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Changing Horizons in Geography Education - HERODOT Network ...

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By sign<strong>in</strong>g and ratify<strong>in</strong>g the Kyoto Protocol Bulgaria commits itself to work forthe decrease of the anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions by 8% for the period2008-2012 compared to their level <strong>in</strong> 1988 (United Nations, 1997). As Party to theConvention Bulgaria provides detailed <strong>in</strong>formation about its policy and measuresthrough National communications. Three National communications were developed– <strong>in</strong> 1996, 1998 and 2002 years. Bulgaria conducts annual <strong>in</strong>ventories on greenhousegas (GHG) emissions and publishes National GHG Inventory Reports.Bulgaria has a significant experience <strong>in</strong> apply<strong>in</strong>g the mechanisms of the KyotoProtocol and until now the country has approved 10 projects which aim to decreasethe emission of the order of 10 millions of tons CO 2– equivalent. Bulgaria has signedthe agreements for purchase emissions through the mechanism of “jo<strong>in</strong>t implementation”.The mechanism “emission trad<strong>in</strong>g” gives an opportunity for separation ofearn<strong>in</strong>gs of <strong>in</strong>ternational emission trad<strong>in</strong>g and for <strong>in</strong>duction of green <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong>Bulgaria. Bulgaria has now developed its Second Action plan on Climate Changefor the period 2005−2008. The plan considers the actions for application of policyand measurement for greenhouse gases decreas<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> different sectors as actionsconcern<strong>in</strong>g possibilities for monitor<strong>in</strong>g and register<strong>in</strong>g of the emissions and systematicassessment of trends and forecasts.The Masters degree program “Climate and water resources management”Climate change and water resources problems <strong>in</strong>volve complex <strong>in</strong>teractions betweenclimatic, environmental, economic, political, <strong>in</strong>stitutional, social and technologicalprocesses. This may have significant <strong>in</strong>ternational and <strong>in</strong>tergenerational implications<strong>in</strong> the context of broader societal goals such as equity and susta<strong>in</strong>able development.Climate change and adaptation affect most sectors of the economy. It is necessaryto understand and estimate this impact and to develop and support national positionand policy. One of the ma<strong>in</strong> tasks for modern science and society is the developmentand implementation of measures for improv<strong>in</strong>g the relationship between researchers,policy and decision-makers and public participants. One way that this can be doneis by deal<strong>in</strong>g with these issues at postgraduate level.The Masters degree program “Climate and Water Resources Management” at theFaculty of Geology and <strong>Geography</strong> of the Sofia University aims to tra<strong>in</strong> professionals<strong>in</strong> climatology and hydrology. The aim of the course is that they will be able to work<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>terdiscipl<strong>in</strong>ary and <strong>in</strong>ternational teams. The course program was established <strong>in</strong>2001 and is based on today’s demands. It is characterized by the follow<strong>in</strong>g:• modules that provide basic knowledge, as well as specific topics concern<strong>in</strong>gdifferent aspects of climate and water resources management;• a curriculum which complies with needed skills, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g not only factual knowledge,but also computer skills, methodical skills, presentation skills, teamwork;• a study program that is l<strong>in</strong>ked to practical work by a series of exercises based onsem<strong>in</strong>ars and by contact with experts <strong>in</strong> environmental management;• an <strong>in</strong>terdiscipl<strong>in</strong>ary course, <strong>in</strong> order that students are able to get to know differentpo<strong>in</strong>ts of views and ways of th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> order to ga<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>terdiscipl<strong>in</strong>ary skills.322

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