Climate and Society: Case Studies V1003: Fall, 2014 Understanding the science and policy dimensions of current environmental problems. Peter deMenocal

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 – 2 nd edition!) Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Press; 288 pages. ISBN-10: 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 & quizzes5% 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 Observatory Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Palisades, NY (20 miles away) 50 Faculty 100 Ph.D. scientists 50 post-docs 90 Grad. Students Discoveries at Lamont: Plate tectonics, El Niño, global warming, ocean acidification, origin of the ice ages, rapid climate change…

Saturday, October 11, AM - 4 PM Free transportation (~30 minute comfy bus ride)