F1ES 4330 - Global Warming: Identification and Mitigation of Climate Risks

Global surface temperature was 1.2°C higher in the last decade than in the preindustrial era. All continents are exposed to climate risks. Extreme weather events are now occurring all over the world. Importantly, human-induced climate change is likely to occur much rapidly than previously expected. Thus, increasing the exposure of ecosystem services to unprecedented conditions with negative impacts on food, energy, and water security as well as global governance and peace. Settlements and infrastructure must be made climate-proof to ensure human security and to limit economic and financial risks. We are already witnessing how progress made in reducing poverty is reversing reversed and efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are hindered. The failure of COP29 and the geopolitical context are likely to increase climate-related risks in the coming years.

The lecture starts with a deep dive into climate science and politics to understand how and why climate change is occurring and the gap between scientific findings and political decisions. Using the latest IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) findings. Students will be guided in understanding the causes of climate change, global climate scenarios and policies aiming at mitigating climate risks.

The lecture will end by discussing student’s views on the contribution of climate science to climate action.

Learning Outcomes:

1.Basis of climate science

2.Interpretation of climate scenarios

3.Differences and complementarities between climate mitigation and climate adaptation policies

4.Methodologies to assess some climate risks

Professional Skills:

• Critical analysis of scientific information
• Decision-making based on a scientific assessment of climate risks

An interest in climate change issues.

Being open-minded

The final mark will be provided two weeks after the last session and will be calculated as the weighted average of the three marks (group presentation (40%), Average mark of the 4 quizzes (20%) and the individual essay and presentation (40%)

Three-pronged approach will be used to evaluate students’ progress in understanding climate risks and how to mitigate them

• Group evaluation
• Students are divided into groups of maximum 3.
• Each group selects a topic from the outline of the lecture et prepares a summary of the main findings of the literature (see next slide)
• The main findings are shared with the class based on pre-defined schedule (see next slide)
• Presentations should be uploaded in Moodle no later than one week after the presentation is given
• Individual evaluation
• Quiz: From the 2nd session onwards, each new session will start with a quiz to assess the learnings of the previous session
• Essay
• Each student is asked to draft a short essay of maximum 500 words on the contribution of climate science to climate action and on how to accelerate the change to avoid the overshot of the 1,5°C target of global warming.
• Each student will present his/her essay in 3 mins to the class.

Course workload:

-In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester

-Reading and Preparation for Class: 20 hours a semester

-Research and Preparation for Group Work: 20 hours a semester

-Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 10 hours a semester