Content of the different chapters: 1. Ecology and ecosystems: biology and the environment, biological change, flows of energy and matter in ecosystems, biogeographical zones, habitats. 2. Ecosystem functions and human impact: space intrusion and habitat destruction, shrinking biodiversity, eutrophication, acid rain, chemical pollution. 3: Sustainable development as a concept for societal evolution: origin of sustainability thinking, milestones in evolutionary thinking, the policy strategy of the European Union combining economic prosperity, high social standards and strong environmental protection. 4. Major issues for sustainable development in Europe: air pollution and traffic, water quality/quantity and agriculture/tourism, conserving soil and natural vegetation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, social and economic issues (aging population, economic shifts, European competitiveness in a global marketplace ). 5. Major issues for a global sustainable development: overexploitation of natural resources, population growth, poverty, diseases, lack of access to services, food security, industrial pollution in rapidly expanding economies, excessive urbanisation, impact of climate change; economic and social dis-equilibria. 6. Sustainable technologies: Towards a Third Industrial Revolution ? Energy efficient technologies, low carbon electricity generation, global earth observation. 7. Globalisation: concepts, opportunities and risks; winners and losers in a global competition, potential influence and impact of the European Union as a soft global power .
The presenter of this lecture course was from 2002 till 2007 Director of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in Ispra, Italy. Main task of the institute with 500 staff is to provide scientific advice to the European Commission, who is determining the guiding principles for the European Union and responsible for all legislative initiatives in the area of environment and sustainability. The lecturer has therefore an extensive international experience in respect to the topics presented in the lecture course.
grasserThis lecture course is part of the catalogue of "soft-skills" courses offered by the Vienna University of Technology. Essential basic knowledge to follow this course are fundamentals of technical sciences as taught in the first 2 semesters in all curricula. Attendance is therefore possible for students of all disciplines offered at the Vienna University of Technology.