Climate Change and Energy Curriculum –

ENVI110013.01

Teaching Program

Objective:

Climate Change and Energy is a general course designed for undergraduate students. Its teaching purpose is to let students understand the basic relationship and mechanism of action of climate change and energy consumption, and learn the basic theory of climate and environment sustainable development. At the same time, let students establish the basic analysis method of social science through the course and to develop the ability of thinking independently. Several lectures would be given by invited scientists who are famous in the field of environmental sciences. This 36-hour course mainly contains three sections: climate change and energy consumption, low carbon and environmental sustainability, low carbon and environmental protection practices and actions. Each section contains a number of interconnected parts, the integrated contracture exists among three sections as well. The course provides a basic requirement for students in accordance with the guide of this course for getting the basic knowledge, basic theory and basic social science analysis method; understating the characteristics and laws related to climate change and energy consumption under the low carbon and environmental protection policies, technology and management; establishing perfect knowledge system and the ability of independent thinking and solving the problems.

Content

Chapter 1. Climate change and energy consumption (9 hours)  

1.1. Climate change and its effects

1.1.1 Evidences of climate change

1.1.2 Influence factors of climate change

1.1.3 Effects of climate change

1.2. Energy

1.2.1 History of using energy

1.2.2 Fossil fuels

1.2.3 Impacts on the environmental from burning fossil energy

1.2.4 Energy efficiency and renewable energy

1.2.5 Where is the future of using energy?

1.3. Connection between climate change and energy consumption.

1.3.1 Adaptation and mitigation of climate change and energy use conservation

1.3.3 China an international actions on tackling climate change

Teaching objectives:  

Through the course, students can:

lUnderstand the connection between climate change and energy consumption and the interaction mechanism.

lKnow the effect of climate change.

lUnderstand the impact on climate change and environment made by consuming different sources of fossil fuels.

lGet the basic knowledge of international actions and China’s efforts to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Chapter 2: Low carbon and environmental sustainability (9 hours)

2.1. Greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy saving

2.2. The concept of sustainable development

2.2.1 Low carbon sustainability

2.2.2 Environmental sustainability

2.3 Low carbon and environmental sustainable development strategy

2.3.1 Low carbon buildings

2.3.2 Low carbon transportation

2.3.3 Solid waste recycling

2.3.4 Energy conservation and emission reduction in industries

Teaching objectives:

Through the course, students can:

lKnow related policies, technologies and management of low carbon and environmental sustainability in different areas.

lHave a comprehensive knowledge system and the principles of low carbon and environmental sustainability.

Chapter 3: Low carbon and environmental protection practices and actions (8 hours)

3.1 Urban Development

3.1.1 Concept of co-benefits approach

3.1.2 Energy-related co-benefits principle and interactions

3.1.3 Effective co-benefits approach

3.2 Carbon trading

3.2.1 Carbon trading principle

3.2.2 Kyoto Protocol

3.2.3 Other applications of carbon trading mechanism in other countries

3.3.3 China's carbon trading development

3.3 Environmentally friendly behaviour change

3.4 Low carbon initiative

3.5 Low carbon society

3.6 Cases of low carbon and sustainable development

3.5.1 Low carbon community

3.5.2. Low carbon city

Teaching objectives:

Through the course, students can:

lUnderstand international and China’s actions and practices of low carbon and environmental sustainability.

lGet knowledge of low carbon development and environmental protection and find the existing problems and barriers.

lDevelop ideas about the low carbon and environmental sustainable development in the future.

*6 hours for the middle examination and final examination.

*4 hours for the presentation and debate in the class.

Course requirements:

Middle exam：test

Final exam：essay

Final grade=20％Test+20％Discussion & Prsenation + 20％Attendance + 40%Essay