Short Course Description
Sustainability Transitions for People and Planet
Miranda A. Schreurs
Professor of Environment and Climate Policy, Technical University of Munich
This block seminar will address some of the most pressing problems facing the global community, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, and chemical and plastic pollution. It will consider the factors contributing to these problems, as well as the actors, ideas, and institutions that are trying to bring about change. Various concepts such as the European Green Deal, climate neutrality, circular economy, net biodiversity gain will be discussed. The course will also consider how environmental topics can serve as a form of track two diplomacy between states experiencing tensions in their bilateral relations.
Students will be expected to research and write a 15-page paper, make a 15 minute presentation about a topic to be approved by the professor, participate in an environmental simulation, and contribute actively to class discussion.
Class 1. From Our Common Future to the Sustainability Goals and Beyond
Class 2. Toxic Chemicals to Plastic ? Consumer Behavior and Regulatory Responses
Class 3. International Political Success (?) Stories: Acid Rain, Ozone Depletion
Class 4. Climate Change Politics: The International Climate Negotiations
Class 5. Climate Negotiation Simulation
Class 6. Energy Transitions: Breaking the Dependence on Fossil Fuels
Class 7. Energy Transition Simulation
Class 8. Path Dependencies and the Mobility Transition
Class 9. The Ecological and Societal Footprints of Consumption
Class 10. Circular Economy.
Class 11. Environmental Ethics
Class 12. Biodiversity Conservation
Class 13. NIMBY versus YIMBY
Class 14. Creating Sustainable, Livable Cities
Class 15. Environmental Peacebuilding
Full syllabus is to be published
