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Carol Elston,
Jon Lovett,
Leanda Johnson,
Rob Pheasant,
Kate Nicolson,
Sarah Copeland,
Ellie Dunn,
Leanda Hamilton,
and
Sophia XU
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more The course is suitable for anyone with a general interest in conflict and environmental decision-making; no previous knowledge or experience is required. If you are working in environmental management, or wish to learn more about it, this course is designed to support you as a professional. By completing all aspects of the course you will have achieved 14 hours of CPD time. You can use the hashtag #FLenvconflict to talk about this course on social media.
Read more
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more The course is suitable for anyone with a general interest in conflict and environmental decision-making; no previous knowledge or experience is required. If you are working in environmental management, or wish to learn more about it, this course is designed to support you as a professional. By completing all aspects of the course you will have achieved 14 hours of CPD time. You can use the hashtag #FLenvconflict to talk about this course on social media.
Read more
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more The course is suitable for anyone with a general interest in conflict and environmental decision-making; no previous knowledge or experience is required. If you are working in environmental management, or wish to learn more about it, this course is designed to support you as a professional. By completing all aspects of the course you will have achieved 14 hours of CPD time. You can use the hashtag #FLenvconflict to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
- Be introduced to the pioneering environmental economist Ken Boulding.
- Understand the difference between a ‘cowboy’ economy based on throughput, and a circular ‘spaceman’ economy.
- Appreciate the role of technology in changing production methods and enabling increased exploitation of natural resources.
- Understand how demand for natural resources, in particular oil for energy, has led to conflict.
- Be aware of the contrasting concepts of ‘water wars’ and ‘water peace’ over access to and management of water resources.
- Understand how appropriately negotiated property rights and institutional arrangements are important for water peace.
- Understand how conflict can lead to increased environmental vulnerability of civilian populations and mass mortality though famine and disease.
- Be introduced to Amartya Sen and the concept of development as freedom.
- Be introduced to contrasting theories on international regimes.
- Understand the impact of conflict on environmental management in north Lebanon.
- Appreciate the role of trust relationships and the effect of ‘wasta’ on post-conflict environmental management.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/mbyz81/environmental
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Reviews summary
Environmental scarcity & conflict overview
According to students, this course offers a highly relevant and eye-opening introduction to environmental challenges. Learners frequently praise its clear explanations and accessible presentation of complex topics like water scarcity and conflict. The inclusion of engaging case studies, such as the situation in Lebanon, effectively brings theories to life and provides a strong foundational understanding for a diverse audience. While many find the self-paced format convenient for busy schedules, some more experienced learners noted the course lacks advanced depth and covers material that can feel somewhat dated for specialists already familiar with the field. Overall, it is widely regarded as a valuable resource for both general interest and environmental professionals seeking a concise overview.
Self-paced format supports busy schedules.
"I found the self-paced nature helpful."
"The course length was just right for busy professionals."
Provides a strong basis for general learners.
"A solid introduction to environmental challenges... Good for professionals looking to broaden their understanding."
"Very informative. It provided a strong foundation for understanding environmental conflicts."
"Well-structured and easy to follow. The introduction to Ken Boulding was a great starting point."
Real-world examples enhance understanding.
"I especially enjoyed the case studies, which brought the theories to life."
"The real-world examples, especially the Lebanon case study, were very impactful."
"I appreciated the balance between economic theory and real-world examples."
Insights on environmental challenges and conflict.
"This course was truly eye-opening! The content on water scarcity and conflict was incredibly relevant and well-presented."
"Excellent course! The material is highly relevant and presented in an accessible manner."
"Absolutely brilliant! The concepts are challenging but explained so well. I learned so much about the interconnectedness of environmental issues and conflict."
Specific topics may feel less current.
"The course has good intentions, but some of the material felt a bit dated, especially the focus on oil."
"While important, perhaps more current energy conflicts could be discussed."
Not deep enough for experienced individuals.
"Found this course quite superficial... it doesn't go into enough depth for me."
"Perhaps it's better for absolute beginners, but not for someone with prior knowledge in environmental studies."
"Useful as a general overview, but not deep enough for specialists."
Activities
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Environmental Challenges: Scarcity and Conflict in the Natural Environment.
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Career center
Learners who complete Environmental Challenges: Scarcity and Conflict in the Natural Environment will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/mbyz81/environmental
Reading list
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This concise book offers a brief and accessible overview of the core concepts in environmental economics. It's an excellent starting point for anyone looking for a quick introduction to the subject before committing to more in-depth texts. Ideal for high school students or those with limited time.
Considered a classic in the field, this book provides a foundational theoretical analysis of environmental policy, particularly focusing on externalities. While older, its rigorous treatment of core concepts remains highly relevant for graduate students and researchers. It's more valuable for its theoretical depth than as a source of recent data or contemporary issues.
This textbook offers a rigorous and detailed treatment of environmental economics, focusing specifically on pollution problems. It assumes an understanding of intermediate microeconomics and is well-suited for advanced undergraduate and graduate students looking to deepen their theoretical understanding. It delves into market failures and government regulation with significant detail.
Provides a comprehensive overview of environmental economics and sustainable development, with a focus on the challenges facing developing countries. It is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as economists and policymakers in the field.
This widely used textbook offering a comprehensive overview of both environmental and natural resource economics. It provides a strong foundation in economic theory as applied to environmental issues and includes numerous case studies, making it suitable for gaining a broad understanding. The latest editions incorporate updated data and a more international perspective, making it a valuable current reference for undergraduate and graduate students.
This comprehensive textbook provides a thorough overview of environmental economics, covering both theoretical foundations and practical applications. It is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as policymakers and practitioners in the field.
Provides a comprehensive assessment of the economics of climate change, covering both adaptation and mitigation strategies. It is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as economists and policymakers in the field.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of environmental economics in Spanish. It is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as economists and policymakers in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the economics of natural resources, covering topics such as property rights, market failures, and the role of government in managing natural resources. It is an essential read for anyone interested in the sustainable management of natural resources.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the economic principles that underlie the management of environmental and natural resources, including topics such as the economics of pollution, climate change, and the sustainable economy. It valuable resource for students and professionals in the field.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the economic principles that underlie the management of natural resources, including topics such as the economics of property rights, market failures, and the role of government in managing natural resources. It valuable resource for students and professionals in the field.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the economic principles that underlie the management of natural resources and the environment, including topics such as the economics of pollution, climate change, and the sustainable economy. It valuable resource for students and professionals in the field.
Providing a less technical introduction than some other textbooks, this book is excellent for those new to the field or seeking a broad understanding without a deep economics background. It covers core concepts clearly and includes policy applications, making it accessible for high school and early undergraduate students. It serves as valuable foundational reading before tackling more advanced texts.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the economic principles that underlie the management of natural resources, including topics such as the economics of property rights, market failures, and the role of government in managing natural resources. It valuable resource for students and professionals in the field.
This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of natural resource economics, including topics such as the economics of renewable and non-renewable resources, environmental externalities, and the role of government in managing natural resources. It valuable resource for students and professionals in the field.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the economic principles that underlie the management of environmental and natural resources, including topics such as the economics of pollution, climate change, and the sustainable economy. It valuable resource for students and professionals in the field.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of environmental and natural resource economics, with a focus on policy analysis. It is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as policymakers and practitioners in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the economic principles that underlie the management of natural resources and the environment, including topics such as the economics of pollution, climate change, and the sustainable economy. It valuable resource for students and professionals in the field.
Key resource for understanding the methods used to value environmental goods and services that are not traded in markets. It covers both revealed and stated preference methods in detail. This is essential reading for those focusing on the empirical side of environmental economics and policy analysis.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/mbyz81/environmental
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Time
10 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institution
University of Leeds
Instructors
Carol Elston
Jon Lovett
Leanda Johnson
Rob Pheasant
Kate Nicolson
Sarah Copeland
Ellie Dunn
Leanda Hamilton
Sophia XU
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