Fall 2013 ESPP Courses

Environmental Science and Public Policy 44. Environmental Health Perspectives - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 51505
Chensheng Alex Lu (Public Health)
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
Meeting Location: Haller Hall, 24 Oxford Street, Room 102
This is a survey course designed to provide the foundations necessary to understand the basic concept of environ-mental health sciences with a global perspective. This course will introduce: 1) principle methodologies for environmental health science, 2) key environmental issues, 3) the impact to human health, 4) real-world environ-mental health research and its impacts. Various documentary films that address different global environmental health issues will be used to facilitate this course.
Prerequisite: LS 1 and PS 1

Environmental Science and Public Policy 77. Technology, Environment, and Society - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 11172
Sheila Jasanoff (Kennedy School)
Half course (fall term). M., W., (F.), at 10.
Lecture Meeting Location (MW 10): HUCE Seminar Room, 24 Oxford Street 3rd Floor
Friday Meeting Location: TBD
Our interactions with the natural world are increasingly mediated through changes in technology. Technologies create risks, generate solutions, reshape the environment, and alter our perception of the boundaries between nature and artifice. This course draws on major theories of technology and society to inform and deepen our understanding of environmental problems and policy options.
Note: Expected to be bracketed in 2014/15

*Environmental Science and Public Policy 90j. Environmental Crises, Climate Change, and Population Flight
Catalog Number: 9841
Jennifer Leaning (Public Health) and James J. McCarthy
Half course (fall term). M., 2–4:30.
Meeting Location: HUCE Seminar Room, 24 Oxford Street 3rd Floor
War, disaster, drought, or famine force people to flee their land. Climate change is contributing to many of these factors. The humanitarian consequences of population flight, including loss of place and livelihood, are filled with complexity, relating to the extent and permanence of environmental destruction wrought by these crises, people’s attachment to their homes and ecosystems, the circumstances of departure, the destinations of refuge, and the possibilities for return. These issues will be examined through case studies and review of literature on forced migration and calamity.

*Environmental Science and Public Policy 90n. China’s Energy Economy: Perspectives from the Past: Challenges for the Future
Catalog Number: 8477
Michael B. McElroy and Xi Lu
Meeting Location: HUCE Seminar Room, 24 Oxford Street 3rd Floor
The seminar will provide a historical perspective on the development of the Chinese economy with emphasis on the energy sector, including analysis of related environmental problems. Energy options available for China’s future will be discussed, including opportunities for clean-coal technology, nuclear, wind, hydro, and biofuels. The seminar will discuss tradeoffs implicit in these choices with respect to reconciling competing goals for environmental protection and economic development.

Environmental Science and Public Policy 90v. Economic Evaluation of Environmental Regulation
Catalog Number: 74118
James K. Hammitt (Public Health)
Half course (fall term). Tu., 2:30–5.
Meeting Location: Geological Museum Room 418
What level of environmental protection is best? Stronger regulations provide greater protection against the target harm, but generally at the cost of reduced economic consumption or increases in other environmental harms. What principles can be used to determine the ‘right’ level of protection, and how can regulations be evaluated? This course provides an introduction to environmental risk assessment and benefit-cost analysis of environmental regulation, incorporating theory and case studies.

Environmental Science and Public Policy 90w. European Environmental Challenges and Policies - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 19594
Eloi Laurent
Half course (fall term). Th., 2:30–5.
Meeting Location: Geological Museum Room 418
The seminar will explore current and future environmental challenges in Europe and related policies in the European Union (EU), starting with an introduction to the EU’s institutions and environment. Specific challenges include climate change adaptation, mitigation (economic instruments and international negotiations), biodiversity and ecosystems preservation (economics of biodiversity) and energy. Specific policies include environmental justice (environmental inequalities), human development and environmental sustainability indicators ("beyond GDP"), decoupling (carbon intensity and resource productivity improvement) and green economy.