Environmental Growth and Sustainability: Course Overview

This lecture provides an overview of the Environmental Growth and Sustainability II course at EPFL. The instructor discusses the course structure, including group work on environmental topics using the IPAT equation. Students will form groups of four and select two environmental impacts to study, with guidance from supervisors. The grading system is explained, where 80% of the grade is based on a scientific report and 20% on an oral presentation. The instructor emphasizes the importance of active participation and collaboration within groups, as well as the evaluation criteria, which include originality, critical thinking, and clarity. The lecture also highlights the diversity of student backgrounds and the need for effective group dynamics. Additionally, the instructor addresses the workload expectations and the importance of proper referencing in academic work. Examples of potential research topics are provided, along with a discussion on the use of the IPAT framework to analyze environmental impacts across different countries and time periods.