227-0803-00L  Energy, Resources, Environment: Risks and Prospects

SemesterSpring Semester 2017
LecturersO. Zenklusen, T. Flüeler
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractMultidisciplinary and interactive course analysing current debates on environmental and energy issues. Concepts such as risk, sustainable development and eco-efficiency are applied to case studies. Topics include: energy transition, nuclear energy and climate change, 2000-Watt-Society. The course is designed for a multidisciplinary audience and provides a training ground for critical thinking.
ObjectiveApply analytical tools from different disciplines to complex environmental issues. Understand interactions between the environment, science and technology, society and the economy. Develop skills in critical thinking as well as scientific reading, writing and presenting. Acquire capacities for identifying environmental problems, for reflecting upon proposed solutions and for contributing to ongoing debates.
ContentFollowing a multidisciplinary introduction into current issues of environmental and energy policy, the course develops theoretical and analytical approaches including "risk", "sustainability", "resource management", "messy problems" as well as concepts from institutional design and environmental economics. Large parts of the course are dedicated to case studies and contributions from participants. These serve for applying concepts to concrete challenges and debates. Topics may include: energy transition, the future of nuclear energy, innovation, carbon markets, climate change and development policy, dealing with disaster risk, the use of non-renewable resources, 2000-watt and 1-t-CO2 society.
Lecture notesPresentations and reader provided in electronic formats.
LiteratureReader provided in electronic formats.
Prerequisites / Notice-