
Subject | Others
Climate change and sustainability science
- Climate change
- Risk
- Mitigation and Adaptation
- Climate resilient development
Sustainability and climate change are critical challenges for the human society. This lecture aims to present a broad range of knowledge, including the Earth’s environmental systems and social science insights into the society. The lecture is structured to cover the background and mechanisms of climate change, its impacts and risks, mitigation and adaptation, and the evolution of international efforts. It also incorporates interviews with diverse individuals involved in climate-related fields to convey the realities on the ground..
The lecture welcomes the students from all disciplines. We hope that each student can reflect on the connections between their own area and climate change solutions or sustainability science.
Content/学習内容
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Emergence of Sustainability 1 : Looking back to the 20th Century
- Socio-economic Development
- Sustainability
The lecture explores the background of sustainability in relation to the development of human activities.
Videos
/学習動画
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Introduction
The aims of this lecture is explained, through the overviews of climate change, the relationship between climate change and sustainable development, and the climate-resilient development.
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Growth in the 20th Century
The session highlights the 20th century as an era of growth, while this growth brought about the perspective of sustainability.
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Global Environmental Issues
The session introduces various global environmental issues and discusses the challenges that passed to the 21st century.
Lecturers
/講師
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Nobuo Mimura
Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Emergence of Sustainability 2: Sustainable Development
- Progress in Sustainable Development
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Sustainable development and climate change
The lecture explains the background behind the sustainable development and demonstrates how it has significantly influenced the direction of 21st-century society.
Videos
/学習動画
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What is Sustainable Development?
The session highlights “The Limits to Growth” and the Brundtland Commission Report, which introduced the concept of sustainable development.
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Progress in SD
This chapter shows the progress from the Millennium Development Goals to the SDGs and examine how climate change has been highlighted within this context.
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Significance of SD and SDGs
The chapter examine the key significance and characteristics of SDGs through a discussion with Prof. Kameyama from the University of Tokyo.
Lecturers
/講師
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Nobuo Mimura
Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Yasuko Kameyama
Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Science, The University of Tokyo
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Emergence of Sustainability 3: Sustainable Development and Climate Change Issues
- climate change responses
Explain the position of climate change issues within the context of sustainable development.
Videos
/学習動画
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Climate Change and Biodiversity
This chapter highlights the importance of biodiversity conservation and discuss its connection to climate change issues.
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Climate change and Cities
The chapter outlines the global urbanization trends and the roles of cities in both climate change mitigation and adaptation.
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Special lecture: Challenges of Renewable Energy Development
Dr. Takemoto from the United Nations University introduces topics around rare metal resources essential for the development of renewable energy.
Lecturers
/講師
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Nobuo Mimura
Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Akio Takemoto
Head of Programme and Administration, UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability
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Risk in Climate Change 1: Impact Risks in Climate Change
- Mechanism
- GHGs
- Future projection
An overview of scientific research on the causes, mechanisms,
and future predictions of global warming and climate changeVideos
/学習動画
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Mechanism of Global Warming
An overview of the causes of global warming, greenhouse gases, and the mechanisms that lead to global warming will be presented.
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Future Projection of Global Warming
This lecture explain briefly how to predict the future environment due to global warming and provide an example of a prediction based on the IPCC report.
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Recent Research on Global Warming Projection: Interview with an Expert
Introducing the latest research on the estimation of factors behind
past climate changes and the reduction of uncertainties in future predictions using climate models.
Lecturers
/講師
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Kazuya Yasuhara
Professor Emeritus & Specially Appointed Researcher, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Yasutaka Wakazuki
Associate Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Hideo Shiogama
Director of the Earth System Risk Analysis Laboratory, Earth System Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies
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Risk in Climate Change 2: Impact Risks in Climate Change
- Vulnerability
- Risk
Introduce the impacts of climate change on the world, highlighting the global risks and the characteristics of damage in vulnerable natural environments and developing countries.
Videos
/学習動画
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Impact on natural environments and changes on climate disasters
Describe the impacts of climate change on the natural environment and the accompanying changes in weather-related disasters. Among the affected areas, focus on disasters related to the natural environment and on water, food, health, and impacts on biodiversity in relation to the human environment.
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Impacts on world regions and earth systems
Focus on the impact cases in Asia, Africa, and small island.
developing states, which are vulnerable to climate change, and.
describe the characteristics of the impacts in each region. -
Interview with Ph.D. student engaging in climate change
After discussing opinions on the actual situation of climate change impacts in Vietnam, we conduct an interview about the content of her current doctoral research on climate change.
Lecturers
/講師
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Kazuya Yasuhara
Professor Emeritus & Specially Appointed Researcher, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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DO Thi Nhinh
Ph.D. Candidate, Kyushu University
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Risk in Climate Change 3: Impact Risks in Climate Change
- Compound disasters
- Prevention and risk reduction
- Proactive response
An overview of scientific research on the causes, mechanisms, and future predictions of global warming and climate change. In particular, it focuses on the characteristics of disaster situations in Japan among global natural disasters and the current status and prospects of disaster prevention and mitigation measures in response to them.
Videos
/学習動画
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Recent situation of natural disasters
This explains the recent situation of natural disasters in the world, Asia, and Japan, focusing on disasters caused by climate change.
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Compound disasters and chained disasters
Among natural disasters, it is particularly important to emphasize that compound disasters and cascading disasters are more significant than single disasters. In this context, specific examples of compound disasters will be introduced.
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New aspects of disaster responses
The key words for reducing natural disasters caused by climate
change are (1) proactive measures, (2) interdisciplinary integration and collaboration, and (3) synergy effects. Additionally, it is emphasized that trade-offs should be avoided in interdisciplinary integration and collaboration.
Lecturers
/講師
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Kazuya Yasuhara
Professor Emeritus & Specially Appointed Researcher, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Risk in Climate Change 4: Impact Risks in Climate Change
- Extreme events
- Risk communication
This presentation will focus on extreme natural disasters such as compound and cascading disasters, introducing both general approaches to risk and the perspectives on climate change impact risks as presented by the IPCC. Additionally, it will share the results of discussions on the necessity of risk communication, which includes self-help, mutual assistance, and public assistance, for risk reduction.
Videos
/学習動画
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Climate Impact Risk and Risk Assessment 1
Among the climate impact risks, focusing on extreme phenomena,
it is stated that the risk assessment includes (i) scientific aspects, (ii) environmental aspects, (iii) social aspects, and (iv) human aspects. -
Risk Management and Risk Communication
Introduce global examples of risk management and highlight the
necessity for managing climate change impact risks, particularly focusing on (i) reducing vulnerability through proactive forecasting (enhancing resilience), and (ii) the importance of risk communication, including self-help, mutual assistance, and public assistance. -
Climate Impact Risk and Risk Assessment 2
Through the definition of risks related to global environmental issues and risk management, conduct an open discussion among researchers, practitioners, and students about the future of risk communication, aiming to explore ‘shared awareness of the crisis posed by climate change and strategies for response.
Lecturers
/講師
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Kazuya Yasuhara
Professor Emeritus & Specially Appointed Researcher, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Hideo Komine
Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University
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Takeshi Tatsuhara
Lecturer, Waseda University
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Climate Change Responses 1: Climate Science and Role of IPCC
- Climate science
- Relationship of science and climate policy
This lecture introduces the IPCC’s efforts in providing a scientific basis for climate policy through climate change assessments, along with the key findings of its latest report.
Videos
/学習動画
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IPCC 6th Assessment Report 1
Introduction to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. This lecture presents the causes of global warming and future projections of climate change.
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IPCC 6th Assessment Report 2
Second session on the Introduction to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. This lecture covers impact projections of climate change and mitigation measures.
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Role of IPCC
Understanding the critical role of the IPCC as an international scientific assessment body and an overview of its assessment process.
Lecturers
/講師
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Nobuo Mimura
Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Climate Change Responses 2: UN Framework Convention and Paris Agreement
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- Paris Agreement
- COP Meetings and International Negotiation
This lecture presents the international framework for climate change responses, with a focus on the Paris Agreement, including the targets, achievements, and challenges.
Videos
/学習動画
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History of International Climate Change Action
Introducing the trajectory of climate change responses that began with the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992.
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Paris Agreement
Explaining the content and significance of the 2015 Paris Agreement, followed by a discussion on the challenges in achieving the 1.5°C target set by the agreement.
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Interview with COP Negotiator
The COP conferences are held annually to strengthen international efforts. This chapter includes an interview on the actual proceedings of the COP meetings, with a focus on COP29.
Lecturers
/講師
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Nobuo Mimura
Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Takuya Nomoto
Senior Negotiator, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan
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Climate Change Responses 3: Mitigation and Carbon-Neutral Society
- Mitigation
- Technological developments
- Carbon-Neutrality
This lecture introduces mitigation measures as a key pillar of climate change response, including an outline of CO₂ emissions, sectoral response strategies, and technological developments.
Videos
/学習動画
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CO2 emission long-term easing
Providing an overview of CO₂ emission sources by country and sector, along with an explanation of emission reduction plans for Japan and other nations.
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CO2 emission reduction strategy 1
Introducing the technological strategy roadmaps of key industries, including automobiles, aircraft, ships, and thermal energy.
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CO2 emission reduction strategy 2
Continuing from the previous session, this lecture explains technological developments in hydrogen and ammonia utilization industries, wind power, solar power, and carbon recycling.
Lecturers
/講師
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Kotaro Tanaka
Professor, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University
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Climate Change Responses 4: Adaptation and Resilience
- Adaptation
- Vulnerability
- Resilience
This lecture Introduces the concept of resilience against adverse impacts and discusses adaptation measures as well as strategies for building resilience across society.
Videos
/学習動画
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Adaptation: Concept and Strategies
Explaining hazards, exposure, and vulnerability as key factors for the impacts of climate change. Additionally, introducing the role of adaptation measures and the current situation in Japan.
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Adaptation Measures
Introducing adaptation measures for coastal areas and natural disasters, as well as adaptation strategies in agriculture, with a focus on Japan.
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Building Societal Resilience
Explaining the concept of resilience and examining the necessary conditions for building social resilience.
Lecturers
/講師
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Nobuo Mimura
Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Climate Change Responses 5: Climate Resilient Development
- Sustainable development
- Integration of mitigation and adaptation
- SDGs
Discussing the concept and significance of Climate Resilient Development (CRD) as a key objective of climate change measures.
Videos
/学習動画
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Human Society, Climate System, and Natural Ecosystems
Introducing Copenhagen’s efforts to integrate mitigation and adaptation measures into urban policy, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2025.
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What is CRD?
Introducing the fundamental concept of CRD and discussing the conditions for its implementation and the relationship with the SDGs.
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Approaches to CRD
Discussing strategies for achieving Climate Resilient Development (CRD) by integrating climate change measures with sustainable development.
Lecturers
/講師
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Nobuo Mimura
Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Climate Change Responses 6: Frontlines of Climate Change Measures
- Japan’s climate change policies
- corporate initiatives
- international cooperation
Through interviews with persons actively engaged in climate change measures, we gain insights into how the strategies we have studied so far are being implemented in practice.
Videos
/学習動画
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Report: Japan’s Climate Change Policy
This section introduces Japan’s climate change measures announced at COP29, focusing on mitigation strategies, financial support, and GHG emission monitoring.
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Report: Corporate Measures- Toda Corporation
We present the results of interviews on the initiatives of a leading
construction company that is comprehensively addressing global environmental issues, including the SDGs. -
Report: International Cooperation
Examples of Japan’s international cooperation is introduced such as support for the development of Bangkok’s climate change strategy and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion(OTEC).
Lecturers
/講師
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Nobuo Mimura
Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Kazuya Yasuhara
Professor Emeritus & Specially Appointed Researcher, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Takuya Nomoto
Senior Negotiator, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan
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Shouichirou Higuchi
Director of Environment Solution, Innovation Promotion Department, Innovation Headquarters,, Toda Corporation
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Makoto Kato
General Manager, Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center
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Climate Change Responses 7: New Challenges
- Planetary boundaries
- Tipping Points
- Anthropocene
Examining new issues that have emerged in the 21st century, closely related to sustainability.
Videos
/学習動画
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Evolving Global Challenges
Explaining new global challenges that have emerged in the 21st century and perspectives on them. The first session will examine planetary boundaries.
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Tipping Points
Discussing global tipping points, such as the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet and the decline of the Amazon rainforest.
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Interview on the Anthropocene
Discussing the background and significance of the proposal to define the present era as the Anthropocene with Professor Makoto Okada from the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.
Lecturers
/講師
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Nobuo Mimura
Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Makoto Okada
Professor, Graduate school of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University
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Sustainability Science and Integrated Climate Change Science
- Education in sustainability science
- Integrated climate change science
Examining the background, significance, and future prospects of sustainability science and comprehensive climate change science as emerging academic fields.
Videos
/学習動画
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Development of Sustainability Science
Explaining the background of how sustainability science emerged and presenting the efforts undertaken by Japanese universities, including The University of Tokyo and Ibaraki University.
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Education in Sustainability Science
Introducing the significance and development of the education in sustainability science at Ibaraki University.
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Roundtable Discussion: Toward the Development of Integrated Climate Change Science
Building on past achievements, three professors discuss the content and future prospects of comprehensive climate change science that Ibaraki University aims to develop.
Lecturers
/講師
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Nobuo Mimura
Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
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Mitsuru Konno
Vice President, Ibaraki University
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Makoto TAMURA
Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University
Staff/スタッフ
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Nobuo MimuraIbaraki University Global and Local Environment Co-creation InstituteSpecially Appointed ProfessorCareer
2020ーPresent Professor Emeritus, Specially Appointed Professor, Ibaraki University
2014-2020 President, Ibaraki University
2006-2014 Director/Professor, Institute for Global Change Adaptation Science(ICAS), Ibaraki University -
Yasuko KameyamaThe University of Tokyo Graduate School of Frontier ScienceProfessorCareer
2023-Present Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo
2022-2023 Senior Principal Researcher, Social Systems Division,National Institute for Environmental Studies(NIES)
2020-2022 Director, Social and Environmental Systems Research Center, National Institute for Environmental Studies(NIES) -
Akio TakemotoUNU Institute for the Advanced Study of SustainabilityHead of Programme and AdministrationCareer
2020- Head of Programme and Administration, UNU-IAS.
2020 Senior International Coordinator, Ministry of the Environment
2018- 2020 Senior Environment Specialist, Global Environment Facility(GEF)
2017-2018 Counsellor, Global Environment Bureau,Ministry of the Environment -
Kazuya YasuharaIbaraki University Global and Local Environment Co-creation InstituteProfessor Emeritus & Specially Appointed ResearcherCareer
2010 – Present Emeritus Professor/Special Researcher, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute(GLEC), Ibaraki University
2018 – 2023 Visiting lecturer, Master’s Program in Climate Change and Development, Vietnam Japan University
1991 – 2010 Professor, Department of Urban and Civil Engineering, Ibaraki University -
Yasutaka WakazukiIbaraki University Global and Local Environment Co-creation InstituteAssociate ProfessorCareer
2016- Present Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, Ibaraki University
2018 – Present Visiting Lecturer, Master’s Program in Climate Change and Development, Master’s Program in Climate Change and Development,Vietnam Japan University
2012-2016 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba.
2007-2012 Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology.
2002-2007 Advanced Earth Science and Technology Organization -
Hideo ShiogamaNational Institute for Environmental Studies Earth System DivisionDirector of the Earth System Risk Analysis Laboratory
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DO Thi NhinhKyushu UniversityPh.D. Candidate
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Hideo KomineWaseda University Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Creative Science and EngineeringProfessorCareer
2014-Present Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Waseda University
2006 – 2014 Institute for Global Change Adaptation Science (ICAS), Ibaraki University
2001- 2014 Facility of Engineering, Department of Urban and Civil Engineering, Ibaraki University,
1987- 2001 Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry -
Takeshi TatsuharaWaseda UniversityLecturer
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Takuya NomotoGlobal Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan Senior Negotiator
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Kotaro TanakaIbaraki University Graduate School of Science and EngineeringProfessorCareer
2023 – Present Director, Carbon recycling energy research center, Ibaraki University
2018 – Present Professor, Ibaraki University
2014 – 2018 Associate professor, Ibaraki University
2012 – 2014 Lecturer, Ibaraki University
2010 – 2011 Environmental science center, Department of Environmental Systems, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo
2009 CNRS, Nancy University, France
2007 – 2009 Environmental safety and traffic laboratory -
Shouichirou HiguchiToda Corporation Innovation Promotion Department, Innovation Headquarters,Director of Environment Solution
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Makoto KatoOverseas Environmental Cooperation CenterGeneral Manager
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Makoto OkadaIbaraki University Graduate school of Science and EngineeringProfessorCareer
2022-Present Dean, Faculty of Science, Ibaraki University
2015-2022 Professor, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University -
Mitsuru KonnoIbaraki UniversityVice PresidentCareer
2024-Present Executive Director / Executive Vice-President, Ibaraki University
2020-2024 Vice President, Ibaraki University
2018-2020 Special Advisor to the President/Vice Director, Research and Innovation CenterIbaraki University
2016-2017 Vice Director, Social Collaboration Center, Ibaraki University
2007-2016 Professor, College of Engineering, Ibaraki University -
Makoto TAMURAIbaraki University Global and Local Environment Co-creation InstituteProfessorCareer
2024 – Present Professor/Vice director, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute(GLEC), Ibaraki University
2022 – Present Vice director, Ibaraki Local Climate Change Adaptation Center(iLCCAC)
2022 – 2024 Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute(GLEC), Ibaraki University
2018 – Present Visiting lecturer, Master’s Program in Climate Change and Development, Vietnam Japan University
Competency/コンピテンシー
Course Objectives
The goal is to cultivate the following competencies:
・Systematic understanding of the background behind the sustainability.
・Understanding of the role of climate change issues in sustainable development.
・Comprehension of the risks and impacts of climate change, resilience, and the strategies for addressing these challenges (mitigation and adaptation strategies).
・Ability to understand the climate-resilient and sustainable development and relationship with one’s own area.
Learning Outcomes
Evaluate the following abilities by a rubric-based quizzes and reports:
・Knowledge of climate change
・Problem analysis skills related to climate change
・Motivation and attitude toward promoting climate change responses
Information/その他の情報
References
IPCC (2023) Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023. The Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2022) Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2022) Climate Change 2022:Mitigation of Climate Change, Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
Rosenzweig, C., M. Parry, and M. De Mel (Eds.), 2022: Our Warming Planet: Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation. Lectures in Climate Change, Vol. 2. World Scientific, doi:10.1142/12312.
IPCC (2023) Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023. The Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2022) Climate Change 2022:Mitigation of Climate Change, Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2023) Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023. The Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2022) Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2022) Climate Change 2022:Mitigation of Climate Change, Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2023) Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023. The Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC(2021) Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2022) Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2022) Climate Change 2022:Mitigation of Climate Change, Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2023) Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023. The Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2022) Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
Rosenzweig, C., M. Parry, and M. De Mel (Eds.), 2022: Our Warming Planet: Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation. Lectures in Climate Change, Vol. 2. World Scientific, doi:10.1142/12312.
IPCC (2023) Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023. The Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC(2021) Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
IPCC (2022) Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
Contact/お問合せ先
tenkai@m.ibaraki.ac.jp