Humans play a large role in determining the climate on planet Earth, altering the composition of the atmosphere and changing the biological productivity of the land across continental scales. The impacts of these changes are becoming more obvious every year, exacting costs in human lives, livelihoods, health, and economies, and impacting the natural ecosystems that support the Earth’s biodiversity. In this class, students learn how the Earth’s climate works as a system, both naturally and in response to human perturbations. We draw on examples from modern climate change, natural climate variability, and a range of different climates from the Earth’s geologic past to better understand the Earth’s climate system and the physical, biogeochemical, and ecological processes that maintain it. We examine evidence of ongoing climate change and explore the disparate impacts of climate change on local, regional, and global communities, including strategies for adaptation and mitigation.
All students with interests in climate, environmental science, just solutions, and sustainability are encouraged to enroll. Specific topics include: (1) energy balance, radiation, the greenhouse effect, and the carbon cycle; (2) atmospheric and ocean circulation; (3) methods of quantifying past and present climate change; (4) Earth’s climate history and causes of past climate change; (5) recent climate variability and change (warming); and (6) human impacts, adaptations, and mitigation. We pay attention to climate change in the news and incorporate new scientific and policy developments. In discussion sections, students dig deeper into lecture topics, work with quantitative climate data, solve problem sets, and gain clarification of lecture material as needed.
There is no required text for this class.
Course Requirements:
Grades are based on two exams, quizzes based on lecture materials, and discussion section exercises. A working knowledge of high school algebra and physical sciences is assumed.
Intended Audience:
All students with interests in climate, environmental science, fair solutions, and sustainability. This course is appropriate for majors and nonmajors.
Class Format:
3 hours per week lecture plus 1 hour per week discussion.