Course Name Climate Change: Principles and Applications

Course Code AES211

Programme 1. BSc Environmental Protection, Technology and Design
name and (Environmental Protection and Management) (HEPTDEPM), Level 2
level 2. BSc Environmental Protection, Technology and Design
(Environmental Technology and Design) (HEPTDETD), Level 2
3. BSc Honours in Agricultural Economics (Agricultural and Rural
Development) (HAABEARD), Level 2
4. BSc Honours in Agricultural Economics (Agribusiness Management)
(HAABEAM), Level 2
Credits 5
Coordinator Dr Farai Mapanda

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course assesses basic concepts, theories and evidence of climate change, and
examines the historical, environmental, social, economic and political dimensions of
climate change. The backdrop of negative impacts of climate change and variability, which
indicate that human-caused climate change represents one of the greatest environmental
challenges of 21st century, will be assessed. The course has been designed to introduce
students to key aspects driving the physical, chemical, biological and social dimensions of
global climate change. Particular focus will be on understanding the global climate
system; causal factors influencing climate across different time scales and how those
factors interact, and its impacts on key developmental sectors including environment,
agriculture, health, tourism, forestry and industry. The course will explore how climate
has changed in the past and will change in the future focusing on natural and
anthropogenic drivers of climate change including the impacts such as global warming,
agricultural and food production, mitigation and adaptation practices, climate change
modelling, and international efforts to address climate change issues. Efforts will be made
to use local examples to illustrate some of the principles, although it is important to
appreciate that the boundaries of causes and impacts of climate change may be difficult to
define.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students successfully completing of the course will be able to:
 Evaluate the various natural and anthropogenic factors that shape climate
 Describe how past climates contribute to our current understanding of climate
change
 Characterize and understand the interactions of atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic
systems
 Analyze climate change impacts and potential responses in different development
sectors
 Explain the consequences, risks, and uncertainties of climate change
  Understand the concepts of adaptation and mitigation strategies for different
development sectors
 Identify possible adaptation strategies for communities under different livelihood
systems
 Relate and evaluate the successes and failures of past international efforts to
address climate change, and evaluate prospects for future management of climate
change.
 Analyze and critique policy issues related to climate change

TEACHING METHODS
Formal classroom lectures, presentations/seminars by students and guest lecturers,
laboratory-based practicals and field visits/trips will form part of the delivery of course
material. While lectures are not compulsory, all students are required to attend practical
classes. The classes will be a mix of exercises using computers, monitoring and
observation in the field and lab. It is essential that students are punctual. A mix of theory
and field and laboratory techniques will be used.

COURSE CONTENT
The course will be grouped into three broad categories, namely:
1. The science of global warming, A
2. Climate change impacts; Adaptation and mitigation options in different
developmental sectors, B
3. International responses to global warming and climate change (treaties,
conventions and policies)

Module A: The Science of Global Warming

Week 1. Introduction – [3 hrs]
Definitions of weather, climate and climate change; The science behind climate and
weather; global warming and greenhouse gases; History of Earth's climate
Week 2. Climate dynamics - [3 hrs]
Historical evidence of climate change; Climate forcing factors (natural &
anthropogenic); Ecological balance of natural systems (Biogeochemical cycles)

Module B: Climate change impacts in different development sectors

Weeks 3-6. Global and local evidence of climate change and variability – [12
hrs]
Vulnerability of African systems; Climate change impacts on agriculture;
environment (endangered species, ecosystems, and biological resources); health;
tourism; aquatic systems; and industry
Weeks 7-8. Adaptation and mitigation [6 hrs];
Understanding adaptation and mitigation; Case studies in adaptation and
mitigation (e.g. carbon credits; REDD+; WWF; clean development mechanism;
 aviation industry; etc.); Fundamental requirements for adaptation in Africa;
Sustainable development concept;
Week 9. Predicting the future [2 hrs]
GCMs & predictions; climate change feedback

Module C: International responses to global warming and climate change

Week 9-10. Ethics and the environment [4 hrs]
Future technologies: carbon sequestration, biofuels, hydrogen, geoengineering;
Environmental law

Week 11-12. International Agreements [6 hrs]

Policy and regulations; The UNFCCC and global climate change; The IPCC
Assessments; Conference of Parties;

List of practicals/field visits

Practical 1: Mapping climate change impacts
Practical 2: Visit to the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences
Laboratories
Practical 3: Is our climate changing? Survey of climate change – visit to a nearby
communal set-up
Practical 4: Problem tree analysis
Practical 5: Measurements of CO2, N2O
Practical 6: Visit to the Department of Meteorological Services
Identification of Community-based Adaptation and Coping strategies
Practical 7: Analysis of COP meetings – Web-based practical

COURSE ASSESSMENT
At the end of the semester there will be a three-hour written examination that is worth
70% of the overall assessment. The other 30% will come from your continuous
assessment which will include class and field assignments, tests/quizzes, group projects,
and/or oral presentations

Please note that students who do not achieve 40% overall in the continuous
assessments will not be allowed to sit for the final examination.

READING MATERIALS

Reports
1. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (IPCC) Reports (2001; 2007; 2014)
www.ipcc.ch
2. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – www.unfccc.org
3. www.aip.org/history/climate/

(available in the Main Library) :

1. Ayoade, J. O. 1983. Introduction to climatology for the tropics
2. Buckle, Colin. 1996. Weather and climate in Africa
3. Ominde S.H. and Juma Calestous, 1991. A Change in the weather : African perspectives
on climatic change
4. Tyson, Peter Daughtrey. 1986. Climatic change and variability in Southern Africa

UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE E-RESOURCES

Journals

1. Environmental Claims Journal Volume 27, Issue 1, 2015

http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/becj20/current#.VQmtqfXHG_I

2. International Journal of Water Resources Development Volume 31, Issue 1, 2015

http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cijw20/current#.VQmuAfXHG_I

3. Climate and Development Volume 7, Issue 2, 2015

http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tcld20/current#.VQmuWfXHG_I

4. Environmental Communication Volume 9, Issue 1, 2015

http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/renc20/current#.VQmuw_XHG_I

5. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment Volume 202, 1 April 2015, Pages 8–16
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01678809

6. Global Environmental Change Volume 29, November 2014

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09593780

7. Remote Sensing of Environment Volume 137, October 2013, Pages 299–309

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00344257

8. Global Environmental Change Volume 28, September 2014, Pages 325–336

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09593780

Books
1. Forest, Sherrie, and Feder, Michael A. Climate Change Education Goals, Audiences,
and Strategies: A Workshop Summary. Washington, DC, USA: National Academies
Press, 2011. ProQuest Ebrary. Web. 18 March 2015.

2. National Research Council Staff. Adequacy of Climate Observing Systems.

Washington, DC, USA: National Academies Press, 1999. ProQuest Ebrary. Web. 18 March
2015.

3. ADB. Guidelines for Climate Proofing Investment in Agriculture, Rural

Development, and Food Security. Manila, PHL: ADB, 2012. ProQuest Ebrary. Web. 18
March 2015.
4. Doyle, Julie. Mediating Climate Change. Farnham, Surrey, GBR: Ashgate Publishing
Group, 2011. ProQuest Ebrary. Web. 18 March 2015

5. Asian Development Bank. Mainstreaming Climate Change in ADB Operations.

Manila, PHL: Asian Development Bank, 2009. ProQuest Ebrary. Web. 18 March 2015.

6. Interaction between climate change, air pollution and related impacts.

Copenhagen, DNK: Nordic Council of Ministers' publishing house, 2008. ProQuest Ebrary.
Web. 18 March 2015.

7. Masters, Lesley, and Duff, Lyndsey, eds. Overcoming Barriers to Climate Change
Adaptation Implementation in Southern Africa, Cape Town, ZAF: Africa Institute of
South Africa, 2012. ProQuest Ebrary. Web. 18 March 2015.

8. Ranghieri, Federica, and Shah, Fatima. Climate Resilient Cities: A Primer on

Reducing Vulnerabilities to Disasters. Herndon, VA, USA: World Bank Publications,
2008. ProQuest Ebrary. Web. 18 March 2015.

9. National Research Council. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change. Washington,

DC, USA: National Academies Press, 2010. ProQuest Ebrary. Web. 18 March 2015.

10. FAO. FAO Forestry Papers, Volume 172: Climate Change Guidelines for Forest
Managers. Rome, ITA: FAO, 2013. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 18 March 2015.