ESCI 201 Climate Change and NZ's Future
Victoria University of Wellington’s involvement with research in climate history provides the background to this course. The broad approach makes this an ideal paper for science and non-science students alike.
The course looks at covers climate change from a variety of perspectives including:
- the causes and effects of climate change
- how we can tell the difference between human-caused and natural climate variability
- greenhouse gases and the role of fossil fuel in human society
- climate scenarios for the future and their implications
- impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability
- Matauranga Māori ideas and its relevance in terms of survival, ecological and cultural sustainability, and its practical application today
- how government policy is responding to climate change
- domestic policy responses to global climate change
- the Kyoto protocol and its implications for NZ
- international legal dimensions of climate change
- a look into the near future of global climate policies
Course format
The course is full time for three weeks. A typical day will have a lecture in the morning followed by a group tutorial, and another lecture and tutorial in the afternoon. The course culminates in a public panel discussion on climate change, and a public presentation of group work.
How much do I need to know?
ESCI 201 is coordinated by the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences. You do not need any background in earth sciences, geology, or science—the course is open to everyone.
More information
For more information, please see course catalogue.