Davoudi, S. Crawford, J. Mehmood, A., (2009) Planning for Climate Change London: Earthscan
Held, D. Theros, M., Fane-Hervey, A., (2011) The Governance of Climate Change London: Polity Press
Hulme, M. (2009) Why we disagree about climate change. Cambridge: Cambridge UP
Richardson., K., Steffen, W., Liverman, D. (2011) Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges and Decisions. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge
Whitmarsh, L., ONeill, S., Lorenzoni, I., (2010) Engaging the Public with Climate Change. London: Earthscan
Wilson, E (2010) Spatial Planning and Climate Change. London :Routledge

University Library, Learning Resource Centre, Internet & Email facilities; suitable room for group-based work - not tiered lecture theatre

1 x Portfolio (Learning Outcomes 1-5)

Additional Assessment details
The portfolio consists of a group project (1500 words equivalence) and an individual reflective element (1000 words).
The project involves research in climate change science, adaptation and mitigation strategies, with reference to a specific theme (e.g. agriculture, coastal regions, water resources, cities, vulnerable demographic groups) and the production of an artefact which attempts to communicate the findings of the research to a public audience. A reflective element allows the skills applied and learnt to be explicitly considered as part of the assignment and will also have an element of peer assessment. Formative feedback will be provided at an interim point in the production of the draft artefact.

The module will be delivered through a combination of:
(a) weekly 2 hour lectures (8*2=16 hours) which will introduce key themes of climate change science and social responses to the issue along with case studies of policy in practice in different settings,
(b) workshops @ 2 hours (4*2=8) which will take the from of group-based project work relating to the public communication of climate change science and response strategies.

Independent Study Hours

(c) independent learning through use of guided reading and web-based resources to support the reading around module topics and revision for the examination (80 hours)

(d) working alone and in collaboration on small group project outside the class session (46 hours)

Human-induced climate change is a reality. There is an increasing scientific evidence base that global temperature trends are reacting to the enormous quantities of greenhouses gases that have accumulated in the atmosphere over the past 150 years. However, there is considerable uncertainty and much debate about the causes and consequences of climate change making it difficult to identify and implement effective adaptation and mitigation strategies. This module will examine: the underlying causes and consequences of climate change - specifically, the science of climate change, the use of models to predict climate change - confidence in these models, worst and best 'case scenarios', the use of climate change models at different spatial scales (national, regional, local), impacts of climate change as predicted by key models, strategies for adaption and mitigation of climate change, and implications of climate change for sustainable development at national, regional and local scales. Particular attention is also given to the public awareness of climate change and the diverse methods used to engage with and develop public understanding of climate change, as a precondition for changes in lifestyles, community action, and wider social change.