Human Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability

The aim of the course is to give a good understanding of the complexity of human adaptation to climate change and variability across a range of spatial and temporal scales - and including insights from natural, technical and social science, as well as ethical elements.

After completing the course the student will have obtained

knowledge of:

• Central theories, concepts and methods of adaptation to climate change and variability – including the concepts of vulnerability, resilience and adaptive capacity.
• Central constraints and possibilities related to the adaptive capacity of human beings and societies, at different spatial and temporal scales.
• How the diversity of contexts (socio-economic, political, institutional, and bio-physical) influence the adaptive capacity of communities, cities and nations across the world.

skills in:

• Describing central theories and concepts related to adaptation to climate change and variability.
• Selecting relevant theories and approaches to understand current and potential adaptation to climate change and variability at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.
• Comparing adaptation across different contexts (socio-economic, political, institutional, and bio-physical) and also develop generic insights based on such comparisons.
• Presenting and discussing, in oral and written form, complex issues involving both natural, technical and social science, as well as ethical elements.

have competences to:

• Critically assess current climate change adaptation strategies and future options at different spatial and temporal scales - using knowledge from a variety of scientific disciplines.
• Analyse the effects of the specific context (socio-economic, political, institutional, and bio-physical) on the possibilities and constraints for adaptation to climate change and variability.
• Evaluate different policy instruments available to facilitate adaptation to climate change and variability.