2019-2020 / SPAT0077-1

How to keep our Earth habitable: measures to mitigate climate change

Duration

15h Th

Number of credits

 Specialised master in cosmos exploration2 crédits 

Lecturer

Emmanuel Mahieu

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course will address the following topics:



  • The infrared radiation and the greenhouse effect; basic concepts in spectroscopy
  • Inventory of the major greenhouse gases (natural and anthropogenic): sources and sinks
  • Halogenated gases and stratospheric ozone
  • Tropospheric ozone and atmospheric pollution
  • Success and failure of the International treaties/protocols (Montreal, Kyoto and Paris) aiming at limiting greenhouse gas emissions

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:


  • Review the main anthropogenic and natural greenhouse gases, report about their respective contributions to radiative forcing, describe their past and present atmospheric burden
  • Describe the aims and measures adopted by the international Protocols to limit greenhouse gas emissions

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic concepts in physics and chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Series of 2-3hour lectures.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Face-to-face lectures.

Recommended or required readings

The students will be encouraged to read sections of international assessments (IPCC, WMO,...) as well as scientific papers bringing additional relevant information with respect to the course contents.

Assessment methods and criteria

Based on an oral exam (two questions pulled at random).

Work placement(s)

N/A

Organizational remarks

The lectures will be organized during the 1st quadrimester of the academic year.

Contacts

Emmanuel Mahieu
Département d'Astrophysique, de Géophysique et d'Océanographie Groupe InfraRouge de Physique Atmosphérique et Solaire (GIRPAS) Building B5a, room 0/6
emmanuel.mahieu@uliege.be http://labos.ulg.ac.be/girpas/en/
T. +32 4 366 97 86

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

N/A

Assessment subjects

All topics covered during Q1 are subject to examination.

Assessment methods

At least four weeks ahead of the session, the student will chose two topics part of the course, in agreement with the teacher.
During a skype/jitsy virtual meeting taking place during the session, he/she will elaborate on the two subject during about ten minutes per topic, with or without supporting material. He/she will then be asked a few questions in order to evaluate his/her understanding and mastering of the matter.

Contacts

In case of doubt or question, please contact me at: emmanuel.mahieu@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

Same as for the June 2020 session

Assessment methods

Same as for the June 2020 session

Contacts

emmanuel.mahieu@uliege.be

Items online

Lecture slides
The course notes will consist in an electronic copy of the slides presented and discussed during the successive classes