ENS221 Introduction to Human Ecology

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2006
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
prof. Ulrich Loening (lecturer), Ing. Zbyněk Ulčák, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
Ing. Zbyněk Ulčák, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Dana Pantůčková
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 19 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Syllabus (in Czech)
  • Human Ecology: the problematique that humanity now faces - Dr Ulrich Loening, Emeritus Director of Centre for Human Ecology. The following are topic areas. A most dramatic period in the life of the planet. Never before have there been so many large animals of a single species, as humans. In this first lecture I review the extraordinary rise of our species and what this could mean for the future. We are also the first and only species that is aware of its situation and is having to consciously control itself. Civilisation runs on Natural Capital. All civilisations have squandered the accumulated wealth of the biosphere and either moved on or died out. We remain hunter-gatherers, but of the means of production instead of the products. The planets ecosystem services continue to provide at least twice the value of the worlds gross national product. Most peoples ethos and daily decisions, like those of governments and bodies for economic globalisation, have both enabled success and ensured continuing ecological degradation. Can we now become stewards and reverse this ultimate contradiction of civilisation? Energy and Order is the Ultimate Currency. All life including human activities exists by the continuous dissipation of energy. Order, structure, culture and knowledge are the products. The stocks and flows of energy in the biosphere maintain equilibrium on Earth. Money measures neither these ultimate resources of nature nor the ultimate aspirations of humankind. Energy is the more down to earth currency; and accounting of resources and renewability must complement economic accounting. The cooling towers of power stations are monuments to the 2nd Law of thermodynamics and monuments to folly.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
Rozsah 1 500 slov +- 10 procent. Text NENÍ jen úvaha na dané téma, nutno doložit příklady, pracovat s literaturou! Termín odevzdání do 19.5. do odevzdávárny v ISu. 1. Why cant you throw anything away? 2. Distinguish ecological economics from environmental, with two examples. 3. Write comments on ONE of the following ecological principles (from G Hardin) a) We can never do merely one thing. b) No effects are truly side effects. c) Negative feedback can be a positive boon. 4. Describe examples to illustrate the contrast between: Natural: Competition and Co-operation in ecosystems and Industrial: Conquest by over-riding natural systems
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
The course is taught: every week.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 0.
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