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As the effects of population pressure, unsustainable resource use and pollution increasingly influence natural systems, global social and economic stability and quality of life, an understanding of environmental issues is essential. This course aims to develop informed and positive attitudes toward environmental issues, an understanding of the causes and symptoms of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, and of corrective actions and the policies that support them.

This course provides a general introduction and overview of the emergence of environmental issues at the global scale and covers such topics as the physical environment, biological diversity, and human impact on the natural environment. Issues examined from a global perspective include food and fibre resources, water resources, energy production and use, mining, fishing and forestry, atmospheric pollution, climate change, urbanisation and waste management. The principles of sustainability are introduced and possible future management of resources and the environment are discussed.

On completion of this course students should be able to:

1. describe ecological theories central to global and regional environmental problems;
2. analyse the human species evolution, population growth and contemporary demographics in the context of environmental impacts and biodiversity loss;
3. critically review human interactions with the environment and the concept of the ecological footprint;
4. assess human impacts in the context of: land and water resources; energy and minerals; urbanisation and wastes; and atmosphere and pollution;
5. integrate the social, political, and economic aspects and biophysical aspects of the environment to contribute to a more sustainable future.