260161 VO Introduction to Environmental Science (2016S)

The lecture is an introduction for students of physics, which want to specialise on the topic "Environmental Physics". It also aims on students of of other natural sciences, which want to gain an insight into environmental problems. Interdisciplinary approaches to problem awareness and problem solutions will be discussed.
Contents: exponential growth and its limitation, carrying capacity of the environment, cycles of chemicals, disturbance by humans, disturbance of ecosystems.
Climate: Air and water pollution, toxic substances, emissions, deposition, transport and ambient concentrations of pollutants. Odor and noise: Electric and magnetic fields and their effects on humans, Energy transformation, alternative energy, sustainability. Lecture with many graphics and handouts (followed by a seminar with field trips the next semester)