Conservation Controversies Literature Seminar

2.0 credits · Graduate

This seminar course is designed to give graduate students mid-level understanding of a suite of timely topics in environmental conservation and sustainability. We will discuss contentious topics, exploring different scientific perspectives as well as feedbacks among science, policy, management, and public perceptions. The overall learning objective is to encourage students to think critically and openly discuss the scientific and sustainability dimensions of major challenges in managing the Earth system in the21st century. A recurrent theme will be how these thorny issues are communicated and understood among scientists, decision makers, and the public. The semester will be divided into four thematic modules: 30x30 and the efficacy of protected areas, Carbon as a currency of sustainability, Feeding 9 billion, and Sustainability of renewable energy.