The Challenge of Climate Change: Strategies of the European Union, the United States and China

Description

This course will examine the state of the world in terms of climate change and focus on the response of three world leaders: the European Union, the United States and China.  First, we will survey the current context and trends: temperature rise, sea level rise, glacier melt, biodiversity, human population and consumption of natural resources. Then, we will explore and compare the records (greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, etc.), goals (reduce ecological footprint), and progress of the three leaders, as well as the effectiveness of a selection of international agreements (UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement).

Fundamental questions will be debated in class, such as: Is it still possible to reverse climate change or has the point of no return been passed, requiring forced adaptation to new circumstances?  Is the goal of keeping global temperature increase to 2°C possible without a paradigm shift? What level of action - individual (lifestyle), nation-state, international – offers the greatest chance of mitigating the effects of climate change?  Given the shortcomings of the most powerful governments (and societies) in addressing the crisis, what solutions should be pursued?  After decades of disappointing results in emissions reduction strategies, what alternative actions would be more successful?

Interactive activities (debates, presentations, talk shows, mock national or international conferences) will take place during most sessions. Students will be asked to do some research and explore solutions to specific cases, and encouraged to share their ideas and debate the merits of different approaches.