We have tremendous environmental problems ahead of us. Pollution, biodiversity loss, global warming, ozone layer depletion and issues of public health, economic productivity and national security, all urgent issue we cannot afford to be ignorant of any longer. We need to study these issues to think of what must be done. In this course, we will look at the gap between socio-environmental issues and the scientific knowledge required to address them. We will think about our responsibilities as Indian citizens to change what we can about the environment.

We will study what makes our environment: the Sun and how it affects the climate, atmospheric gases, CO2 and industrial activity, sea level rise, and the importance of water. We will look at ecosystems, energy flow, food chains and the food web, and the use of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. It is important also for us to consider the impact of humans on natural resources and pollution, to finally think about what policies exist about the environment in India. This class includes lectures, guest lectures, class activities, and field visits.