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Martin Beniston
and
Markus Stoffel
What is climate change ? How are mountain regions affected by the evolution of water resources and their uses ? What kind of risks need to be considered ?
Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have in the past, and may increasingly in the future, place pressure on their resource base.
Read more
What is climate change ? How are mountain regions affected by the evolution of water resources and their uses ? What kind of risks need to be considered ?
Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have in the past, and may increasingly in the future, place pressure on their resource base.
Read more
What is climate change ? How are mountain regions affected by the evolution of water resources and their uses ? What kind of risks need to be considered ?
Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have in the past, and may increasingly in the future, place pressure on their resource base.
In this context, a team of roughly 100 experts worked from 2008 to 2013 for the European ACQWA project (www.acqwa.ch) which was coordinated by the University of Geneva. The primary objectives of the project were to assess the impacts of a changing climate on the quantity and quality of water originating in mountain regions, particularly where snow- and ice melt represent a large, sometimes the largest, streamflow component. A further objective of the project was to determine the potential disruptions to water-dependent economic activities related to the climate impacts on hydrological systems, and to propose a portfolio of possible adaptation strategies.
This particular MOOC is inspired by the ACQWA Project and offers a better understanding of climate change, its impacts on the quality and quantity of water in mountain regions and the risks related to changing water resources. From an interdisciplinary perspective, the participation of twenty-five instructors from five different countries (Switzerland, England, South Korea, India and Nepal) and fourteen institutions (UNIGE, RTS, UNIFR, UZH, ETHZ, Meteodat GmbH, WGMS, Imperial College London, Agroscope, République et Canton de Genève, Yonsei University, IHCAP, ICIMOD, SDC, FOEN) highlights the diversity of both theoretical and practical viewpoints related to these issues.
By the end of this course, you will be able :
- to define the general concept of climate change in mountain regions
- to understand the concepts associated with climate change such as adaptation and water governance strategies
- to consider the impacts of climate change on water resources in mountain regions
- to identify the impacts of climate change on hydropower, agriculture, aquatic ecosystems and health
- to enumerate risks that can occur in mountain areas and lead to disruptions in water availability and use.
Your acquired knowledge will be evaluated through multiple-choice quizzes at the end of each unit of the course.
This MOOC on “Climate Change and Water in Mountain Regions : A Global Concern” was initiated and financed by the University of Geneva, through its Institute for Environmental Sciences.
We look forward to you joining us !
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/ljem5v/climate
What's inside
Syllabus
Unit 0: Welcome Unit
View an introductory video on the ACQWA Project, read key introductory documents, say hello to your fellow classmates and express your interest in the topic.
Read more
Syllabus
Unit 0: Welcome Unit
View an introductory video on the ACQWA Project, read key introductory documents, say hello to your fellow classmates and express your interest in the topic.
Read more
Unit 1: Introduction to climate change
In this module, you will learn about the functioning of the climate system, in particular the numerous interacting components such as the atmosphere, the oceans, the cryosphere and the biosphere. Physical mechanisms that can disrupt climate on different time and space scales will be outlined, and the concepts underlying anthropogenic climate change will be introduced. Following a brief overview of how climate simulation models function, you will be able to see what may be the evolution of climate over coming decades in response to increases in greenhouse-gases in the atmosphere, and what are the limits and uncertainties to these model projections.
Unit 2: Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources
In this unit, you will learn about observed trends in glacier retreat and changes in mass balance. Different methods of mass balance measurements are presented. Ongoing and projected climate change by the end of the century will have fundamental consequences on the cryosphere. In this module, you will realize what the consequences of glacier retreat are on glacial runoff regimes and on global scale runoff. You will become familiar with changes in snow cover in different mountain regions of the World. Further, the basic mechanics of glacier flow and an overview of processes leading to glacier instability will allow you to understand how climate variables, among other factors, may potentially modify the frequency of glacial lake drainage, glacier surge and the break-off of glaciers. Finally, this module discusses how the calving of ice sheets will impact sea level rise and where uncertainties persist in the projection of these changes.
UNIT 3: Impacts of Climate Change on Water Uses
In this module, you will learn about the impacts of climate change on different sectors, such as the economy, the environment or the health. In mountain regions, glacier retreat, warmer waters or modified runoffs will for instance impact hydroelectric installations production, biodiversity and all kind of living organisms. In the lowlands, the agricultural sector will also have to deal with water scarcity to reduce yield vulnerability. You will also see that warmer temperatures can be beneficial to certain plants like grapevine but that it can also enhance the development of insect pest generating damages or favour disease transmissions to human being.
Unit 4: Recommendations for Adaptation and Water Governance Strategies
In this module, you will learn about the concepts of social network analysis and adaptive capacities, and the central role they play in the implementation of adaptation strategies and in the reduction of ecosystems vulnerability to climate change. The ecosystems will illustrate the mutual benefits that can occur between actors and mechanisms. Concrete examples and case studies will emphasize the mutual benefits and the mechanisms that can occur in a network of actors and how those interactions can help in reducing natural risk disasters.
Unit 5: Risk management
In this module, you will learn about the role ongoing climatic changes have on the occurrence of natural hazards in high mountain environments, and how their temporal frequency and magnitude is being influenced by the ongoing warming.
Concrete examples and case studies will emphasize these changes in process behavior of glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs), debris flows and rockfalls. In addition to the illustration of changes in the physical processes, this module will also illustrate how Switzerland is coping with these changes and how natural hazard risk is being addressed by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) through an Integrated Risk Management.
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Examines climate change in mountain regions, a topic highly relevant to the impacts of climate change globally
Develops foundational knowledge of climate change and its impacts on water resources in mountain regions, a topic highly relevant to both academics and practitioners in the field of climate change science
Covers a wide range of topics including climate change impacts on hydropower, agriculture, aquatic ecosystems, and health, reflecting the multifaceted impacts of climate change in mountain regions
Offers an interdisciplinary perspective with instructors from various backgrounds and institutions, providing diverse insights on climate change and water resources management in mountain regions
Emphasizes risk management and adaptation strategies to address climate change impacts in mountain regions, a topic of increasing importance in the context of global climate change
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Reviews summary
Well-received mountain water course
Learners say this course on Climate Change and Water in Mountains is engaging and informative. The lectures discussed a wide range of subjects around water in mountainous regions. Many students found the course comprehensive and well-produced. However, some students noted that the difficulty of the exams and quizzes was challenging.
Course largely positive about climate change risks in mountain water resources.
"This course provides very good comprehensive knowledge of climate change risks in mountain."
"Climate change was interested course"
"it was wonderful experience to learn about climate change"
Course discusses a wide range of topics in climate change and water in mountains.
"Very diverse and interesting course. Each module was given by the person who was expert in that area and very informative."
"Very interesting course that deals with a wide range of subjects around water in mountainous regions."
Learners found engaging assignments on water management in mountain regions.
"Very useful course to understand the climate change scenario on mountainous region. the groundwater recharge process, hazards related to climate change, glaciology etc. are very nicely described. Thank you"
"This course was very helpful to gain insight over the impacts of climate change on mountain water resources and ecosystems. Knowledge of measures to reduce risks of climate change on these regions was also very interesting and well explained."
Students said the course features top professors and highly-qualified professionals.
"A great learning experience from top professors"
"A lot of specific evidence-based knowledge with interesting case-studies. Highly-qualified professionals and scientists."
Some learners said the accents of some lecturers made it difficult to understand the course materials.
"Some videos were difficult to understand due to accent and the text was not transcripted properly"
"I liked the content and structure of the course, the cons for me was the english of some of the lecturers."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Climate Change and Water in Mountains: A Global Concern with these
activities:
Organize Course Notes
Show steps
Organize your course notes and materials to improve your retention and understanding of the subject matter.
Show steps
-
Review course notes and materials
-
Create an organized filing system
Read Beyond the Limits: Global Collapse or a Sustainable Future
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to climate change and sustainability.
View
Limits to Growth: The 30-Year Update
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read Beyond the Limits
-
Research current events related to Sustainability
-
Summarize key points and discuss with others
Explore Water Treatment Technologies
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Learn about different water treatment technologies and how they are applied to improve water quality.
Browse courses on
Water Treatment
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-
Explore Water Treatment Technologies article
-
Learn about various Water Treatment Processes
Four other activities
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Solve Water Resources Problems
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Practice solving water resources problems to improve your understanding of the concepts and calculations involved.
Browse courses on
Water Resources Management
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-
Gather practice problems
-
Solve practice problems
-
Review and learn from solutions
Develop a Water Conservation Plan
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Create a water conservation plan for a household or community to promote efficient water use and reduce water consumption.
Browse courses on
Water Resources Management
Show steps
-
Estimate water usage
-
Identify water-saving opportunities
-
Develop a water conservation plan
Create a Water Management Plan
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Develop a water management plan for a specific region or watershed to apply the concepts and principles learned in the course.
Browse courses on
Water Resources Management
Show steps
-
Identify the study area and project scope
-
Collect and analyze data on water resources
-
Develop water management strategies
-
Create a water management plan report
Contribute to Water-Related Open-Source Projects
Show steps
Contribute to open-source projects related to water resources to gain practical experience and support the development of water-related solutions.
Browse courses on
Water Resources Management
Show steps
-
Find Open-Source water projects
-
Identify contribution opportunities
-
Start contributing
Organize Course Notes
Show steps
Organize your course notes and materials to improve your retention and understanding of the subject matter.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review course notes and materials
- Create an organized filing system
Read Beyond the Limits: Global Collapse or a Sustainable Future
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to climate change and sustainability.
View
Limits to Growth: The 30-Year Update
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read Beyond the Limits
- Research current events related to Sustainability
- Summarize key points and discuss with others
Explore Water Treatment Technologies
Show steps
Learn about different water treatment technologies and how they are applied to improve water quality.
Browse courses on
Water Treatment
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Explore Water Treatment Technologies article
- Learn about various Water Treatment Processes
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Solve Water Resources Problems
Show steps
Practice solving water resources problems to improve your understanding of the concepts and calculations involved.
Browse courses on
Water Resources Management
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather practice problems
- Solve practice problems
- Review and learn from solutions
Develop a Water Conservation Plan
Show steps
Create a water conservation plan for a household or community to promote efficient water use and reduce water consumption.
Browse courses on
Water Resources Management
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Estimate water usage
- Identify water-saving opportunities
- Develop a water conservation plan
Create a Water Management Plan
Show steps
Develop a water management plan for a specific region or watershed to apply the concepts and principles learned in the course.
Browse courses on
Water Resources Management
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify the study area and project scope
- Collect and analyze data on water resources
- Develop water management strategies
- Create a water management plan report
Contribute to Water-Related Open-Source Projects
Show steps
Contribute to open-source projects related to water resources to gain practical experience and support the development of water-related solutions.
Browse courses on
Water Resources Management
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find Open-Source water projects
- Identify contribution opportunities
- Start contributing
Career center
Learners who complete Climate Change and Water in Mountains: A Global Concern will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Hydrologist
Hydrologist
Hydrologists study the distribution, movement, and quality of water on Earth. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to hydrologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on water resources. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on water resources.
Glaciologist
Glaciologist
Glaciologists study glaciers and ice sheets. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to glaciologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on glaciers and ice sheets. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on glaciers and ice sheets.
Water Resources Engineer
Water Resources Engineer
Water resources engineers design and manage systems that control and distribute water resources. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to water resources engineers because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on water resources. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on water resources.
Climate Scientist
Climate Scientist
Climate scientists study the Earth's climate system. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to climate scientists because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on the Earth's climate system. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on the Earth's climate system.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Environmental scientists study the environment and its components. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to environmental scientists because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment.
Geographer
Geographer
Geographers study the Earth's surface and its features. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to geographers because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on the Earth's surface and its features. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on the Earth's surface and its features.
Meteorologist
Meteorologist
Meteorologists study the Earth's atmosphere and its weather patterns. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to meteorologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on the Earth's atmosphere and its weather patterns. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on the Earth's atmosphere and its weather patterns.
Oceanographer
Oceanographer
Oceanographers study the Earth's oceans and their features. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to oceanographers because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on the Earth's oceans and their features. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on the Earth's oceans and their features.
Soil Scientist
Soil Scientist
Soil scientists study the Earth's soils and their properties. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to soil scientists because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on the Earth's soils and their properties. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on the Earth's soils and their properties.
Forester
Forester
Foresters manage and protect forests. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to foresters because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on forests. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on forests.
Wildlife Biologist
Wildlife Biologist
Wildlife biologists study wildlife and their habitats. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to wildlife biologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on wildlife and their habitats. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on wildlife and their habitats.
Environmental Planner
Environmental Planner
Environmental planners develop and implement plans to protect the environment. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to environmental planners because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment.
Conservationist
Conservationist
Conservationists work to protect natural resources and ecosystems. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to conservationists because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on natural resources and ecosystems. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on natural resources and ecosystems.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability consultants help businesses and organizations to become more sustainable. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to sustainability consultants because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on sustainability. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on sustainability.
Climate Policy Analyst
Climate Policy Analyst
Climate policy analysts develop and evaluate policies to address climate change. They may work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and the private sector. This course would be beneficial to climate policy analysts because it provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on policy. The course also covers risk management strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on policy.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ljem5v/climate
Reading list
We've selected seven books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Climate Change and Water in Mountains: A Global Concern.
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Provides a comprehensive overview of the impacts of climate change on biodiversity.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the impacts of climate change on the world's biomes.
Examines the impacts of climate change on water resources management in mountain regions, with a focus on adaptation and mitigation strategies. Covers topics such as integrated water resources management, vulnerability assessment, and risk management.
Provides a comprehensive overview of climate change and its impacts on water resources, including both scientific and policy perspectives. Covers topics such as climate modeling, hydroclimatic variability, and water resources management.
Save
Offers a concise and accessible introduction to the science of climate change, including the physical basis, impacts, and mitigation and adaptation strategies. Provides a solid foundation for understanding the key concepts and processes involved in climate change.
Provides a comprehensive and authoritative assessment of the latest scientific evidence on climate change, its impacts, and the potential risks and opportunities. Offers a valuable reference for understanding the current state of knowledge and the implications for policy and decision-making.
Examines the impacts of climate change on water resources in the Middle East and North Africa, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities for water management. Covers topics such as water scarcity, salinization, and the implications for economic development and political stability.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ljem5v/climate
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Effort
5 weeks of study, 2-3 hours per week
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Geneva
Instructors
Martin Beniston
Markus Stoffel
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
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中文
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Good to know
Examines climate change in mountain regions, a topic highly relevant to the impacts of climate change globally
Develops foundational knowledge of climate change and its impacts on water resources in mountain regions, a topic highly relevant to both academics and practitioners in the field of climate change science
Covers a wide range of topics including climate change impacts on hydropower, agriculture, aquatic ecosystems, and health, reflecting the multifaceted impacts of climate change in mountain regions
Offers an interdisciplinary perspective with instructors from various backgrounds and institutions, providing diverse insights on climate change and water resources management in mountain regions
Emphasizes risk management and adaptation strategies to address climate change impacts in mountain regions, a topic of increasing importance in the context of global climate change
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