Singapore University of Social Sciences

CSD519 equips students with a comparative understanding of different modes of resource use, including systems of resource valuation and allocation. The course demonstrates how broad policies and global issues are linked to local activities as causative factors and to local initiatives as remedies. Students will learn about ongoing debates about environmental sustainability. Interactions between resource scarcity and population size will be discussed, including the environmental implications of world population growth to 7 billion. Specific scarce resources will be examined in greater detail, especially land, water and energy, including environmental consequences, such as forest fires, fires, floods, droughts, pollution, etc. Climate change issues will be discussed, including consequences for small islands such as Singapore. Environmental management strategies will be taught, with a particular focus on urban environmental management for liveable cities and local efforts at organisation and containment (in both rural and urban areas). The environmental issues will be analysed in relation to social and economic inequalities, both global and national. The course will end with a consideration of possibilities for the future, including recommendations for policy changes and social actions.