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Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part II)
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:54:16
Abstract
This second part of the lecture on Energy and Environment in the 21st century covers the state of human civilization and its impact on the environment. We find many unsustainable aspects and try to investigate the consequences. Can we find and maintain a sustainable way of life? Do we find scientific measures and ethical guidelines to stay within the planetary boundaries?
Objective
Can we find a scientifically useful definition of sustainability? We try to understand the unsustainable aspects of our current lifestyle and our society. Investigate the unsustainable use of ressources, environmental destruction, climate change and mass extinctions. 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 - can we? What about existing models/experiments promise to transform the human society into the direction of sustainability? Which guide lines and transformational designs can we follow into a sustainable world?
Content
Introduction to "sustainability" (26.2.) Population Dynamik (5.3.) Finite (energy)-resources (12.3.) Waste problems (19.3.) Water, soil and industrial agriculture (26.3.) Biodiversity (16.4.) Limits to growth (23.4.) Over the limits (30.4.) Growth, de-growth and the doughnut economy (7.5) Sustainability, how to achieve? (14.5.) Interdisciplinary environmental science (21.5.) Environmental ethics and policies (28.5.) Possible ways into sustainability – how is your 2040 or 2050 (4.6)
Resources
Literature
Environmental Physics (Boeker and Grandelle) Humanökologie (Nentwig) Limits to growth (Meadows, Meadows, Randers and Behrens) A prosperous way down: Principles and Policies (Odum and Odum) Come On! (Weizäcker and Wijkman)
Learning Materials (Links)
- Moodle course
- Moodle-Kurs / Moodle course
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 (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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