The Human Dimension in Environmental Change (ES2)

Target Group

Programme target group


Prerequisites

Programme prerequisites


Learning objectives

After successful completion of this module participants will be able to:

  • identify and describe the basic socio-economic processes in relation to the environment;
  • explain basic environmental concepts, such as ecological footprint;
  • analyse dynamic interactions between human development and environmental changes.


Syllabus

Human beings always affect the environment. In Demography the components of demographic change (fertility, mortality, migration, population models) will be discussed in relation with sustainable development. In Human health the relation between environmental pollution and human diseases is discussed. The subject of Use and Scarcity of Natural Resources starts with reviewing resource and scarcity concepts and mechanisms leading towards and away from scarcity. In a second part, the cases of specific resources are treated: food, wood, fish, biodiversity, water and energy. In Environmental toxicology the toxic effects of pollution on human health are made visible. Solutions will be discussed and shown in a fieldtrip to a wastewater treatment plant.


Didactics

Lectures
Demography and Human health consist of lectures and group discussions, culminating in an assignment (analysis and presentation of gathered information). In Use and Scarcity of Natural Resources simulation games are offered to study the effect of various scenarios. Practical problems caused by domestic pollution and their solution are illustrated in a fieldtrip and during laboratory activities.


Lecturing materials

Lecture notes, laboratory notes


Lecturers

The Human Dimension in Environmental Change