2026
Introduction to Environmental Geography
Name: Introduction to Environmental Geography
Code: PAO15318L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Geography
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
- Understand the main concepts associated with environmental geography.
- Explore the spatial and temporal relationships between society and the environment.
- Identify and analyze the main environmental consequences and problems at a local, regional and global level.
- Apply different instruments and techniques for analyzing and evaluating environmental problems.
- Stimulate critical thinking about the consequences of human activities and environmental policies.
- Be able to develop planning and management instruments for the territory and associated resources to solve the main environmental challenges.
- Explore the spatial and temporal relationships between society and the environment.
- Identify and analyze the main environmental consequences and problems at a local, regional and global level.
- Apply different instruments and techniques for analyzing and evaluating environmental problems.
- Stimulate critical thinking about the consequences of human activities and environmental policies.
- Be able to develop planning and management instruments for the territory and associated resources to solve the main environmental challenges.
Contents
1. Scope and concepts. Interactions between humans/society and environment/nature.
2. Instruments and methods in environmental geography: field, laboratory, spatial modeling and social and physical-natural methods for environmental geography
3. Changes in land use/occupation. Environmental consequences of the expansion of urban areas and intensive agriculture. Global, regional and local effects of deforestation.
4. Resources and risks. Management and conservation of natural resources. Ecosystem services. Natural and mixed hazards, exposure, vulnerability, resilience and risk.
5. Climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions. Impacts of climate change on societies and biodiversity. Mitigation and adaptation strategies.
6. Sustainability. Sustainable development goals. Energy transition and carbon neutrality. Circular economy. Governmental/intergovernmental environmental policies.
7. Applications of environmental geography
2. Instruments and methods in environmental geography: field, laboratory, spatial modeling and social and physical-natural methods for environmental geography
3. Changes in land use/occupation. Environmental consequences of the expansion of urban areas and intensive agriculture. Global, regional and local effects of deforestation.
4. Resources and risks. Management and conservation of natural resources. Ecosystem services. Natural and mixed hazards, exposure, vulnerability, resilience and risk.
5. Climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions. Impacts of climate change on societies and biodiversity. Mitigation and adaptation strategies.
6. Sustainability. Sustainable development goals. Energy transition and carbon neutrality. Circular economy. Governmental/intergovernmental environmental policies.
7. Applications of environmental geography
Teaching Methods
Contact with students is carried out through lectures with theoretical, practical, field and laboratory components. Classes are based on presentations using text, images, videos and other materials. In laboratory classes and fieldwork, students test several relevant techniques and methods for environmental geographical studies.
Assessment
Assessment methods:
1) Continuous assessment consisting of 1 individual test (50%) and 1 group work (30%), along with an individual report of field work (20%).
2) Alternatively, the assessment can be obtained by taking a final exam (100%).
1) Continuous assessment consisting of 1 individual test (50%) and 1 group work (30%), along with an individual report of field work (20%).
2) Alternatively, the assessment can be obtained by taking a final exam (100%).
Accreditations and Certifications
