ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE

In line with the general training objectives of the Master Degree in Environmental Sciences, the course contributes to provide the knowledge to make the ability to identify and organize the interactions of the various factors involved in processes, systems and complex environmental problems.
With reference to the specific training objectives of the Master Degree in Environmental Sciences, the course contributes to provide a systemic and integrated vision of the environmental and economic dynamics, in order to put the studente in a position to face from a holistic point of view the challenges related to the management of the environment in the presence of global changes and in the context of sustainable development.
In this direction the course seeks to achieve a twofold objective: a) to describe the most important environmental impacts expected from climate change and to elicit cause-effect (direct and indirect) relationships from climatic variables (e.g. temperature increase, rainfall, sea level rise, etc.) and the consequences of short, medium and long term, on environmental systems; b) to introduce approaches and methodologies for assessment and management of impacts from climate change (CC).

Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire knowledge of risk analysis, essential to understand how the impacts of global changes can compromise the survival of the integrated socio-ecological system.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student must have acquired the skills necessary to evaluate the impacts of global changes in a socio-ecological system.

Autonomy of judgment
Students must have acquired independent judgment on environmental issues related to climate change, be able to assess the quality of the environmental data associated with them, know how to identify the most appropriate analysis tools to support an assessment of the related environmental risks.

Communication skills
The student must have developed communication skills using the basic linguistic terminology in all the processes of application and communication of the acquired knowledge. Therefore, the ability to communicate verbally and in writing to the public with language properties both in Italian and in English, also using multimedia tools.

Learning ability
The student must have developed the ability to formulate and argue simple hypotheses, also developing a critical approach to the evaluation of alternative hypotheses. Knowing how to interact with peers and with the tutor, in a critical and respectful way. Being able to consult critically the reference texts and the bibliography contained in them. Know how to use dedicated tools.

Background knowledge on methods for assessing and managing environmental impacts. Basic knowledge of some computer tools and programs, including MS Office and some notions of GIS (Geographical Information System)

Categories of environmental impacts from CC and impacts from CC on: water cycle, marine environment, terrestrial environment, pollution and human health; regulatory frameworks and methodologies for impact and risk assessment from CC; decision support systems (DSS) for impacts and risks from CC; applications of DSS to case studies.

Compulsory:
Slides sent by the teacher and lecture notes

Optional:
Parry M, Carter T, 1998. Climate Impact and Adaptation assessment: the IPCC Method. Earthscan, 192 pp.
Willows, R.I., and R.K. Connell (eds.) 2003. Climate adaptation: Risk, uncertainty and decision-making. UKCIP Technical Report. UKCIP. Oxford, UK.

The written exam consists of a summary report of the practical applications compiled by the participants and evaluated (30 % of final score).
The oral exam consists of questions about contents of lectures and seminars (50 % of final score).
Evaluation of ppt presentations concerning issues discussed during the lectures and provided by students during the course will also be considered (10 % of final score)
Active participation to lectures is positively evaluated (10% of final score).
For students not attending the course the examination procedures will be agreed with the teacher.

Classroom lectures, classroom exercises and seminars.
Presentations concerning issues discussed during the lectures, provided by students.

English

Each student will be required to actively participate to the practical activity and work in groups or alone for the application of specific tools and models for the assessment of environmental impacts related to climate change. A summary report of the practical applications will be compiled by the participants and discussed with the professor during the exam.

written and oral