Courses at CEU
Introduction to Climate Change
Climate change is often referred to as the largest challenge of our times and the concern about the future of our civilisation is especially deep among the youth resulting in high levels of climate anxiety. How much are these concerns justified by science? Can we still reverse climate change? What opportunities do we have to reach the ambitious global climate goals? Can we do it in ways that will also improve well-being or enhance other societal goals? What are some of our key strategies to prepare for what is unavoidable?
The course gives an overview of the key topics related to climate change from the scientific foundations, impacts, main strategies for adaptation and mitigation. The course is mostly based on the most recent reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), supplemented by further recent scientific literature, and reviews the main findings from these.
As many topics related to climate change are associated with scientific or ethical debates, it is important to understand the facts and key arguments on the different sides of these debates. Therefore a key element of the course is the student presentations-debates in which you will critically discuss the scientific underpinnings of the controversies about a dividing climate topic, or provide a critical review on the scientific accuracy of a defining or influential piece of art (book, film) related to climate change.
The course consists of lectures, student presentations and debates, critical assessment of related films-books, and readings.
It is possible that there will be a non-mandatory field trip related to the course to visit the world’s-first passive house buildings in Vienna, but this depends on the availability of external funding that is in process.
Climate Change: Drivers, Mechanisms, Impacts and Responses
Climate change is often referred to as the most pressing challenge of our time, with concerns about the future of our civilisation especially deep among the youth. How much are these concerns justified by science? Can we still reverse climate change? What opportunities do we have to reach the ambitious global climate goals? Can we do it in ways that will also improve well-being or achieve other societal goals? What are some of our key strategies to prepare for what is unavoidable?
This course gives an overview of the key topics related to climate change from the scientific foundations, impacts, main adaptation strategies and mitigative actions. The course is mostly based on the most recent reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, supplemented by further recent scientific literature, and intergovernmental reports, reviewing the main findings from these.