Climate Change

Catalog description

It's taken billions of years to generate the exact, quintessential conditions needed for humans to survive on Earth. Yet, in less than a century, humans now threaten to upset the delicate balance that makes existence on this planet possible. While climate has naturally cycled over the course of earth’s long history, scientists agree that we must take control of our addiction to fossil fuels or risk the habitability of the planet. Through an examination of both the science and the social aspects of climate change, this course will give students an understanding of the climate challenge. Students will learn the scientific mechanisms of atmospheric and ocean circulation. They will also gain an understanding of the ways climate scientists are actively trying to predict the outcome of our actions through climate models and computer forecasting. Students will also learn about the challenges of political and public discourse on climate change and evaluate the effectiveness of current policy solutions, to final ask: What should be done?