Class Information

Background
Although air pollution has been known to people even before the birth of Christ, its continuously growing importance has been part and parcel of the advent of the industrial revolution. Today human influence is known to adversely affect the beneficial ozone layer in the upper atmosphere (the ozone hole) and in addition, cause possible global warming. Besides these concerns, air pollution can cause direct negative effects on our health and on our welfare (e.g., crops and forests). Air pollution also raises challenging public issues with implications for public understanding of both risks and possible solutions, public decision making and public ethics.

International Perspective

As developed nations move towards curbing air pollution, developing nations will have difficulty meeting this goal, because of their rapidly increasing population (e.g., India), poverty, illiteracy and starvation. Thus, as we move towards the 21st Century we need to become more fully aware of the complexities of air pollution, global climate change, and their impacts on human health and welfare in order to stimulate greater societal response locally, nationally and at the international level.
Instructors
Lecture Hours and Location
Class Attendance
Student Hours
Course Pre-requisites

Perspectives

Background
International Perspective
Public Ethical Perspective

Course Information

Course Objectives/Audience
Course Topics
Course Reading Material


The Ethics: Additional Materials

Exams

Examination Procedures
Interactive Communication
Supplemental Notes
Answers to Quizzes 		The course will focus on discussions of: (A) comparisons of contemporary air quality issues in developed versus developing nations using specific examples (Los Angeles versus Mexico City; Sudbury, Canada versus southern Poland); (B) comparative control technologies for improving air quality (stationary sources versus mobile sources); and (C) available opportunities and mechanisms for technology transfer (education, research cooperation, on-site problem remediation, etc.) including the involvement of international institutions such as United Nations Environmental Program, The World Bank and United Nations/Food and Agricultural Organization.

Public Ethical Perspective

As the public addresses issues related to air pollution, there are often sharp differences between individuals and groups regarding the best intervention strategies. Our differences in perception of risk as well as differing values and beliefs around health, the common good and individualism, science, technology, role of public institutions, and citizens in public issues, and our relationship with nature are closely entwined in environmental public discussions. Technical solutions to problems of air pollution require defining the problem, establishing goals, selecting methods of implementation, and determining success. At each of these steps there are critical judgments of public ethics requiring resolution.

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Last modified on: November 30, 2005