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Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part II)
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:41:26
Abstract
Despite the widely used concepts of sustainability and sustainabledevelopment, one remarks the absence of a scientificdefinition. In this lecture we will discuss, based on the natural laws and the scientific method, various proposed concepts for adevelopment towards sustainability.
Objective
A scientifically useful definition of sustainability? Unsustainable aspects of our lifestyle and our society? (unsustainable use of ressources, environmental destruction and climate change, mass extinctions etc) How long can humanity continue on its current unsustainable path, what are the possible consequences? Historical examples of society collapse. What can we learn from them. Existing Gedanken models/experiments (like Permaculture) promise to transform the human society into the direction of sustainability. If these ideas would theoretically transform our global society into a sustainable one, what are the large scale limitations and why do we not yet follow these ideas?
Content
Introduction ``sustainability" (21.2.); Population Dynamik (28.2.); finite (energy)-resources (6.3.); waste problems (13.3.); water, soil and industrial agriculture (20.3.); biodiversity (27.3.); (un)-sustainable development (3.4./24.4./8.5); example for sustainable systems; human nature, Ethics and earth-care(?) (15.5./22.5.) summary (29.5.)
Resources
Lecture Notes
Web page:http://ihp-lx2.ethz.ch/energy21/index.html
Literature
for example: Environmental Physics (Boeker and Grandelle) A prosperous way down: Principles and Policies (H. Odum and E. Odum)
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- ``Entwicklung zur Nachhaltigkeit" Moeglichkeiten und Grenzen
- Recording
- Grundlagen für den Weg in die Nachhaltigkeit
- Learning environment
- Literatur
- Documents
- Weiterfuehrende Vortraege und Publikationen
- Literature
- weiterfuehrende Literatur
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DZ , BSC , SHE , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part II) |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise | Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part II) |
|
1 h weekly |
Offered In
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Physics TC (Detailed information on the programme at: )
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Physics Teaching Diploma (Detailed information on the programme at: )
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Spec. Courses in Resp. Subj. w/ Educ. Focus & Further Subj. Didactics (Students who entered the teaching diploma in the spring semester 2014 or later have to pass the Internship in Physics Didactics. All other courses in this area can be chosen individually. Students who entered the teaching diploma before the spring semester 2014 have to do either a Mentored Work or the Internship in Physics Didactics. Of course it is also possible to complete and count both units for the teaching diploma. Core courses that counted towards the Bachelor or Master programme in physics or comprised additional admission requirements in subject didactics are not eligible for the teaching diploma.)
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Compulsory Elective Courses (Further course offerings from the category Educational Science are listed under "Programme: Educational Science for Teaching Diploma and TC".)
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