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402-0742-00L 6 Credits BSC , DZ , SHE , MSC D-GESS , D-PHYS
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Energy and Sustainability in the 21st Century (Part II)

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Peter Morf
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:33

Abstract

This second part of the lecture on "Energy and Environment in the 21st century" covers on one side the state of human civilization and its devastating impacts on the environment. On the other side we try to find ways into sustainability. Can natural science, economics, social sciences or philosophy help to find scientific measures and ethical guidelines to stay within the planetary boundaries?

Objective

Which Impacts do humans have on the planetary systems? We try to understand the unsustainable aspects of our current lifestyle and our society. Investigate the unsustainable use of resources, environmental destruction, climate change and mass extinctions. How much longer can humanity remain on its current, unsustainable path? What are the possible consequences? Can we learn from historical collapse of societies? Which of the existing models/experiments promise to change human society toward sustainability? Which guidelines and transformational designs can we follow into a sustainable world?

Content

1. Introduction to the lecture and a short history of the human-environmental interaction (23.2) 2. Population growth – the impact of humans (by number) (1.3) 3. Biodiversity loss – understanding the reasons and implications (8.3) 4. Wastes and pollutions – the residues of our industrial culture, how to go on? (15.3) 5. Agriculture and Fishing – where do we stand, what to do? (22.3) 6. Systems, Ecosystems and The Planetary Boundaries (12.4) 7. Limits to growth – models, economics and resource extractions (19.4) 8. Over the limits – the consequences of destruction, over-use and over-pollution (26.4) 9. Environmental Economics – growth, de-growth – path into sustainability (3.5) 10. What can science do? The two cultures (10.5) 11. Sustainability – what can it be? How to achieve? (17.5) 12. Environmental ethics and policy - how can personal and social life be made sustainable? (24.5) 13. Our future – possible ways into sustainability (31.5)

Resources

Lecture Notes

https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/mod/resource/view.php?id=1022709

Literature

Environmental Physics (Boeker and Grandelle) Humanökologie (Nentwig) Limits to growth (Meadows, Meadows, Randers and Behrens) Come On! (Weizäcker and Wijkman) Doughnout Economics (Kate Raworth)

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , DZ , SHE , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 30 minutes
Language of examination: English or German / Prüfungssprache: Deutsch oder EnglischBITTE BEACHTEN: Die mündliche Prüfung dauert 20 MINUTEN pro Kandidat. Aus technischen Gründen werden im Vorlesungsverzeichnis 30 Minuten pro Kandidat publiziert.PLEASE NOTE: The oral examination takes 20 minutes per candidate. For technical reasons, 30 minutes per candidate are published in the course catalogue.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Energy and Sustainability in the 21st Century (Part II)
  • Fri 08:45-10:30 (HPK D 24.2)
2 h weekly
exercise Energy and Sustainability in the 21st Century (Part II)
  • Fri 10:45-11:30 (HPK D 24.2)
1 h weekly

Offered In