Module Code - Title:
GY5022
-
CLIMATE HAZARDS
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
As our climate deteriorates, extreme climatic events such as floods, storms, wildfires, landslides, and heatwaves will become more common, with more and more people, places, and infrastructure vulnerable. Planning for the future must account for potential vulnerability to more frequent climate hazards. This module, part of the Professional Diploma in Climate Adaption and Sustainability, will explore the physical causes and consequences of climate hazards, examine the risk factors which leave people, places, and infrastructure vulnerable, and train students to assess these risks with a view to adaption and mitigation.
Syllabus:
This module will examine the nature, extent, frequency, risk, and potential for adaption and mitigation against a range of climate hazards, including flooding, wildfires, landslides, and heatwaves. Drawing heavily on case studies, including media coverage and the academic literature, students will explore these hazards from both physical and social geographic perspectives. They will consider the causes and geographic distribution of these natural events, as well as examining how risk, vulnerability, and consequences vary in different geographic areas due to geology, geomorphology, hydrology, demographics, socioeconomic factors, and more. They will develop the skills necessary to assess the hazardousness of particular geographic areas, to cartographically illustrate risk by creating hazard maps, and to use geospatial data on climate hazards to inform decision-making and strategies for adaption and mitigation.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Explain the causes, processes, consequences, risk, and mitigation of select climate hazards
2. Recognise risk factors which leave people, places, and infrastructure vulnerable to climate hazard events
3. Compile relevant information on climate hazards from a range of sources
4. Assess hazards and risks from climate hazards in particular geographic locations, and cartographically illustrate this through creation of hazard maps
5. Evaluate plans on the basis of hazard and risk assessment
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
6. Recognise both the local and global impact of decisions and actions with respect to climate hazards
7. Embrace the active use of data and research to drive improvements and positive change
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, case studies, tutorials, digital geography exercises, and self directed learning. Students will develop the skills to analyse readings, improve their capacity for critical assessment, and communicate their own work in written and digital form.
Case studies for the module will include recently published research on a wide range of locations, encouraging students to adopt a global perspective. Digital geography exercises will include active use of data from current research, and recent real-world events, challenging students to apply their discipline knowledge to real world events or circumstances, including appreciation of social and corporate responsibility, and the local and global impacts of decisions and actions.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Keller, E.A. and DeVecchio, D. (2019)
Natural Hazards: Earth's Processes as Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes
, Routledge
Tomaszewski, B. (2021)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Disaster Management
, Routledge
Kelman, I., Mercer, J., and Gaillard, J.C. (2017)
The Routledge Handbook of Disaster Risk Reduction Including Climate Change Adaptation
, Routledge
Other Relevant Texts:
Abbott, P.L. (2020)
Natural Disasters
, McGraw-Hill
Penna, A.N.; Rivers, J.S. (2013)
Natural disasters in a global environment
, Wiley
Gaillard, J.C.; Kelman, I.; Wisner, B. (2012)
The Routledge handbook of hazards and disaster risk reduction
, Routledge
Blaikie, P., Cannon, T., Davis, I., and Wisner, B. (2003)
At Risk: Natural Hazards, People's Vulnerability and Disasters
, Routledge
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Spring
Module Leader:
breandan.macgabhann@ul.ie