Course Description
Both domestically and internationally, human society is currently facing various environmental problems. About half a century ago, there was a common understanding that “environmental problems” referred to pollution. However, today, a wide variety of problems, such as global climate change, conserving biodiversity, and ocean plastics, must be considered. It is not an overstatement to say that a basic knowledge of environmental issues will be essential no matter what field of expertise students progress into. In these lectures, students will learn a broad range of fundamental knowledge on environmental issues.
In many cases, it will be too late to address environmental issues if we wait until clear scientific evidence is presented. Thus, it is necessary to deal with the problems we are facing at the same time as undertaking research activities to clarify their scientific basis. In these lectures, students will acquire the latest information on environmental issues and develop the ability to think independently by working on assignments using newspapers, academic literature, and books, etc.