Carbon Cycle and Low-Carbon Food Chain (2 cr)

Evaluation scale

1-5

Objective

: After the course, the student can… • Recognise the factors which are affecting to carbon cycle (e.g. photosynthesis and atmospheric carbon) • Recognise the limits of carbon cycle and carbon sinks especially in food chain • Understand the basics of calculating carbon footprint • Understand the impacts of climate change in food chain and can list actions which help food chain to adapt for global warming • Understand international climate agreements and goals and also identify the impacts of European union agriculture politics in developing food chain

Content

Introduction, course objectives and practices, climate change, assignments Photosynthesis and atmospheric carbon (the role of biomasses, carbon cycle, emission sources) Emissions from food chain, carbon footprint, carbon fixation and sinks (agriculture as a global emission source) Supporting low-carbon production on farms (the role of peatlands, renewable energy, new production methods, cropping systems) Future research questions and carbon capture and storage (carbon compensations, carbon trade, agriculture regulations, international agreements)

Materials

Oppimateriaalit osoitetaan opintojakson alussa, opiskelijoiden tuotokset

Teaching methods

distance learning

Student workload

54 hours for student