This course considers climate, weather, evidence that the Earth is warming, electromagnetic radiation, the greenhouse effect, the carbon cycle, feedbacks, forcings, and climate sensitivity. We also discuss why scientists are confident that humans are to blame for Earth’s recent warming, emission scenarios, impacts of climate change on humans and the Earth system, carbon costs, climate policy, adaptation, mitigation, solar radiation management, carbon dioxide removal, emission reduction, climate science history, and the decision-making process.
NO CLASS on March 11 (Spring Break)
Week 1. Introduction
Week 2. Is the Climate Changing?
Week 3. Radiation and Energy Balance
Week 4. A Simple Climate Model (All Models are Wrong, Some Models are Better Than Others)
Week 5. The Carbon Cycle
Week 6. Forcings, Feedback, and Climate Sensitivity
Week 7. Why is the Climate Changing and What Can We Do About it?
Week 8. Predictions of Future Climate Change
Week 9. Impacts of Climate Change
Week 10. Fundamentals of Climate Change Policy
Week 11. Mitigation Policies
Week 12. A Brief History of Climate Science and Environmental Policy
CLICK HERE for the full course outline. (Once you click on the link, the document will be available in your downloads folder to view or print.)