Climate and Society: Case Studies

V1003: Fall, 2014

Understanding the science and policy dimensions of current environmental problems.

Peter deMenocal

http://eesc.columbia.edu/courses/v1003/index.html

What is this course about?

The basic science behind three climate issues:

1) Ozone depletion

2) El Niño

3) Global warming

Presented as “case studies”: Problems and Solutions

How international policy was developed to mitigate risk.

How science shapes policy

Why should I take this course?.

Why should I take this course?

Understand the basics of climate science.

Science guides policy.

Knowledge is power – climate change is happening now, in your lifetime.

Why I offer this course

Q: Do you think human activities impact global temperature?

58% of the general public say yes.97% of climate scientists say yes.

(Doran and Kendall, 2009)

What’s really in it for you?

Course Overview

Three case studies:

1. Ozone depletion (success story)

2. El Niño-related climate changes (evolving success story)

3. Global warming (work in-progress)

For each, we examine the scientific basis of the problem and consider the origins and effectiveness of policy “fixes”.

Topics we cover...

• Ozone depletion• El Niño climate variability• Global warming

• How the climate system works• Ocean circulation• Carbon in the ocean and atmosphere• Global population.• Sustainable Development• Future climate projections• Carbon sequestration• Global warming debates

Prerequisites?

None.Basic science and math courses will be helpful.

High-school level algebra, physics, and chemistry.

Everything covered in the course and on the exams is presented in lectures, notes, and readings.

What got you into Columbia will get you through this class.

Required text

Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast

by Dr. David Archer (2011 – 2nd edition!)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Press;

288 pages.

ISBN-10: 0470943416 

Available at Book Culture

Class Format

Lectures– Web-based lecture notes (PowerPoint, PDF)– Invited specialist lectures.

Readings– Readings are online on Courseworks

Homework assignments– Assignments every ~2 weeks

Exams– One after each of the three modules

Homework

There will be 6 assignments. Top 5 used for final grade.

Homework can be submitted early, but not late. No credit for late submission.

Must be your work only. Anything otherwise results in a zero for entire homework portion of grade.

Grading

Exam 1 20%Exam 2 25%Final exam 35%Attendance & quizzes 5%Homework 15%

Average grade is A- to B+

Prior class grades

Average Grade: A- to B+

4 'A+' grades (5%)11 'A' grades (13%)8 'A-' grades (9%)20 'B+' grades (23%)14 'B' grades (16%)13 'B-' grades (15%)3 'C+' grades (3%)5 'C' grades (6%)6 'C-' grades (7%)

How can I get an “A” ?

• Participate, ask questions!• Reading material helps, but focus on the lectures.• Complete all homework assignments • Use the practice exams to get a feel for my

questions.• Get help if you need it.• If you have special circumstances, please let me

know early.

What is “Lamont” ?Lamont-Doherty Earth ObservatoryDepartment of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Palisades, NY (20 miles away)

50 Faculty100 Ph.D. scientists50 post-docs90 Grad. Students

Discoveries at Lamont: Plate tectonics, El Niño, global warming, ocean acidification, origin of the ice ages, rapid climate change…

Saturday, October 11, 2014 10 AM - 4 PM

Free transportation (~30 minute comfy bus ride)