Carbon: Science, Society & Change – (M.Sc.)

The rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) will modify the global climate system. Increasing public interest and media attention on the issue of climate change has combined with attempts by governments and businesses to reduce their carbon emissions to ameliorate the effects. There is a growing interest in the carbon cycle from both scientists and policy makers, and an economic need for trained professionals who can make informed decisions about policies designed to reduce greenhouse gases.
This programme will examine how the carbon cycle functions and will explore both natural and human influences. It will investigate how societal strategies to curb the rise of carbon in the atmosphere can range from behavioural change and conservation, market based approaches or environmental management, and students will be exposed to the scientific basis and the environmental consequences of steps taken to ameliorate the rise of atmospheric carbon.