
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | Students MUST also take:
Dissertation in Carbon Management (PGGE11128)
|
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | This course is only available to students studying the MSc in Carbon Management. Students are not permitted to audit this course. |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 40,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
156 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Essay assignment (Sceptical Argument) - allocated in week 2, submitted in week 3 (20% of course total). Full assignment details will be provided by the course organiser.
Group climate impact video (impact and adaptation assessment) allocated in week 5, presented week 7 (30% of course total). Full assignment details will be provided by the course organiser.
Adaptation assessment report (3,000 words) allocated in week 9 and submitted in week 11 (50% course total) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- understand to a high level projected climate change impacts and adaptation at global, national and local scales, with a focus on business and industry.
- be familiar with climate prediction models, feedback processes and uncertainties.
- evaluate implications of climate change impacts and adaptation at scales ranging from global to local.
- understand the regulatory issues of human-induced climate change.
- understand in depth climate change communication approaches, sceptical arguments and scientific counter-arguments.
|
Reading List
1. IPCC (2014) Fifth Assessment Report - Synthesis Report
2. The Hot Topic by Gabrielle Walker and Sir David King
As well as reading the required texts, the following documents are recommended:
UKCIP (2009) UK Climate Projections 2009
http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk/
UKCIP (2008) The Climate of the UK and Recent Trends
http://www.ukcip.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/PDFs/UKCP09_Trends.pdf
UKCIP (2011) Managing Adaptation
http://www.ukcip.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/PDFs/UKCIP_Managing_adaptation.pdf |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Students will be able to demonstrate skills in interdisciplinary analysis, drawing upon different empirical sources, analytical perspectives and sub-disciplines within carbon management studies.
Students will also be able to demonstrate an ability to acquire and apply specialist knowledge.
Finally, students will be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
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| Special Arrangements |
This course is only available to students studying the MSc in Carbon Management. |
| Keywords | PGGE11126 vulnerability,feedbacks,climate science,climate proxies,modelling,projection,comm |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr David Reay
Tel: (0131 6)50 7722
Email: David.Reay@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Karolina Galera
Tel: (0131 6)50 2572
Email: k.galera@ed.ac.uk |
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