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Coordinator: Dr D. Pyle (Stenden University)
Coordinator: Dr D. Pyle (Stenden University)
Please Note: This module will not be offered in 2024.
This module involves a study of the causes and consequences of climate change, with particular emphasis on a global increase in extreme weather events and disasters. The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) warns in its latest report that dry regions of the world will receive less rainfall and wet areas will see heavier deluges as the whole globe suffers the consequences of rising greenhouse gas emissions. As such, the causes and consequences of climate change will be investigated in-depth, together with an overview of numerical climate modelling and future climate scenarios. The course will focus on the increasing incidence of hydro-meteorological hazards and disasters and how this is linked to climate change. An evaluation of strategies to mitigate hydro-meteorological hazards will provide a more applied aspect to the course. The course will include a field trip, probably to the forecast office, South African Weather Service, Gqbergha.
Outcomes
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
Differentiate between climate change and climate variability/climate cycles.
Understand the causes of anthropogenic climate change.
Evaluate the evidence and consequences of climate change
Understand the concept of numerical modelling and predictions for future climates.
Critically analyse the links between climate change and extreme/severe weather events.
Understand the causes and consequences of hydro-meteorological hazards and disasters (in particular floods, sea-level rise, drought/desertification, severe storms, wildfires and informal settlement fires).
Evaluate strategies for mitigating, preventing and coping with hydro-meteorological hazards and disasters.
Assessment
Assessment
Course (80%):
Course (80%):
Weekly assignments/essays, 1 formal oral presentation, a portfolio, seminar/tutorial participation
Exam (20%):
Exam (20%):
2hr paper in November.
Key Readings
Key Readings
Houghton, J., 2004: Global Warming: The Complete Briefing, 3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Climate Change 2013: the Physical Science Basis, 2013: [online], available: http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/#.Um-x2ezorrc [29/10/2013]
Nott, J., 2006: Extreme Events: A Physical Reconstruction and Risk Assessment, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
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