Climate Change and Impacts

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject introduces the major issues associated with climate change. It endeavours to explain the processes that impact on the Earth’s climate, including the greenhouse effect; the role of climate in the evolution of ecosystems and food production; the human induced changes that are occurring and their impact on the environment; adaptation, mitigation and future climate change strategies will also be explored. The subject will also provide an overview of the economic, legal and political issues associated with climate change.

Students undertaking this subject will gain an understanding of the following:

• Climate change and why it matters
• Causes of past climate change including human induced change
• Future climate change predictions
• Impacts of climate change on food production, water, health, biodiversity and ecosystems
• Adaptation and living with climate change
• Mitigation and limiting climate change
• Politics of climate change

• A group assignment of up to 1000 words and 10-minute oral presentation due in approximately Week 5 worth 20%
• One research essay of up to 1500 words due in approximately Week 10 worth 30%
• Tutorial discussion participation throughout semester worth 10%
• A two-hour end-of-semester examination worth 40%

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

This subject encompasses particular generic skills so that on completion of the subject students should have developed skills relating to:

• The use of electronic forms of communication
• Their flexibility and level of transferable skills, which should be enhanced through improved time management
• Working collaboratively with other students
• An enhanced ability to communicate ideas effectively in both written and verbal formats
• Accessing information from the library via both electronic and traditional means
• Problem solving and critical thinking