ENVS634 - Closing the Loop on Climate Change: Policy & Actions

Historical consumption of materials and land resources has resulted in increasing per capita waste and greenhouse gas emissions. This course will explore opportunities to address the challenges of climate change through sustainable closed-loop approaches for materials and land. Alternative views of the drivers of climate changing greenhouse gases and the relative contributions of various sectors of the U.S. economy will be presented. The implications of climate change, economic costs of climate change mitigation and adaptation, rising energy prices, land use, and waste management issues will be discussed. The course will identify policy needs at all levels (international, national, state, and local) as well as practical solutions for greenhouse gas reductions. The course will explore in depth local policies and actions (e.g., recycling efforts and land use planning) that complement national and international efforts (e.g., cap and trade system and carbon tax).