Climate Change and Development
- Social Sciences
- 200 level
- 2 credit units
- 152 pages
- 11 units
This course introduces the concept of climate change within a context of social, economic, geography and sustainable development. It covers the science of climate change, economics of climate change, global warming, and climate change and sustainable development. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the economic impacts of climate change and policy instruments. It also examines various perspectives on climate change and sustainable development.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 26 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of DES219, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1 CLIMATE CHANGE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTPage 47
- UNIT 2: THE ECONOMICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH THE DOMINANT NEOCLASSICAL LENSPage 59
- UNIT 3 COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS AND SECTORAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGEPage 66
- UNIT 4: THE CHALLENGES FROM ECONOMICS AND ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTPage 78
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
DES219 · UNIT 2: CLIMATE CHANGE MODELS
Scientists generally define the five components of earth's climate system to include atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere (restricted to the surface soils, rocks, and sediments), and biosphere. Natural changes in the climate system result in internal "climate variability".
What you should be able to do
- Understand the science of climate change and its impacts
- Analyze the economics of climate change and policy instruments
- Examine different perspectives on climate change and sustainable development
- Apply the concept of sustainable development to climate change
- Interpret scientific and statistical data related to climate change
What it prepares you for
- Environmental Consultant
- Sustainability Manager
- Policy Analyst
- Climate Change Analyst
- Environmental Economist
- Government Agencies
- Environmental Organizations
- Energy Sector
- Consulting Firms
- Research Institutions
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: The Science of Climate Change
Unit 2: Models of Climate Change
Requires understanding of complex mathematical models and their underlying assumptions.
- MODULE 2 Economics of Climate Change
Unit 2: The Economics of Climate Change through the Dominant Neoclassical Lens
Involves understanding of economic theories and their application to climate change, requiring critical analysis.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: The Science of Climate Change
Unit 1: Understanding Climate Change · 2 hours
Read the introduction and learning outcomes.. Study the historical overview of climate change science.. Identify the causes of climate change.. Understand the effects of climate change.. Review steps to reduce greenhouse gases..
- Week 2Module 1: The Science of Climate Change
Unit 2: Models of Climate Change · 2 hours
Study energy balance models.. Understand radiative-convective models.. Explore simple ocean models.. Examine global climate models (GCMs).. Review cloud and precipitation modeling..
- Week 3Module 1: The Science of Climate Change
Unit 3: Observed Climate change and future projections · 2 hours
Analyze changes in temperatures and precipitation.. Study observed changes in the frozen parts of the Earth.. Examine observed changes in the oceans and sea levels.. Review global and regional climate projections..
- Week 4Module 1: The Science of Climate Change
Unit 4: Global Warming · 2 hours
Study escalating temperatures.. Understand precipitations.. Analyze the energy budget.. Examine radiant energy and temperatures.. Review greenhouse gases..
- Week 5MODULE 2 Economics of Climate Change
Unit 1: Climate Change and Economic Development · 2 hours
Understand the externality framework.. Study climate change beyond externalities.. Examine GDP accounting, economic growth, and climate change.. Review economic factors surrounding global warming.. Understand climate change and global inequality..
- Week 6MODULE 2 Economics of Climate Change
Unit 2: The Economics of Climate Change through the Dominant Neoclassical Lens · 2 hours
Study the Public Choice School of Economics.. Understand the tragedy of the commons.. Analyze the economics of climate change through the dominant neoclassical lens..
- Week 7MODULE 2 Economics of Climate Change
Unit 3: Cost-Benefit Analysis and Sectoral Impacts of Climate Change · 2 hours
Understand climate change threats and impacts.. Study climate change and cost–benefit analysis.. Examine impacts of climate change on different sectors.. Review the destruction of marine ecosystems..
- Week 8MODULE 2 Economics of Climate Change
Unit 4: The Challenges from Economics and Ecological Perspectives and Sustainable Development · 2 hours
Analyze the challenges from an economic perspective.. Understand ecological perspectives and sustainable development.. Study climate change and limits on natural resources.. Examine trends, challenges, and scenarios.. Review government responses..
- Week 9MODULE 3 Institutions, Policy and Governance
Unit 1: Climate Change, Policy Frameworks and Protocols · 2 hours
Study the climate policy framework.. Understand provisions of the United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).. Examine different responsibilities for different party groups..
- Week 10MODULE 3 Institutions, Policy and Governance
Unit 1: Climate Change, Policy Frameworks and Protocols · 2 hours
Study the Kyoto Protocol.. Understand the Kyoto mechanisms.. Examine the relevance of the Kyoto Protocol.. Review mitigation commitments from 2008-2012.. Understand main issues and negotiation streams..
- Week 11MODULE 3 Institutions, Policy and Governance
Unit 2: Climate Change, Development and Policy Options · 2 hours
Study climate change impact.. Understand the concept of development.. Examine sustainable development.. Review climate change threats to development progress.. Understand climate change threats to sustainable development..
- Week 12MODULE 3 Institutions, Policy and Governance
Unit 3: Climate Change Financing · 2 hours
Understand the financing gap.. Study mitigation finance.. Examine inefficiencies in existing climate finance instruments..
- Week 13MODULE 3 Institutions, Policy and Governance
Unit 4: Climate Change Action Plans · 2 hours
Study ways to mitigate the risk of climate change.. Understand the expected action plan of a central government.. Examine the expected action plan for a state government.. Review the expected action plan for local communities and households..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking climate change causes, impacts, and solutions from Modules 1-3
- Review key economic models and policy instruments from Module 2
- Practice interpreting climate data and projections from Unit 3 of Module 1
- Focus on understanding the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol from Unit 1 of Module 3
- Prepare summaries of each unit, highlighting key concepts and definitions
Questions students ask about this course
What is DES219 about?
This course introduces the concept of climate change within a context of social, economic, geography and sustainable development. It covers the science of climate change, economics of climate change, global warming, and climate change and sustainable development. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the economic impacts of climate change and policy instruments. It also examines various perspectives on climate change and sustainable development.
How many units does DES219 have?
DES219, Climate Change and Development, has 11 units across 3 modules, over 152 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is DES219?
DES219 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Social Sciences.
Is DES219 hard?
DES219 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does DES219 take to study?
About 26 hours of study, spread across its 11 units.
How is DES219 assessed?
DES219 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with DES219?
Environmental Consultant, Sustainability Manager, Policy Analyst, Climate Change Analyst and Environmental Economist.