Climate Change and the Environment

Year
1
Academic year
2023-2024
Code
02037019
Subject Area
Physical Geography
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
7.5
Type
Compulsory
Level
2nd Cycle Studies - Mestrado

Recommended Prerequisites

Solid knowledge on Climatology and synoptic analysis.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical sessions complemented by the presentation and critical discussion of the topics indicated in the syllabus, illustrated with the analysis of specific cases and the supervision of the elaboration of a practical research work.

Learning Outcomes

The main goal of this curricular unit is to analyse climatic changes and variability in time and space at global and mesoclimatic scales, as well as topoclimatic modifications from an explanatory perspective with an integrated dynamic and geographic basis applied to environmental management and planning.

Students are expected to develop skills of explanatory analysis of climate-meteorological changes and their environmental consequences at different scales from the perspective of their intrinsic dynamics and anthropic intervention.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Global climate change. Climate change over the last two millennia. Recent climate changes. Explanatory factors. Feedback mechanisms

2. Mesoclimatic variability in a context of climate change. Climatic-meteorological paroxysms. Cold and heat waves, meteorological droughts, intense / prolonged precipitations, tempestuous winds. Dynamic-geographical causes. Environmental consequences

3. Topoclimatic and environmental modifications resulting from urban land occupation. The urban climate and the human bioclimate

4. Climate change, environmental consequences and land use planning. Adaptation and mitigation.

Head Lecturer(s)

Nuno Ganho Gomes da Silva

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Class attendance: 10.0%
Research work: 90.0%

Bibliography

- Alcoforado, M. J. et al. (2008). Estudos Sobre Cidades e Alterações Climáticas, Centro de Estudos Geográficos, Universidade de Lisboa, Relat. 8, Lisboa, 108p.

- Barry, R. G. e Blanken, P. D. (2016).  Microclimate and Local Climate. Cambridge University Press, New York, 316p.

- Burroughs, J. (2007). Climate Change. A Multidisciplinary Approach (2nd ed.), Cambridge University Press, New York, 392p.

- Gartland, L. (2011) - Heat Islands. Understanding and Mitigating Heat in Urban Areas. Earthscan, London, 192p.

- Leroux, M. (2005). Global Warming – Mith or Reality? The Erring Ways of Climatology. Praxis, Chichester, UK, 509p.

- O´Hare, G., Sweeney, J. and Willby, R. (2005) - Weather, Climate and Climate Change. Human Perspectives, Prentice Hall, 403p.

- Oke, T. R., et al. (2017). Urban Climates. Cambridge University Press, New York, 552p.

- Santos, F. D. et. al. (2006). Alterações Climáticas em Portugal. Cenários, Impactos e Medidas de Adaptação. Projecto SIAM II, Gradiva, Lisboa, 506p.