Title: The essential role of expertise on natural resources in climate change Master's education

Authors: Patrick Willems; Carolien Kroeze; Ansje Löhr

Addresses: Hydraulics Division, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 40, Leuven, BE-3001, Belgium. ' Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Wageningen University P.O. Box 47, Wageningen, 6700 AA, The Netherlands; Research School for the Socio-Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment (SENSE), School of Science, Open University of The Netherlands, Valkenburgerweg 177, Heerlen, 6419 AT, The Netherlands. ' Research School for the Socio-Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment (SENSE), School of Science, Open University of The Netherlands, Valkenburgerweg 177, Heerlen, 6419 AT, The Netherlands

Abstract: Future climate change may critically affect natural resources that are essential for basic human needs. Water resources are undoubtedly among the most important resources in this respect. Moreover, water plays an important role in the climate system. These examples illustrate why it is important to pay considerable attention to natural resources in climate change education. The expertise associated with natural resource sectors is inherently multidisciplinary, focusing on real-world problems. Water expertise for example incorporates social, economic, environmental, health, political, institutional, technological and other aspects. In this article, the authors explore the potential contribution of expertise on water issues to climate change education at the Masters level, and the competences with which it is associated. This exploration is framed within a larger European Union Erasmus project 'The lived experience of climate change: interdisciplinary e-module development and virtual mobility'.

Keywords: climate change education; natural resource sectors; water sector; multidisciplinary curriculum; water resources; water expertise; Masters courses.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2012.046051

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2012 Vol.6 No.1, pp.31 - 42

Published online: 30 Oct 2014 *

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