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Climate change and sustainability science

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

  • 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

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • Global Environmental Issues

      The session introduces various global environmental issues and discusses the challenges that passed to the 21st century.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Nobuo Mimura

      Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

  • 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

    • What is Sustainable Development?

      The session highlights “The Limits to Growth” and the Brundtland Commission Report, which introduced the concept of sustainable development.

    • 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.

    • 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

    • Nobuo Mimura

      Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

    • Yasuko Kameyama

      Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Science, The University of Tokyo

  • 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

    • Climate Change and Biodiversity

      This chapter highlights the importance of biodiversity conservation and discuss its connection to climate change issues.

    • Climate change and Cities

      The chapter outlines the global urbanization trends and the roles of cities in both climate change mitigation and adaptation.

    • 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

    • Nobuo Mimura

      Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

    • Akio Takemoto

      Head of Programme and Administration, UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability

  • 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 change

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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

    • Kazuya Yasuhara

      Professor Emeritus & Specially Appointed Researcher, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

    • Yasutaka Wakazuki

      Associate Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

    • Hideo Shiogama

      Director of the Earth System Risk Analysis Laboratory, Earth System Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies

  • 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

    • 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.

    • 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

    • Kazuya Yasuhara

      Professor Emeritus & Specially Appointed Researcher, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

    • DO Thi Nhinh

      Ph.D. Candidate, Kyushu University

  • 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

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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

    • Kazuya Yasuhara

      Professor Emeritus & Specially Appointed Researcher, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

  • 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

    • 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

    • Kazuya Yasuhara

      Professor Emeritus & Specially Appointed Researcher, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

    • Hideo Komine

      Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University

    • Takeshi Tatsuhara

      Lecturer, Waseda University

  • 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

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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

    • Nobuo Mimura

      Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

  • 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

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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

    • Nobuo Mimura

      Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

    • Takuya Nomoto

      Senior Negotiator, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan

  • 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

    • 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.

    • CO2 emission reduction strategy 1

      Introducing the technological strategy roadmaps of key industries, including automobiles, aircraft, ships, and thermal energy.

    • 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

    • Kotaro Tanaka

      Professor, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University

  • 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

    • 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.

    • Adaptation Measures

      Introducing adaptation measures for coastal areas and natural disasters, as well as adaptation strategies in agriculture, with a focus on Japan.

    • Building Societal Resilience

      Explaining the concept of resilience and examining the necessary conditions for building social resilience.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Nobuo Mimura

      Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

  • 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

    • 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.

    • What is CRD?

      Introducing the fundamental concept of CRD and discussing the conditions for its implementation and the relationship with the SDGs.

    • Approaches to CRD

      Discussing strategies for achieving Climate Resilient Development (CRD) by integrating climate change measures with sustainable development.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Nobuo Mimura

      Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

  • 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

    • 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.

    • 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

    • Nobuo Mimura

      Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

    • Kazuya Yasuhara

      Professor Emeritus & Specially Appointed Researcher, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

    • Takuya Nomoto

      Senior Negotiator, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan

    • Shouichirou Higuchi

      Director of Environment Solution, Innovation Promotion Department, Innovation Headquarters,, Toda Corporation

    • Makoto Kato

      General Manager, Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center

  • 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

    • 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.

    • Tipping Points

      Discussing global tipping points, such as the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet and the decline of the Amazon rainforest.

    • 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

    • Nobuo Mimura

      Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

    • Makoto Okada

      Professor, Graduate school of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University

  • 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

    • 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.

    • Education in Sustainability Science

      Introducing the significance and development of the education in sustainability science at Ibaraki University.

    • 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

    • Nobuo Mimura

      Specially Appointed Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

    • Mitsuru Konno

      Vice President, Ibaraki University

    • Makoto TAMURA

      Professor, Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute, Ibaraki University

Staff/スタッフ

    Nobuo Mimura
    Ibaraki University Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute
    Specially Appointed Professor
    Career

    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 Kameyama
    The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Frontier Science
    Professor
    Career

    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 Takemoto
    UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability
    Head of Programme and Administration
    Career

    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 Yasuhara
    Ibaraki University Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute
    Professor Emeritus & Specially Appointed Researcher
    Career

    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 Wakazuki
    Ibaraki University Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute
    Associate Professor
    Career

    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 Shiogama
    National Institute for Environmental Studies Earth System Division
    Director of the Earth System Risk Analysis Laboratory
    DO Thi Nhinh
    Kyushu University
    Ph.D. Candidate
    Hideo Komine
    Waseda University Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Creative Science and Engineering
    Professor
    Career

    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 Tatsuhara
    Waseda University
    Lecturer
    Takuya Nomoto
    Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan Senior Negotiator
    Kotaro Tanaka
    Ibaraki University Graduate School of Science and Engineering
    Professor
    Career

    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 Higuchi
    Toda Corporation Innovation Promotion Department, Innovation Headquarters,
    Director of Environment Solution
    Makoto Kato
    Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center
    General Manager
    Makoto Okada
    Ibaraki University Graduate school of Science and Engineering
    Professor
    Career

    2022-Present Dean, Faculty of Science, Ibaraki University
    2015-2022 Professor, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University

    Mitsuru Konno
    Ibaraki University
    Vice President
    Career

    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 TAMURA
    Ibaraki University Global and Local Environment Co-creation Institute
    Professor
    Career

    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

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