Eco-Science in Practice: the Political-Economic and Technological Challenges in the Sustainability

The objective of this course, characterized by the combination of interdisciplinarity and social inclusiveness towards people incarcerated at Bollate, is to provide the student the main tools to understand the complex topic, as well as current challenge, of the ecological transition that is expressed in realization of all the three forms of sustainability: economic, social and environmental. At the end of the course, the student will acquire knowledge that includes the fundamentals of environmental issues from an economic point of view, as well as the principles of chemical technologies used to improve the sustainability of production processes. In this sense, the course will provide the basic knowledge of the different disciplines mutually involved, necessary to understand the concept of circular economy. The course provides the basic elements for understanding environmental issues and the main economic and political tools that can be used to reduce pollution and improve sustainability. The course also promotes understanding of the problem of environmental pollution, discussing some of the most common sources of contaminants, their effects on the environment and the technologies available for their removal from different environmental compartments (water, air, soil). Finally, through the analysis of real case studies, the student's problem solving skills will be stimulated, promoting at the same time the understanding of the importance of having efficient supply chains for the reuse and/or recycling of materials, as well as production processes based on low emissions of pollutants.

At the end of the course, the student will have acquired knowledge and awareness of the following aspects:
- knowledge of environmental issues from an economic point of view;
- use of political instruments aimed at reducing the emission of the main air pollutants;
- identification of pollutants and methods for their removal (remediation);
- valorisation of waste or end-of-life products (circular economy);
- adoption of strategies for the development of processes with reduced/low environmental impact;
- use of technologies for the production of energy from sources alternative to oil or derivatives.