ENE452 Seminar: Climate Change and Ethical Challenges

• Topics

  The course consists of lectures and student group work.

  The following topics are relevant for discussion in lectures and student groups:

  • ethical perspectives of climate change
  • ethics and the precautionary principle
  • research & science ethics
  • ethics of science-policy interactions
  • ethics and geoengineering
  • climate science and social values
  • various ethical cases/questions

• Learning outcome

  Knowledge

  Upon successful completion the student

  • knows some basic ethical theories
  • knows the basics of climate change and related ethical challenges
  • is familiar with international aspects and possible conflicts between rich and poor countries related to climate change
  • is familiar with intergenerational aspects and challenges of climate change
  • is familiar with uncertainty and policy issues of global warming - knows geoengineering principles and related ethical issues

  Skills

  upon successful completion the student

  • can discuss and reflect on ethical questions of climate change
  • can apply basic ethical theories to climate change challenges

  General competences

  upon successful completion the student

  • has practice preparing and discussing ethical problems in small and large groups
  • has in-depth insight into some of the ethical challenges of climate change

• Teaching

  One week long intensive course with lectures and student group activities. If necessary due to the Corona situation, lectures will be given by Zoom.

• Credit reduction due to overlap

  None.

• Requirements for course approval

  Full attendance is mandatory; either on digital platforms or in the auditorium depending on the situation. 

• Assessment

  3 days individual home exam (publication day 1 at 09.00, submission day 3 by 14.00)

• Grading Scale

  Pass - Fail.

• Literature

  To be announced on Canvas.