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. |
| Course description |
Introduction to Climate Change (Dr Kate Crowley)
Reconstructing Climate (Dr Kate Crowley)
Attributing and Predicting Climate Change (Prof Gabi Hegerl)
Climate feedbacks and interactions (Dr Kate Crowley)
Oceans, coasts and climate change (TBC)
Field Trip (Dr Kate Crowley)
Global, Regional and National Climate Change Impacts (Dr Kate Crowley)
International Development and Climate Change (Dr Kate Crowley)
Regional and National Climate Change Adaptation (Dr Kate Crowley)
Video Masterclass (Liam Duffy, Media Service Co-ordinator)
Climate change and Biodiversity: Visit to Edinburgh Zoo (Dr Kate Crowley)
Group Video Presentations (Dr Kate Crowley)
Adaptation Challenge (Dr Kate Crowley)
The Win-Wins of Climate Change Adaptation (Dr Kate Crowley)
Examining Climate Change Impacts and Responses (Dr Joe Haag and Ellie Murtagh, Adaptation Scotland)
Climate change education, policy and communication (Sarah Goven, CliamtExchange & Dr Kate Crowley)
Reading Week
Formative Short Answer Test & Course Review (Dr Kate Crowley)
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | This course is only available to students on Taught MSc programmes within the School of Geosciences.
Students are not permitted to audit this course. |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 40 |
| 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) |
Coursework 100%
Essay assignment (Sceptical Argument) - allocated in week 2, submitted in week 4 (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
IPCC (2014) Fifth Assessment Report - Synthesis Report
The Hot Topic by Gabrielle Walker and Sir David King
IPCC (2018) Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5oC https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/summary-for-policy-makers/
As well as reading the required texts, the following documents are recommended:
Met Office (2018) UK Climate Projections 2018
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/collaboration/ukcp
UKCIP (2017) Adaptation Showcase
https://www.ukcip.org.uk/about-us/adaptation-in-practice-events-series/
UKCIP (2013) Adaptation Case Studies
https://www.ukcip.org.uk/case-studies/ |
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.
|
| Keywords | PGGE11126 vulnerability,feedbacks,climate science,climate proxies,modelling,projection,comm |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Katherine Crowley
Tel: (0131 6)50 2519
Email: kate.crowley@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Heather Penman
Tel: (0131 6)50
Email: heather.penman@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage