Global Environmental Problems: Surveying The Human Footprint

This course will use broad, geographic discussions and case studies to help students understand environmental problems.

What you'll learn

This course will provide students with a deeper understanding of anthropogenic influences on Earth.

By the end of this course, students will be able to identify major causes of climate change.

By the end of this course, students will be able to identify potential solutions to problems we are collectively facing, this century.

Requirements

Other than a good internet connection, the ability to read and download pdfs, and an open mind, nothing is required.

Description

This course explores the environment through the lens of human influence. We will discuss human behavior as it relates to the treatment and use of the environment, from a geographical perspective. We will focus on spatial dimensions of global environmental issues, which includes Earth's subsystems, population growth, land-use change, industry and uneven development, specific examples of the human footprint, and climate change.

Overview

Section 1: An Introduction to Global Environmental Problems

Lecture 1 Using Geography to Understand Global Environmental Problems

Lecture 2 Garrett Hardin's 1968 "Tragedy of the Commons"

Section 2: Understanding Earth's Systems

Lecture 3 Energy & Subsystems

Lecture 4 The Carbon Cycle & Biodiversity

Section 3: Humans and Land-use Change

Lecture 5 Human Population Growth

Lecture 6 Agriculture and Agribusiness

Lecture 7 Forest Resources & Deforestation

Lecture 8 The Urban Habitat

Section 4: The Human Footprint

Lecture 9 Pollution

Lecture 10 Waste

Lecture 11 Mining & Resource Extraction

Lecture 12 Conventional Energy Use

Lecture 13 Climate Change

Section 5: Conclusion

Lecture 14 Solutions and Additional Case Studies for Consideration

This course is for anyone interested in understanding our changing climate and the role of humans in that change. ,Some experiences in reading graphs would be beneficial, but not required.