A circular economy makes use of various strategies such as reducing, reusing and recycling that together eliminate waste, lower material and resource consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There is a significant link between the circular economy and climate change. The transitioning to a circular economy can arguably mitigate greenhouse gasses and carbon dioxide emissions that emerge from extractive industries, manufacturing, construction, transportation and other sectors.
Climate change adaptation can also be circular. In the context of cities, urban planning, electromobility, circular waste management, trees and green areas, reducing emissions of gaseous pollutants, etc, offer great opportunities for both circularity and adaptation.
Some of the basic pillars of the circular economy are human health and wellbeing, society and culture, biodiversity, materials, energy and water. In this frame, the course of “Climate System and Climate Change” will offer to the students the opportunity to access the knowledge of climate systems and climate change impact on circular economy and more specifically, the impact of climate change on the basic pillars of circular economy.
The impact of climate change and its effects on the global climate systems, the role of climate change on land use and generally the role of climate change in shaping the global climate systems, as well as the process of weather and biometeorological conditions prognosis are integral parts of this course.
Course Content-Chapters
The core modules of the course include:
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Climate System & Climate System Components
Chapter 2: Natural and Human-induced Climate Variations
Chapter 3: Urban Climate and Climate Change
Chapter 4: Biometeorology and Microclimate-Human thermal comfort and wellbeing
Chapter 5: Modelling the Climate System and Climate Change
Chapter 6: International Policy on Climate Change
Chapter 7: The Impact of Climate Change on Society and Culture in the Frame of Circular Economy
Chapter 8: The Impact of Climate Change on extreme weather events in the Frame of Circular Economy
Chapter 9: The Impact of Climate Change on biodiversity in the Frame of Circular Economy
Chapter 10: Air Pollution Impact on Climate Change and Circular Economy
Chapter 11: Transportation and Urban Mobility. The Contribution of Electromobility on Climate Change and Circular Economy
Chapter 12: Prognosis and Optimization of Environmental Quality with the application of Artificial Neural Networks. Prediction of Atmospheric Environment quality and adverse effects on Circular Economy
Course Outline
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