Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.4
Qualifications
available on graduation from the ELTP
Course
Requirements
Qualification
Basic Environmen-
tal Leader Training
Course
Development of comprehen-
sive ability including interna-
tional perspective, practical
ability, management ability and
strategic planning skills
Environmental Leader Training
Certificate
Professional Master/Leader for
Sustainable Environment
(for students who excel)
Masters Researcher
Environmental Leader
Training Course
Two-year professional educa-
tion and advanced practical
education program
Environmental Leader Master
Certificate (ELMC)
Professional Master for Sustainable
Environment (PMSE)
(for students who excel)
Doctorate Researcher
Environmental Leader
Training Course
Advanced and professional
research and internship
Environmental Leader Doctor
Certificate (ELDC)
Professional Director for Sustain-
able Environment (PDSE).
(for students who excel)
1.4
Content of this Topic
A key contribution to the Energy and Resources and Solution Creation components
of the ELTP are special lectures on a range of subjects provided by experts in the
many environment and resource-related fields at Tohoku University. These cover
a range of topics in renewable energy, energy storage, resource conservation and
recycling, new waste treatment or energy-related technologies, as well as environ-
mental management issues. The special classes provided during the 2013/2014 aca-
demic year are the basis for the subsequent chapters.
In Chap. 2, Professor Tanaka provides some background on the ELTP program
itself and to the series of lectures which comprise the specific course on energy and
resources. He looks at some of the historical pollution problems in Japan from both
a legal and cultural perspective and introduces to the students ethical issues which
underpin concerns over sustainability.
In Chap. 3, Professor Taniguchi looks at the limits to resources and economic
growth inherent within a closed system (even as large as the Earth) and the implica-
tions of studies such as 'Limits to Growth' on the future of society. He introduces
various indicators of environmental impact and the major differences between the
environmental loads of different societies. The dire future which awaits us if we do
not modify current trends makes a vision of a sustainable society even more urgent,
and requires us to re-orientate the aims of the economy away from material growth
to human well-being and happiness. One example of a country which possesses
some of these characteristics (Cuba) is examined.
After the above lectures have provided some important background, we move
to a number of lectures on specific aspects of energy. Chap. 4 looks at the technol-
ogy and potential application of fuel cells in the provision of energy, and Professor
