Climate change, glaciers and environmental conflict in the Himalaya region

In this seminar, we focus on the Himalaya region and assess various consequences of climate change on glaciers and water cycles. We study recent environmental changes and potential problems climate change would induce in that area. This is an interdisciplinary seminar, with contributions from glaciology, geology and geography. The seminar starts by introducing the dynamics of glaciers and water flows and their response to climate change generally. Subsequently, we investigate specific areas, e.g. the Siachen Glacier, and compare them with a broad assessment of the state and impacts of the cryosphere in this region. After analyzing the environmental changes, we will focus on the consequences and risks to the societies in the wider Himalaya region. Here some of the world's major rivers originate, and their combined drainage basin is home to almost half of the world's population. Major changes in climate, water, biodiversity and agriculture (e.g. in the Monsoon, river flooding in South Asia or droughts in Central Asia) can have severe implications for environmental security and conflict. Approaches for crisis management and conflict resolution will be discussed.

The seminar will provide an understanding of key factors and mechanisms of climate change, glaciers and environmental conflict in the Himalaya region. The seminar will provide an understanding of glacier dynamics and responses to climate change; risks and impacts from changing glaciers on water cycles, including the river systems for South and Central Asia; human-environment interaction in the Himalaya region, with a focus on the role of glaciers in environmental conflict. Students will discuss the relevance of natural cycles on agriculture, social systems and conflict potentials, Tasks will be to prepare a scientific presentation and a written summary.

Bachelor degree in any field relevant to the subject of this class.

20% class contribution
40% presentation
40% term paper

Term Paper

Deadline: 
August  01, 2011

Format:
10 pages text
(Arial, 11pt, left, right, top, bottom 2cm, line spacing single, block),
with an additional title page, bibliography and figures

Structure of the text:
Abstract, Introduction, Hypotheses, Methods, Results, Discussion, Own assessment/hypothesis, Conclusions

Presentation

30-45 min oral presentation

2-page handout

prepare three questions and/or hypotheses to the audience, which lead into the discussion

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Dhungel, D.N. & Pun, S.B. (2009): The Nepal-India Water Relationship: Challenges, Springer.

Gulia, K.S. (2007): Ecology & Environment in the Himalayas, Isha Books.

Hofer, T. & Messerli, B. (2007): Floods in Bangladesh - History, Dynamics and Rethinking the Role of the Himalayas, UN University Press.

Ives, J.D. & Messerli, B. (1989): The Himalayan Dilemma - Reconciling Development and Conservation, UN University, Routledge, 1989, unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80a02e/80A02E00.htm

Knight, P.G. (2006): Glacier Science & Environmental Change.

Rawat, T. (2008): Environment of the Himalayas.

Rotmans, A. & Tashi, N. (2003): Ecoregional Approaches to Mountain Agriculture: Tools for Planning and Development.

Sharma, M.B., Kaul, V., Sarkar, V. & Joardar, B. (eds.) (2009): Bio-Cultural Profile of Central & Western Himalayas, Serials Publishers.