Faculty of Science Course Syllabus Department of Economics/Physics and Atmospheric Science ECON 2850/PHYC 2850 (CRN: 30681/30680) Science and Economics of Climate Change Summer 2016 Instructors: Ruth Forsdyke [email protected] Room C25, Maxwell House TAs: Patrick Duplessis (Science) [email protected], Justin Creamer (Econ) [email protected] Lectures: Glen Lesins [email protected] Room 127, Dunn Building, Phone 2213 Every weekday from June 6 -­‐June 30, 9:05 am to 12:05 pm LSC Room C236 Laboratories: None Office Hours: Econ: Forsdyke (Mon., Wed., Thurs. 3 – 4 pm or by appointment), Creamer (Tues. 3-­‐4 or by appointment) Sci: Lesins by appointment, Duplessis by appointment. Tuesday June 21st, Excel Tutorial (after class) and one weekly review session after class (day of week to be decided) _____________________________________________________________________________________ Tutorials: Course Description This course examines how climate change will impact the environment and human activities, and how to formulate and implement economically realistic solutions. It integrates the physical and biological science with economics in order to analyze the response options as we move towards a carbon-­‐neutral society. Course Prerequisites Any first year science or math course or permission of the instructor Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes 1. Understand the basic science of global warming, climate change and ocean acidification and scientists’ recommendations. 2. Understand how economists explain global warming as a social problem and some suggested solutions. 3. Practice applying microeconomics and environmental economics in the context of global warming. 4. Be able to understand media coverage of climate change. 5. Understand policies economists recommend as solutions to global warming. 6. Gain some experience with working in a team to tackle climate change issues. 7. Learn critical thinking skills. Course Materials Course materials will be uploaded to the Brightspace course website. Recommended Textbook (Science): Dire Predictions by Mann and Kump, 2nd Ed., ISBN 978-­‐1-­‐4654-­‐3364-­‐0 Course Assessment Final Exam (June 30th in class)
40 %
th
Excel Assignment (due 9:05 am Wed June 8 )
5%
Several mini-assignments due next morning
5%
Quiz 1 (Friday June 10th)
6.67 %
th
Quiz 2 (Friday, June 17 )
6.67 %
Quiz 3 (Friday, June 24th)
6.67 %
Group Project (Written and Oral/ Mon, Tues June 27, 28) 25 %
Attendance
5%
Other course requirements None Conversion of numerical grades to Final Letter Grades follows the Dalhousie Common Grade Scale A+ (90-100)
A (85-89)
A- (80-84)
B+ (77-79)
B (73-76)
B- (70-72)
C+ (65-69)
C (60-64)
C- (55-59)
D
F
(50-54)
(<50)
Course Policies A doctor’s explanation note is required for any missed component in the grading scheme. No late submissions will be accepted without prior approval. If you know that you will need to leave class early, please inform the professor ahead of time so as not to disrupt the class. Tentative Course Content Week 1
Mon
1
Science Economics Overview / Define Climate/Atmospheric
and Oceanic Properties
Energy and Radiation /Regional Climate
Mechanisms of Climate Change /
External vs Internal/Paleoclimate
Carbon Cycle / Emissions to Climate
Change Pathway
Hydrological Cycle / Oceans
Overview/ Greenhouse gases as social
Problems/ Externalities /Kaya Identity
Demand and Supply and Market Efficiency
Social Efficiency & Market Failure due to
Externalities
Life Cycle Assessment/ Policies that Target
Goods Markets
Socially Efficient Emissions Levels/ One
Period Framework/ MAC MD Framework
Climate Models and Projections /
Feedbacks and Sensitivity
Impacts
Energy Demand
Developing a Rapid Assessment Model
Tipping Points
Policies that Target GHGs (Carbon Taxes,
Emissions Standards)
Social Cost Benefit Analysis & Discounting
Impact Analysis & Damage Measurement/
Abatement Costs and their Measurement/
Shifts of MACs & MDs related to Emissions
Scenarios/ Rebound Effect/ Carbon budget
Week 3
Mon
11
Tues
12
Nordhaus DICE Assessment Model
Nordhaus DICE Assessment Model
Wed
Thur
Fri
Alternative Energy Sources
Adaptation vs Mitigation
Geoengineering / Negative Emissions
Nordhaus DICE Model
Nordhaus DICE Assessment Model/ Short
term Macroeconomic issues
Cap and Trade
Cap & Trade & Policy Comparisons
Adaptation Policy/ Geoengineering/
Information Problems
Tues
Wed
2
3
Thur
4
Fri
5
Week 2
Mon
6
Tues
Wed
Thur
Fri
7
8
9
10
13
14
15
Week 4
Mon
16
Project Day 1: Student Presentations
Tues
17
Project Day 2: Climate Change Treaty Negotiations
Wed
18
Climate Policies and Treaties and Sum-up
Thur
19
Final Exam
Final Exam
____________________________________________________________________________________ ACCOMMODATION POLICY FOR STUDENTS Students may request accommodation as a result of barriers related to disability, religious obligation, or any characteristic protected under Canadian Human Rights legislation. The full text of Dalhousie’s Student Accommodation Policy can be accessed here: http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/academic/student-­‐accommodation-­‐policy-­‐wef-­‐
sep-­‐-­‐1-­‐-­‐2014.html Students who require accommodation for classroom participation or the writing of tests and exams should make their request to the Advising and Access Services Centre (AASC) prior to or at the outset of the regular academic year. More information and the Request for Accommodation form are available at www.dal.ca/access. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Academic integrity, with its embodied values, is seen as a foundation of Dalhousie University. It is the responsibility of all students to be familiar with behaviours and practices associated with academic integrity. Instructors are required to forward any suspected cases of plagiarism or other forms of academic cheating to the Academic Integrity Officer for their Faculty. The Academic Integrity website (http://academicintegrity.dal.ca) provides students and faculty with information on plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty, and has resources to help students succeed honestly. The full text of Dalhousie’s Policy on Intellectual Honesty and Faculty Discipline Procedures is available here: http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/academic-­‐integrity/academic-­‐policies.html STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT Dalhousie University has a student code of conduct, and it is expected that students will adhere to the code during their participation in lectures and other activities associated with this course. In general: “The University treats students as adults free to organize their own personal lives, behaviour and associations subject only to the law, and to University regulations that are necessary to protect • the integrity and proper functioning of the academic and non – academic programs and activities of the University or its faculties, schools or departments; • the peaceful and safe enjoyment of University facilities by other members of the University and the public; • the freedom of members of the University to participate reasonably in the programs of the University and in activities on the University's premises; • the property of the University or its members.”
The full text of the code can be found here: http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/student-­‐life/code-­‐of-­‐student-­‐conduct.html SERVICES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS The following campus services are available to help students develop skills in library research, scientific writing, and effective study habits. The services are available to all Dalhousie students and, unless noted otherwise, are free. Service Support Provided Location Contact Help with Killam Library In person: Killam Library Rm G28 General Ground floor By appointment: Academic -­‐ understanding degree requirements a
nd Rm G28 -­‐ e-­‐mail: [email protected] Advising Dalhousie Libraries academic regulations -­‐ choosing your major -­‐ achieving your educational or career goals -­‐ dealing with academic or other difficulties Help to find books and articles for assignments Help with citing sources in the text of your paper and preparation of bibliography Help to develop essential Studying for Success study skills through small group workshops or one-­‐
(SFS) on-­‐one coaching sessions Writing Centre Killam Library Ground floor Librarian offices Killam Library rd
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