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This course is based on the World Bank’s GREENTECH: Mainstreaming Technologies in Green, Blue and Clean Operations. This learning framework will build on work being done to e-package Korean innovation in a new way to showcase sustainable development (with text, videos, links, interactive graphics like maps and charts, an interactive knowledge explorer, and “field visit” videos) that can be used by users to learn at their own pace.
Effectively addressing environmental challenges relating to pollution and sustainable natural resource management under a changing climate are central to sustainable development. Globally, air pollution is estimated to result in 7 million deaths annually. About 80 percent of the wastewater generated globally flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused. Over half the tropical rainforests have been destroyed since the 1960s. Globally, about 24 billion tons of fertile topsoil is lost every year after it takes about 500 years to form an inch of topsoil! The planet has lost 40% of its species (between 1970 and 2000) and a million plant and animal species are near extinction. About 70 percent of the world’s poor live in rural areas and depend on biodiversity for their survival and well-being. An estimated 8 m tons of plastic waste enters the world’s oceans each year. The impact of extreme natural disasters is equivalent to about a US $520 billion loss in annual consumption and forces about 26 m people into poverty annually. Global emissions of CO2 have doubled since 1990, and with each degree temperature increase, grain yields are expected to decline by 5 percent.
This course will provide both (i) an introduction to the global context for environmental challenges as well as the accelerating world of “disruptive” technologies to address these challenges, and (ii) illustrative case studies (with an associated interactive e-book resource) of examples of using modern technology in environment. These examples will feature examples from around the world and for this course reflect such innovation in Korea.
Week 1: Clean Environment __
This section includes details of the first week which deals with Clean Environment. It will highlight the use of technology to solve pollution related challenges to our air, water, and land to help us aim for a cleaner environment.
Week 2: Green Environment __
This second Green Environment week will highlight the use of technology to address challenges related to biodiversity, forests, and landscapes. We face unprecedented challenges in terms of species loss, deforestation and forest degradation, and degrading landscapes, leading to a range of social, environmental, and economic impacts on communities around the world.
Week 3: Blue Economy __
This third GreenTech week will highlight the use of technology to address challenges related to the new multi-sectoral focus area of the Blue Economy. This include a focus on fisheries/aquaculture, marine pollution (including plastics), coastal zone management, and the larger ocean economy. These areas are certainly facing challenges from socio-economic development and climate risks that need to be managed, and also offer significant opportunities to contribute to sustainable development.
Week 4: Integrated GreenTech __
This final GreenTech week will highlight the use of technology to address challenges related to the new multi-sectoral focus area of the Blue Economy. This include a focus with a focus on areas where more integrated approaches are required – e.g. integrated spatial perspectives, climate change, circular economy, environmental safeguards, and other such issues requiring a combination of green, blue, clean, and other aspects of environmental management.
