Class Global Changes

The discipline of Global Change will provide a general background on Climate and Global Change, from the underlying processes that explain changes in the climate that result in global warming, green house effect and carbon cycle disruption, to anthropogenic global effects such as light pollution.

In the theoretical sessions, the topics will focus mostly on the consequences on the biological systems, phenology and evolution, as well as on the international legislation and potential mitigation measures. In the practical sessions, students will apply the acquired concepts to solve practical exercises, search and discuss scientific articles, and develop debate skills related to the key environmental challenges at the global scale. 

• Introduction: Climate and Global Change.
• The climate system and underlying disruption mechanisms.
• The global warming. The Green House effect and consequences.
• Carbon cycle. The effects of anthropogenic changes in the carbon cycle and other cycles.
• Different types of environmental pollution. Light pollution: a global phenomenon.
• Changes in the Ecosystems. Examples.
• Prediction, modelling and scenarios.
• International politics and legislation. Mitigation measures.
• Ecosystems services.

This module include field trip and discussions about current political environmental issues.

• Hannah, L. Climate Change Biology. 2nd Edition. 2014, Elsevier Science & Technology.
• Rosenblum, E. Global Change Biology. 1st Edition. 2021, Oxford University Press.
• Santos F.D., K Forbes, R. Moita. Climate Change in Portugal: Scenarios, Impacts and Adptation Measures. 2002, 20th Century Portuguese Climate and Climate ScenariosPublisher: GradivaEditors.
• Hanson, P., Walker, A. Advancing global change biology through experimental manipulations: Where have we been and where might we go? 2019, Global Change Biology, DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14894.