ESS 490 Selected Topics in Environmental Science Study Abroad Program Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean Instructors: Dr. Tom Sever, UAHuntsville/NSSTC, Room 3050, 320 Sparkman Dr. Huntsville, AL 256-961-7958. Email: sever@nsstc.uah.edu Mr. Rob Griffin (UAHuntsville). Email: robert.griffin@nasa.gov Dr. Freddy Picado, CATHALAC Senior Scientist Tel: (507) 317-3212. Email: freddy.picado@cathalac.org Mr. Joel Perez, CATHALAC Senior Scientist Tel: (507) 317-3230. Email: joel.perez@cathalac.org Mr. Emil Cherrington, Applied Research & Development Division Manager CATHALAC. Tel: (507) 317-3223. Email: emil.cherrington@cathalac.org Mr. Francisco Delgado, Information Technology & Communication Division Manager, and Risk Management Expert, CATHALAC. Tel: (507) 317-3224. Email: Francisco.delgado@cathalac.org
Course Location:
CATHALAC: City of Knowledge 111, Clayton, Panama, Republic of Panama
Course Date:
June 7 - July 2, 2010
Course Description: Through professional training, hands-on learning, and cultural immersion, students will embark on an experience to understand how global climate change influences sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Climate change is an issue that spans many fields of study and affects both society and the environment at multiple scales. As such, students will apply a multidisciplinary and integrated approach to both the challenges and opportunities presented by global climate change. The course, taught in English, will involve assigned readings, group discussion sessions, hands-on laboratories, and a mix of interactive lectures. Throughout the course, students will learn about different research methodologies and the use of appropriate technologies to analyze and monitor climate change’s impacts on natural and human systems in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Course is comprised of various topics including Introduction to Sustainable Development, Introduction to Climate Change Science and Policy, Social and Political Aspects of Climate Change, Methods and tools for Climate Change Research., Human Impacts on Ancient Environments, Human Impacts on Modern-day Environments, Water, Our Energy Future, Agriculture, GIS, Remote Sensing, Population and Disease, and Air Quality. Requirements Applicants must have successfully completed at least 2 semesters of undergraduate work. Basic Spanish proficiency is a plus but not a must.
Assignments and presentations Throughout the course, students will carry out a series of written assignments, presentations based on lectures, in-class practices and field experiences. Final Exam A final exam will be given in which students will answer a series of essay questions and will have to perform hands-on practices based on the integration of readings, lectures and field experiences. Grading Course grade breakdown is as follows: • Assignments and presentations (25%) • Exam (25%) • Written Report on Topical Area (50%) The grading scale is as follows: A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F : <60 ** Please note. Attendance at all program activities is mandatory and is crucial to student success in this course. Students will be expected to contribute to discussions, be involved in excursions and hands-on exercises, be punctual and cooperative, and respect instructors, guides and supervisors. Reference and Required Reading (Partial List) Human Development Report 2007/2008. Fighting climate change: Human solidarity in a divided world. Summary. UNDP. 31 p. Available on line: http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_20072008_Summary_English.pdf IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Chapter 13: Latin America. Available on line: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg2/ar4-wg2-chapter13.pdf IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Technical Summary. 74 p. Available on line: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessmentreport/ar4/wg1/ar4-wg1-ts.pdf Anderson, E.R., Cherrington, E.A., Flores, A.I., Perez, J.B., Carrillo R., and E. Sempris. 2008. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity in Central America, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. CATHALAC / USAID. Panama. 105 pp. Available on line: http://www.cathalac.org/dmdocuments/2008/climate_biodiversity_cathalac_lowhres.pdf CATHALAC, UNDP, GEF. 2008. “Regional Synthesis. Capacity Building for Stage II Adaptation to Climate Change in Central America, Mexico and Cuba”. Available on line: http://www.cathalac.org/dmdocuments/2008/acc2_150.pdf Trumper, K., Bertzky, M., Dickson, B., van der Heijden, G., Jenkins, M., Manning, P. June 2009. The Natural Fix? The role of ecosystems in climate mitigation. A UNEP rapid response
assessment. United Nations Environment Programme, UNEPWCMC, Cambridge, UK. Available on line: http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/natural-fix/ USAID, 2007, “Adapting to Climate Change Variability and Change”: A Guidance Manual for Development Planning, August 2007 UNDP/GEF, 2005, “Adaptation Policy Framework for Climate Change”: Developing Strategies, Policies and Measures, Cambridge Press. OECD, 2008, “Guidance on Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development CoOperation”, Available on line: http://www.oecd.org/document/40/0,3343,en_2649_34421_42580264_1_1_1_1,00.html World Bank, 2003, “Pobreza y Cambio Climático”: Reducir la vulnerabilidad de los pobres mediante la adaptación IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Complete report. Available on line: http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_ipcc_fourth_assessment_report_wg1_re port_the_physical_science_basis.htm IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). Climate Change 2007: Mitigation of Climate Change. Technical Summary. Available on line: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessmentreport/ar4/wg3/ar4-wg3-ts.pdf Human Development Report 2007/2008. Fighting climate change: Human solidarity in a divided world. Complete Report. UNDP. 399 p. Available on line: http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_20072008_EN_Complete.pdf Useful links Preliminary Assessment of Ecosystem Vulnerability to Climate Change in Panama: http://evccpanama.mcgill.ca/ Biodiversity Hotspots – Mesoamerica: http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/hotspots/mesoamerica/Pages/default.aspx The Natural Fix The Role of Ecosystems in Climate Mitigation: http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/natural-fix/ Global Climate Change Student Guide. ARIC-Manchester Metropolitan University: http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/Resources/gcc/3-2-1-1.html Global Warming. Frequently Asked Questions. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html Adaptation Policy Frameworks. United Nations Development Programme: http://www.undp.org/climatechange/adapt/apf.html#about
Course Schedule The course will entail Spanish instruction and various topics related to climate change and sustainability. Topics include: Climate Change Science and Policy Climate Change Science and Policy & Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean Human Impacts on Ancient Environments Human Impacts on Modern-day Environments When the Rivers Dry Up: Water Our Energy Future Population and Disease Erosion and Watersheds Air Quality and Public Health Forest fires Agriculture Hands-on case studies Climate change impact in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean Guest Lecture/ CC Vulnerability Assessment Guest Lecture/ Information Systems and Environmental Monitoring Methods and tools for Climate Change Research