Course description

The Global Environment Certificate programme is offered as an online distance learning 60-credit Postgraduate Certificate, comprising the following courses:

Compulsory Courses (40 credits)

Global Environment Challenges

This course introduces the nature and relevance of key environmental challenges. You will gain the necessary background to understanding the policies, politics, governance and ethics, and decision-making processes that underpin the causes of, and responses to, environmental change. Topics include climate change, food, water, population and growth — and the relationships between them at global, regional and local level.

You will gain insight into environmental challenges facing humanity and the ethical issues relating to the them. You will gain the skills to critically appraise the arguments surrounding such issues, and be able to communicate to others the reasons for and against a particular course of action in response to different environmental problems.

Course Organiser: Peter Alexander

Ecosystem Values and Management

This course considers the roles that ecosystems play in providing a range of ‘services’, including climate regulation, water, food, shelter as well as cultural and spiritual values. While recognising other perspectives, we focus on how healthy ecosystems underlie human well-being and quality of life. We will explore ways in which ecosystems’ scale, roles and functions can be valued.

You will develop your capacity to develop and critique valuations of ecosystems.

Course Organiser: Gary Watmough