Course Overview
Understanding how climate change impacts ecosystems as well as techniques that increase the ability of ecosystems to withstand these impacts are essential to a successful career in natural resource management. This course begins by developing an understanding of the key processes that influence local weather versus climate patterns, as well as an understanding of climate feedback processes. The course will clarify the relative contributions of different human activities to recent and ongoing climate change, as well as explore the diverse impacts of this climate change on ecosystems. Relying heavily on case studies, this class will develop the student's ability to understand and critique common techniques used to increase the ability of ecosystems to withstand projected climate-related stressors. The course also explores key government regulations used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) as well as to mitigate the impacts of human-caused climate change on ecosystems. Course content will focus especially on climate topics that are relevant to southwestern British Columbia.
Prerequisite(s)
- Acceptance into the Ecological Restoration degree program or by departmental approval.
Credits
3.0
Domestic fees
$917.73
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Differentiate between weather and climate.
- Assess key atmospheric cycles that impact global weather and climate patterns (e.g., Walker Cycle, El Nino, La Nina, Pacific Decadal Oscillation).
- Discuss key climate feedback loops and how they can increase/decrease the severity of climate change.
- Describe the relative contributions of different human activities to climate change.
- Classify the ecological stressors that are introduced to natural systems as a result of human-caused climate change.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of techniques that increase the ability of ecosystems to withstand projected climate-related stressors. Techniques include watershed restoration, riparian areas management, wetland creation, and agricultural practices that enhance conservation and quality of water and soils.
- Critique provincial and federal governmental regulations used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and to mitigate the impacts of human-caused climate change on ecosystems.
Effective as of Winter 2023
Related Programs
Climate and Climate Change Impact (RENR 7200) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Construction and the Environment
- Ecological Restoration
Bachelor of Science Full-time/Part-time
Course Offerings
Winter 2027
Below is one offering of RENR 7200 for the Winter 2027 term.
CRN 90693
Dates
Jan 06 - Apr 21 Loading
- CRN 90693
- $917.73 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
15 weeks
Instructor
Cassie Friesen
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course offering. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Important information
- This course is reserved for the BSc in Ecological Restoration program. For registration, please contact Anita Lai at anita_lai@bcit.ca or 604-432-8465.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.