Earth in crisis: environmental policy in an international context - for iPod/iPhone: Recent Episodes
The Open University
This innovative album introduces one of the biggest, and most complex, of today’s environmental problems – climate change. It features the hard-hitting, "Who Will Pay", selected as a finalist in an international film competition on "Vulnerability Exposed: The Social Dimensions of Climate Change" organised by the World Bank. This 'Earth in Crisis' album offer a sophisticated understanding of the processes and players that shape contemporary international environmental problems, evaluates what can and should be done in the future, and explores how responses to these dilemmas are intertwined with issues of development, international justice and responsibility. The eleven video tracks focus on climate change induced flooding in the delta regions of Bangladesh and in the Thames region of the UK. In the first five audio tracks, members of The Open University course team explore the main issues raised in the videos. The final three audio tracks explore some of the wider political and scientific dimensions of climate change. This material forms part of The Open University course DU311, Earth in crisis: environmental policy in an international context.
Extreme weather events are getting worse. Forecasters predict that Bangladesh will be severely affected by floods, cyclones, droughts and the rising sea level.
Transcript -- Extreme weather events are getting worse. Forecasters predict that Bangladesh will be severely affected by floods, cyclones, droughts and the rising sea level.
Villagers in the vulnerable regions of south Bangladesh reflect on the changes in their environment and describe their struggle to survive.
Transcript -- Villagers in the vulnerable regions of south Bangladesh reflect on the changes in their environment and describe their struggle to survive.
Redesigning traditional homes. Local tradesmen in Bangladesh are trained to build storm-resistant structures.
Transcript -- Redesigning traditional homes. Local tradesmen in Bangladesh are trained to build storm-resistant structures.
Investigating how much the villagers of Paik Gacha really know about climate change as a global phenomenon.
Transcript -- Investigating how much the villagers of Paik Gacha really know about climate change as a global phenomenon.
Should industrialist countries pay for the devastation and suffering occurring in Bangladesh, where millions of people stand to lose their birthplace and livelihood?
Transcript -- Should industrialist countries pay for the devastation and suffering occurring in Bangladesh, where millions of people stand to lose their birthplace and livelihood?
The results of a two year project to calculate what climate change is doing to the Thames Estuary.
Transcript -- The results of a two year project to calculate what climate change is doing to the Thames Estuary.
The history of flooding in the region and the threat of future surges that overwhelm our current defences.
Transcript -- The history of flooding in the region and the threat of future surges that overwhelm our current defences.
The Environment Agency's attitude towards shoreline management and the devastating consequences for locals.
Transcript -- The Environment Agency's attitude towards shoreline management and the devastating consequences for locals.
Changing policy on the Isle of Sheppey. When is it cost-effective to defend and when is it more effective to retreat?
Transcript -- Changing policy on the Isle of Sheppey. When is it cost-effective to defend and when is it more effective to retreat?
Building sustainable defence lines further inland. Accepting that extreme flooding is here to stay.
Transcript -- Building sustainable defence lines further inland. Accepting that extreme flooding is here to stay.
Members of the DU311 course team explore the main issues emerging from the Bangladesh video case study.
Transcript -- Members of the DU311 course team explore the main issues emerging from the Bangladesh video case study.
The discussion moves on to consider inequities in the causes and consequences of climate change between developing and developed countries.
Transcript -- The discussion moves on to consider inequities in the causes and consequences of climate change between developing and developed countries.
Transcript -- Differing capabilities and priorities for flood defences in Bangladesh and the UK.
How The Open University course promotes awareness and understanding of issues relating to climate change.
Transcript -- How The Open University course promotes awareness and understanding of issues relating to climate change.
A discussion with scientists about the nature of scientific knowledge, and it's relationship to policy making regarding climate change
Transcript -- A discussion with scientists about the nature of scientific knowledge, and it's relationship to policy making regarding climate change
The process of using scientific data to inform government policies with regards to safe-guarding the planet.
Transcript -- The process of using scientific data to inform government policies with regards to safe-guarding the planet.
A look at sustainable development, and it's implications faced by society and the environment, both now and in the future.
Transcript -- A look at sustainable development, and it's implications faced by society and the environment, both now and in the future.