Responding to Climate Change unit (KGA105)

Introduction

The course of climate has been altered by humans. Swift but carefully considered and designed action to reduce greenhouse gases and our production of them will be essential for minimising the damage to our planet that is occurring due to a rapidly changing climate. Widespread adaptation is also required to ameliorate the impacts of changes now and into the future. In this unit, we consider why we have not acted quickly as a society so far and ask whether current economic systems based on growth are compatible with avoiding catastrophic climate change and its impacts. We also explore a range of policy and practical responses that may help us reduce the most damaging changes to Earth’s climate and associated impacts on human and natural systems. These include individual actions through to international agreements on the reduction of greenhouse gases, carbon sequestration and drawdown and alternative energy sources. Additionally, we examine social understanding of climate change and also look at climate change through the lens of ethics, justice and injustice, and investigate how indigenous knowledges can instruct us in our responses to climate change.

Summary

Unit name	Responding to Climate Change
Unit code	KGA105
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Discipline	Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Coordinator	Doctor Kathy Allen
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Describe policy responses to our evolving understanding of climate change.
• Assess and compare the roles of a range of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for a sustainable future
• Describe social, political, and economic drivers of climate change responses.
• Discuss ethical, justice-based and culturally informed perspectives on climate change

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Fully online unit with asynchronous online activities.
Assessment	Video on adaptation and mitigation (20%)|Reflective short pieces (40%)|Viva-voce (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.