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?
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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?
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.
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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
Good to know
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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.
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.
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.
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