Studying both the science and the impacts of climate change

Students in UCL Physics and Astronomy are learning about how humans can deal with climate change, not just the science of global warming.

The wider societal aspects of climate change are combined with the underlying science in 'Environmental Physics’, an undergraduate module in UCL Physics & Astronomy.  

“We want our students to understand the structure and dynamics of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans, from global warming and acid rain to ozone depletion,” says Professor Chamkaur Ghag (UCL Physics & Astronomy).

““But we also want to encourage them to discuss how they as individuals and wider society can take action to mitigate climate change.” 

The course examines the effect of future climate change and strategies to mitigate that impact, as well as the physics underpinning renewable energy technologies. 

Students on the course also study summaries of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Emissions Gap reports, as well as the geopolitical outlook for climate action. 

The module was Highly Commended in the Sustainable UCL’s ‘Sustainability Education’ Award in 2019/20.