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. Osvaldo Jordan, CATHALAC, Tel: (507) 317-3245, Email: osvaldo.jordan@cathalac.org Mr. Joel Perez, CATHALAC Senior Scientist Tel: (507) 317-3230. Email: joel.perez@cathalac.org
Course Location:
CATHALAC: City of Knowledge 111, Clayton, Panama, Republic of Panama
Course Date:
June 5 - July 6, 2011
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 discussions, 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 Climate Change Science and Policy, Methods and tools for Climate Change Research., Human Impacts on Ancient Environments, Human Impacts on Modern-day Environments, Water, and Our Energy Future. Requirements Applicants must have successfully completed at least two semesters of undergraduate work. Basic Spanish proficiency is a plus but not a must.
Grading Throughout the course, students will carry out two class assignments (25% each) based on lectures, in-class practices and field experiences. There will also be a final exam worth 50% of the final grade. Students will answer a series of essay questions based on the integration of readings, lectures and field experiences.
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.
Date 13 June 14 June 15 June 16 June 17 June 20 June 21 June 22 June 27 June 28 June 29 June 4 July 5 July 6 July
Activity Human Impacts on Ancient Environments. Human Impacts on Modern Environments. When the Rivers Dry Up: Water Our Energy Future. Population and Disease. Introduction to GIS. Introduction to GIS (continued). Class Assignment I due. Introduction to GIS (continued). The Science of Climate Change. Climate Change Adaptation. Class Assignment II due. Climate Change Mitigation (CDM and REDD) Resilience and Vulnerability in Latin America. National and International Policy Debates about Climate Change Final Exam
Suggested Readings 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: Mitigation of Climate Change. Technical Summary. Available on line: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessmentreport/ar4/wg3/ar4-wg3-ts.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 University Press. http://www.undp.org/climatechange/adapt/apf.html#about 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”. 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 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