Changements climatiques: impacts et solutions

Teacher(s)

Delmelle Pierre (coordinator); Marbaix Philippe; van Ypersele de Strihou Jean-Pascal;

Language

French

Content

This course provides basic training on the issue of climate change and ways to reduce its impacts or partially mitigate it. The course is based on a structure close to that of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change): 1) Physical-chemical basis; 2) Impacts, vulnerability and adaptation; 3) Mitigation (reduction of greenhouse gas emissions).

Teaching methods

This is a face-to-face course, with guest speakers. The presence of the students is therefore required. Most of the lectures are given in French, except for those given by non-French speaking guests, who speak in English.

Evaluation methods

Part of the assessment will be based on a written assignment in which students will have to demonstrate their ability to research and select scientific information on a topic related to climate change, its consequences, or ways to avoid it, and integrate it with the knowledge acquired in the course. Another part of the assessment will be based on a written exam (at least part of which is a MCQ).

Other information

General interest course, mainly aimed at students of the interdisciplinary Master of Science and Management of the Environment and Sustainable Development, but also accessible to any holder of a Baccalaureate degree.
One of the main references is the latest IPCC reports (Special Reports published since 2018, volumes of the 6th Assessment Report published by each of the three Working Groups in 2021 and 2022, Synthesis Report if published in time for the course in 2023), in particular their summaries for decision-makers and their technical summaries, all available at www.ipcc.ch.

Online resources

www.ipcc.ch
www.plateforme-wallonne-giec.be (especially the Letters, including the April 2019 Letter)
www.skepticalscience.com
www.climate.be
www.climate.be/impacts
www.climate.be/vanyp

Bibliography

Les rapports du GIEC, disponibles à la BST sur papier, ou sur www.ipcc.ch
van Ypersele, J.P, Th. Libaert, Ph. Lamotte (2015) Une vie au coeur des turbulences climatiques. De Boeck (disponible à la BST)

Teaching materials

• Syllabus du cours, complété par les dias présentées au cours

Faculty or entity

ENVI