Global Environmental Problems: Surveying The Human Footprint

What you'll learn
This course will provide students with a deeper understanding of anthropogenic influences on Earth.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify major causes of climate change.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify potential solutions to problems we are collectively facing, this century.
Requirements
Other than a good internet connection, the ability to read and download pdfs, and an open mind, nothing is required.
Description
This course explores the environment through the lens of human influence. We will discuss human behavior as it relates to the treatment and use of the environment, from a geographical perspective. We will focus on spatial dimensions of global environmental issues, which includes Earth's subsystems, population growth, land-use change, industry and uneven development, specific examples of the human footprint, and climate change.
Overview
Section 1: An Introduction to Global Environmental Problems
Lecture 1 Using Geography to Understand Global Environmental Problems
Lecture 2 Garrett Hardin's 1968 "Tragedy of the Commons"
Section 2: Understanding Earth's Systems
Lecture 3 Energy & Subsystems
Lecture 4 The Carbon Cycle & Biodiversity
Section 3: Humans and Land-use Change
Lecture 5 Human Population Growth
Lecture 6 Agriculture and Agribusiness
Lecture 7 Forest Resources & Deforestation
Lecture 8 The Urban Habitat
Section 4: The Human Footprint
Lecture 9 Pollution
Lecture 10 Waste
Lecture 11 Mining & Resource Extraction
Lecture 12 Conventional Energy...

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