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Background:

Since Rio Summit climate change emerged as one of the most pressing and complex environmental issues, series of reports from Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggest that the problem may be even worse than previously feared and have served to heighten global concern.  Kyoto protocol and Bonn agreement followed by Marakesh has reaffirmed determination to go ahead with the actions towards mitigation and adaptation. Developed nations (barring US) are ready to implement actions towards reduction of GHG emissions. Developing nations are committed to take necessary preparedness towards cleaner developmental path. 

Scientific community is now realizing that within the sustainability paradigm the focus needs to go beyond “Only Climate Change”. The key word now is Global Change which refers to anthropogenic interference with the earth system which includes atmosphere, geosphere and biosphere. At the international level Global Change Programme has its focus on understanding long term changes (over decades and centuries) based on past experiences. It includes not only climate change and its impact but also impacts of land use and land cover change, industrial transformation, transport system etc. on earth system. Above all, the human dimensions of all the global changes try to explore effect on human welfare, health, water stress, population growth etc which are all important components of global change studies.  

GLOBAL CHANGE PROGRAMME – Jadavpur University

Keeping in view the importance of global change issues for a developing country like India, Jadavpur University launched a research programme in 2001  with the aim to provide scientists, professionals particularly in government, industry and the like with an in depth understanding of the issues surrounding global change and its impact on various sectors. The whole programme is oriented towards policy making and its implementation and focuses on studies on human dimensions and help in capacity building.

Target Group

One of the largest problems affecting many economic sectors is the lack of understanding and information which makes it hard for all the stakeholders in developing nations as well as developed nations to judge how the issues raised by global change will affect their activities. It is expected that such scientific information will help in informed decision making process efficient and equitable.  Issues associated with a global change will have an increasingly growing impact on many economic and business sectors. Organizations will need to have a grasp of the key issues and how these might affect their businesses. This programme will be of significant interest to all those in organizations with a responsibility for understanding issues in global change and its impact. The programme would provide opportunity to participants to obtain an in-depth understanding of the various aspects of global change directly from the research outputs of the experts in their areas. The primary aim is to help in capacity building. The various components proposed under the newly lunched programme would make it clear who might be the participants. 

Components

1. Targeted research on Impact and Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Strategies of Global Change.

2. Short Training Programme targeted at researchers, policy makers and NGOs.

3. Teaching/Degree Programme: Appropriate module development for face to face /online delivery of the course. It will be open to students with background from physical science, social science and engineering. Separate modules would cater to the need of specific group of students and potential researchers.

4. Outreach Activities: implementation of the adaptation strategies either directly or in collaboration with government and NGOs of local communities.

5. Information Dissemination through advanced communication and information technology.

6. Awareness Programme especially through distance education, visual representation etc.

Uniqueness of the Programme

The whole programme is oriented towards policy making and implementation. In India for the first time such a comprehensive effort in the area of global change related issues has been taken up at the university level. Many research institutions so far for the past few years have concentrated on climate change issues only. But the most needed comprehensive effort which will strengthen understanding through research, teaching, outreach activities, policy formulation, and general awareness is something of a new dimension. The basic background material comes from intensive and extensive research but targeted at direct implementation for international negotiation and national policy formulation and implementation. The stronger point of this programme is the focus on studies on human dimensions and economic assessment of impact on the society at large. 

University’s Strength

• Jadavpur University has already proved its strength in multidisciplinary research and is actively participating in the research activities to support policy formulation of Ministries and multilateral funding agencies

• The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has identified the university as one of the first five universities in the country credited with “Potential with Excellence.”

• The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has accorded the highest grading and accredited the University with five star status for five years.

• JU is the first SYLFF institute in India and is in the global network of 45 countries.