Climate Change - an area of future research

Climate Change - an area of future research

Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan

Climate change adaptation programme is emerging as one of the new generation courses having umpteen research potentials. Considering lack of technical personnel in this field of emerging science, an innovative and unique postgraduate programme entitled M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation has been started at Academy of Climate Change Education and Research (ACCER) of Kerala Agricultural University at Vellanikkara campus, Thrissur from 2010-2011 onwards.

Climate change has become a reality and global warming is likely to be increased by 3°C by the end of this century. Sectors like Agriculture, Horticulture, Plantations, Forestry, Fisheries, Biodiversity, Water resources, Animal agriculture and Human health too are in threat in the event of frequent occurrence of floods, droughts, heat and cold waves due to global warming and climate change. Moreover recent climate predictions reveal that India will be one of the threatened regions of the world

Farmers are encountering new challenges in terms of shortage of farm laborers, increase in cost of production, uncertainties in markets and more recently, increased weather / climate risks. Climate change affects both crop production and diseases which in turn affect dynamics and interaction between crop and pests. So it is the need of the hour, to develop capacity building in all the aspects of climate change education, research and management with multi-disciplinary / institutional approach.

The ACCER will serve as the nodal agency dealing with climate change education, research and capacity building in all the aspects of climate risk management, weather insurance and weather related natural disaster management by creating the most competent postgraduates in this field of emerging science. It also provides information to the planners for implementing strategies to mitigate the ill effects of climate change so as to sustain and enhance the rural livelihoods says Dr.GSLHV Prasada Rao, Associate Director of Research and Special Officer, ACCER of Kerala Agricultural University.

According to Dr.Prasada Rao, this is one of the pioneering ventures in the humid tropics and its outcomes will have local as well as global relevance on climate change adaptation strategies through climate change education and research. Current and future climate change, and issues related to climate variability are among the foremost scientific challenges presently being faced by the global community. Questions of climate futures bring with them far-reaching social and economic implications. In all environment-related aspects of agriculture and associated activities, there is a recognition and demand for climate change-related expertise.

This Climate Change Adaptation Degree Programme builds on KAU’s current expertise in climate research and relationships with local, national and international initiatives and organizations, including India Meteorological Department, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Indian Space Research Organization, Cochin University of Science and Technology, various Indian traditional and State Agricultural Universities and University of Western Australia.

The Integrated Climate Change Adaptation Degree Programme, will be the first of its kind in Asia, and will give the students an understanding of the processes and activities that influence climate, ability to analyze and interpret the risks and opportunities associated with climate and climate change and to make recommendations on future adaptation and mitigation strategies.

The programme provides an integrated approach to the analysis of climate change and processes in the context of agriculture and environmental management. The interaction of the atmosphere with the other components of the Earth system, and the economic and policy issues associated with climate change, sustainability, agricultural productivity and food security are central concerns in the response to climate variability and future climate change, and are examined at both the regional and global scales.

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In this programme students will get an opportunity to specialize in one of the main disciplines which include Agriculture, Animal Sciences, Fisheries, Forestry, Biodiversity, Water resources and Health.

Details of the proposed programme

Duration of the course is 5 years (10 semesters). Eligibility requirement is pass in plus two with science stream (Biology/Mathematics) or equivalent with 60 percent marks in aggregate in general category and 50 percent marks for SC/ST candidates. Mode of selection is based on entrance examination conducted by Kerala Agricultural University. Notification will come during the last week of April every year.

For more details contact

E mail-kauagmet@yahoo.co.in

Websites- www.kau.edu www.kauagmet.org

Outcomes

Upon completion of the 5-year Master of Science in Climate Change Adaptation (Integrated) Degree programme students will have:

4 Scientific knowledge of: (i) climate processes, climate variability and controls of climate change; (ii) the significance and relevance of climate processes and change to the wider agricultural and environmental sciences; and (iii) the policy, planning and social science implications of climate change issues at the regional and global scale;

4 The competence to effectively translate basic climate science, climate change and related issues into an environmental-social science problem solving context;

4 A high level of scientific expertise and depth in their chosen area of specialization, and the necessary analytical, field and computational skills relevant to the area of specialization;

4 Through ‘Practical Experience’ the competence to translate academic training into an applied context;

4 The ability to undertake independent research relevant to climate-related issues – showing a high level of critical awareness;

4 Significant scientific understanding of an area of specialization and ability to identify research questions;

4 The necessary communication skills to impart information and advice on issues of climate adaptation and mitigation to agricultural and environmental practitioners.

Career Prospects

Since Governments and Agencies at state, National and International and private companies are providing increasing attention required for climate change issues, there will be better job prospects for graduates within the country and abroad. Climatology is one of the important areas of research in Canada, United Kingdom, United States and in Asian Countries.