Climate Change: The Science Behind the Crisis

This course focuses on the scientific background of the present-day climate crisis, often also called Global Warming. The course will give you the scientific knowledge and tools needed to understand the crisis, including the many uncertainties behind the science. What do we really know with great certainty, and what is less certain? Can we still act given the uncertainty in the science behind the climate crisis?

After a short introduction to global warming, we will go back in time and put the present changes occurring today in context, by looking back in time to the ice ages that have occurred on our planet over the past million years. Are the changes happening today really that unusual? Have similar changes occurred in the past? We will then focus our weekly discussions on key aspects of the climate system to better understand the complexity of our climate. We will take a journey to our Sun, the source of all our energy in the climate system. Can the changes in our Sun explain the recent global warming? We will discuss the Energy Balance of our planet resulting from the balance between the energy we get from the Sun, and the energy lost from the Earth by cooling. We will learn about the water cycle and the important role of clouds and rain in the climate system. How do clouds impact the Earth’s temperature? We will discuss atmospheric circulation patterns, winds and storms.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Introduction : an overview of the topic of global warming and climate change. a brief introduction to the story behind the climate crisis and the implications for the future.
Paleoclimate : a look back in time to our past climates on earth. what can we learn from the past about the future? what caused the ice ages?
Our sun : the sun drives the earth’s climate, the weather. however, our sun has its own variability on many time scales that can impact the earth’s climate. can changes on the sun explain global warming?
Earth's energy balance : the earth’s temperature is related to the energy balance of our planet. this delicate balance is between the energy received from the sun (warming) and that lost by the earth (cooling).

The water cycle : more important than temperatures for life on our planet, is water. and our fresh water needed for drinking and irrigation is related to the hydrological cycle.
Clouds : the temperature of the earth is strongly dependent on the clouds in the
. clouds have a net cooling effect on the earth’s temperature, and we are not sure if rising greenhouse gases will increase or decrease clouds in the future.
Atmospheric motion : another important part of the climate system is the motion of air both vertically and horizontally in our atmosphere. the motion of air results in winds, storms and clouds, and also defines the locations of our rainforests and deserts.

Introduction : an overview of the topic of global warming and climate change. a brief introduction to the story behind the climate crisis and the implications for the future.
Paleoclimate : a look back in time to our past climates on earth. what can we learn from the past about the future? what caused the ice ages?
Our sun : the sun drives the earth’s climate, the weather. however, our sun has its own variability on many time scales that can impact the earth’s climate. can changes on the sun explain global warming?
Earth's energy balance : the earth’s temperature is related to the energy balance of our planet. this delicate balance is between the energy received from the sun (warming) and that lost by the earth (cooling).
The water cycle : more important than temperatures for life on our planet, is water. and our fresh water needed for drinking and irrigation is related to the hydrological cycle.
Clouds : the temperature of the earth is strongly dependent on the clouds in the
. clouds have a net cooling effect on the earth’s temperature, and we are not sure if rising greenhouse gases will increase or decrease clouds in the future.
Atmospheric motion : another important part of the climate system is the motion of air both vertically and horizontally in our atmosphere. the motion of air results in winds, storms and clouds, and also defines the locations of our rainforests and deserts.

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops an understanding of the scientific background of the present-day climate crisis

Suitable for learners passionate about climate change and its scientific implications

May not be suitable for learners not interested in scientific explanations of climate change

In-depth exploration of the key aspects of the climate system

Provides a comprehensive study of science, math, and technology related to climate change

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in understanding climate change

Reviews summary

Foundational climate science for all

According to students, 'Climate Change: The Science Behind the Crisis - Part 1' is a highly engaging and exceptionally clear course, particularly for those new to climate science. Learners frequently highlight the instructor's expertise and ability to simplify complex topics, making the science behind the crisis accessible to a broad audience. The course is praised for its well-structured content and its success in building a solid foundational understanding of climate change principles. While it offers a comprehensive scientific overview, some learners with prior science knowledge found the depth to be basic for advanced study, suggesting it serves best as an introduction rather than an in-depth exploration. A few students noted that quizzes occasionally felt misaligned with lecture content.

Provides a solid grounding in climate science fundamentals.

"It really builds a solid foundation for understanding the current crisis."

"This course provided me with the solid scientific grounding I was looking for. Excellent work!"

"A solid introduction to climate science... a 'Part 1' and sets the stage well for deeper dives."

Simplifies complex science, ideal for those with limited background.

"I had little scientific background, and I never felt lost. The lectures are clear and engaging."

"The material is presented so clearly and logically... Great course for general knowledge and understanding the fundamentals."

"Perfect starting point for understanding climate science... I finally feel like I grasp the core scientific principles."

Professor Sobel excels at explaining complex scientific concepts.

"The instructor, Prof. Adam H. Sobel, is fantastic – truly an expert who can explain difficult topics in an understandable way."

"Professor Sobel is exceptional. His explanations are precise, easy to follow, and he clearly cares about making the science understandable to a broad audience."

"The instructor is engaging and patient. I finally feel like I grasp the core scientific principles without being overwhelmed."

Focuses on theory; quizzes occasionally felt misaligned.

"While the instructor is good, I found the quizzes to be sometimes tricky or not directly covered in the lectures, which was frustrating."

"I expected more practical applications or solutions, but it's very theoretical science. I suppose the title is 'The Science Behind...', so maybe my expectations were off."

May lack depth for learners with existing scientific knowledge.

"Some parts felt a bit slow for me as I already had a science background. I was hoping for a bit more advanced material."

"Good for a foundational understanding. While it covers the basics well, I found myself wanting more depth in certain areas."

"It's a good introduction for true beginners, but might not challenge those with prior knowledge."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Climate Change: The Science Behind the Crisis - Part 1 with these activities:

Review Math and Statistics Concepts

Show steps

Brush up on your math and statistics skills to analyze climate data more effectively.

Browse courses on Statistics

Show steps

Review basic math operations, statistics formulas, and data visualization techniques.
Solve practice problems to reinforce your understanding.

Practice Global Warming Concepts with Flashcards

Show steps

Refresh your memory on the key concepts and terms related to global warming to prepare for the course.

Browse courses on Global Warming

Show steps

Create a set of flashcards covering key climate change concepts, such as greenhouse gases, carbon footprint, and climate models.
Review the flashcards regularly to reinforce your understanding.

Connect with Climate Change Experts

Show steps

Learn from professionals in the field of climate change and gain valuable insights.

Show steps

Identify experts in the field whom you admire or whose work aligns with your interests.
Research their backgrounds, publications, and areas of expertise.
Reach out to them via email, LinkedIn, or other platforms to inquire about mentorship opportunities.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Understand the Science of Climate Change

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of the scientific mechanisms behind global warming.

Browse courses on Climate Science

Show steps

Find reputable online tutorials or documentaries that explain the science of climate change, such as NASA's Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet.
Take notes and pause the material to reflect on the concepts.
Discuss what you've learned with classmates or online forums.

Create an Infographic on Climate Change Impacts

Show steps

Convey the effects of climate change in a visually impactful way to raise awareness and promote understanding.

Browse courses on Climate Change Communication

Show steps

Gather data and research on the impacts of climate change on various sectors, such as ecosystems, human health, and the economy.
Design the infographic using visuals, charts, and graphs to present the information clearly and concisely.
Share the infographic on social media or other platforms to reach a wider audience.

Read 'Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet'

Show steps

Gain insights into the potential consequences of global warming and inspire action.

View Our Final Warning: Six Degrees of Climate... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting important passages.
Summarize the main arguments and evidence presented in the book.

Host a Climate Change Awareness Session

Show steps

Engage with your peers and share your understanding of climate change, encouraging collective action.

Browse courses on Environmental Advocacy

Show steps

Plan the session, including topics to cover, activities, and resources.
Invite classmates, friends, or community members to participate.
Facilitate the session, presenting information, leading discussions, and answering questions.

Participate in a Climate Change Hackathon

Show steps

Join forces with others to develop innovative solutions and demonstrate your understanding of climate change.

Show steps

Find a climate change hackathon that aligns with your interests and skills.
Form a team or collaborate with others to develop a solution that addresses a specific climate challenge.
Present your solution to a panel of judges and receive feedback from experts.

Career center

Learners who complete Climate Change: The Science Behind the Crisis - Part 1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Climate Change

The Science Behind the Crisis - Part 1

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Foundational climate science for all

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses