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Polar Peril

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Mark C. Serreze

4.9

Based on 11 ratings

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Mark C. Serreze

This course takes a detailed look at the remarkable changes unfolding in the Arctic environment, including the shrinking Arctic sea ice cover, shrinking land ice, thawing permafrost and cascading impacts on Arctic ecosystems. After a review of Arctic climates of the past, attention turns to the possible future of the Arctic’s climate and environment.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Visible Indicators of Change

The Arctic is home to some of our planet's most visible indicators of climate change and we'll learn all about them in this module. Notable among these are the shrinking Arctic sea ice cover and the stronger warming of the Arctic compared to the rest of the globe, a phenomenon known as "Arctic Amplification". We'll then look at how the Arctic permafrost - perennially frozen ground - is warming and thawing. Finally, attention will turn to a direct threat to Arctic residents - coastal erosion and how it is tied to sea ice loss, ocean warming and warming permafrost.

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the remarkable changes unfolding in the Arctic environment, which is highly relevant in environmental science and climate studies

Taught by Mark C. Serreze, who is recognized for their work in the topic that the course teaches

Covers unique perspectives and ideas that may add color to other topics and subjects such as paleoclimatology and its significance in understanding recent climate change in the Arctic

Teaches skills, knowledge, and/or tools that are highly relevant to industry

Takes a creative approach to an otherwise established topic, field, or subject

Develops professional skills or deep expertise in a particular topic or set of topics

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive look at arctic climate change

According to students, Polar Peril offers a fascinating and comprehensive overview of Arctic climate change, praised for its up-to-date content and the instructor's brilliance and passion. Learners appreciate the clear explanations of complex topics like Arctic amplification and permafrost carbon feedback. The course effectively highlights visible indicators of change and their cascading impacts. However, some learners note the dense material and fast pace, suggesting it assumes a scientific background. While providing a strong foundation, some found it challenging for true beginners and desired more interactive elements or policy focus.

Provides a detailed and up-to-date look at Arctic climate changes.

"A very informative course on Arctic climate change. The syllabus covers key topics comprehensively, from sea ice dynamics to paleoclimatology."

"Excellent course for anyone interested in environmental science. The 'Visible Indicators of Change' module was particularly eye-opening, showing real-world impacts."

"I found the discussion on the Greenland ice sheet's mass balance to be very insightful. The content is up-to-date and the instructor is very knowledgeable."

"Good general overview of Arctic climate change. The modules on sea ice and permafrost were very clear."

Instructor's passion and clarity make complex science accessible.

"Absolutely fascinating! The instructor, Professor W.T. Pfeffer, is brilliant and explains complex topics like Arctic amplification and permafrost carbon feedback with such clarity."

"Fantastic course! The instructor's passion for the subject shines through every lecture. ... This course is a must-take for anyone who wants to understand the Arctic’s role in global climate."

"Mind-blowing insights into the Arctic. The permafrost carbon feedback loop explanation was incredibly clear and vital. The instructor's expertise is evident throughout."

Suggestions for more interactivity, deeper dives, or policy.

"While the content is strong, I wished for more interactive elements or perhaps some optional readings for deeper dives into specific research papers."

"I think a bit more time could have been spent on policy implications or mitigation strategies, as the course felt heavily focused on the 'what' and 'why' rather than the 'what now'."

"I struggled to keep up with the scientific jargon, even with some prior exposure to environmental topics."

Dense and fast-paced, suitable for those with scientific background.

"The subject matter is incredibly important, and the course covers a lot of ground. However, I sometimes struggled with the density of information... It's geared more towards an academic audience..."

"Content is solid but very academic. I felt like some of the lectures assumed a higher level of prior knowledge than I possessed."

"Found this course quite challenging and at times overwhelming. The material felt very dense and moved quickly. ... Not for true beginners."

"I felt the pace was a bit too fast for someone without a strong science background. More detailed explanations on some of the scientific terminology would be beneficial."

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 Polar Peril with these activities:

Learn the basics of Arctic geography and climate

Show steps

Review the basics of Arctic geography and climate to build a strong foundation for the course.

Show steps

Read an introductory article or book on Arctic geography and climate.
Locate the Arctic on a world map and identify its major geographic features.
Research the different climate zones of the Arctic and their characteristics.

Review 'The Arctic: A History' by Peter Wadhams

Show steps

Gain a comprehensive historical perspective on the Arctic region, its exploration, and the challenges it faces.

View A Farewell to Ice: A Report from the Arctic on Amazon

Show steps

Read 'The Arctic: A History' by Peter Wadhams.
Take notes and highlight key passages.
Summarize the main arguments and insights of the book.

Explore NASA's Arctic Sea Ice Data Portal

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience with Arctic sea ice data and visualize trends to understand the impact of climate change.

Browse courses on Arctic Sea Ice

Show steps

Visit the NASA Arctic Sea Ice Data Portal.
Follow the tutorials to explore different data visualizations.
Analyze trends in sea ice extent and thickness over time.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Host a study group on Arctic permafrost

Show steps

Collaborate with peers to exchange knowledge and insights on the topic of Arctic permafrost and its implications.

Browse courses on Climate Change Impacts

Show steps

Identify a topic related to Arctic permafrost.
Prepare materials and questions for discussion.
Lead the study group and facilitate discussions.
Summarize the key points and takeaways.

Solve problems on Arctic climate change impacts

Show steps

Apply your knowledge to solve real-world problems related to the impacts of climate change on Arctic ecosystems.

Browse courses on Climate Change Impacts

Show steps

Identify a problem related to climate change impacts on Arctic ecosystems.
Research and gather data on the problem.
Develop and evaluate potential solutions.
Present your findings and recommendations.

Create a video explaining the causes and consequences of Arctic amplification

Show steps

Deepen your understanding by creating a visual explanation of the phenomenon of Arctic amplification and its consequences.

Show steps

Research Arctic amplification and its causes.
Develop a storyboard for your video.
Record and edit your video.
Share your video with others.

Create a website or blog about the changing Arctic

Show steps

Share your knowledge and insights by creating a digital platform to inform others about the impacts and challenges facing the Arctic.

Show steps

Choose a platform for your website or blog.
Develop content on various aspects of the changing Arctic.
Design and customize the layout and appearance.
Publish and promote your website or blog.

Develop a model to predict the future of Arctic sea ice

Show steps

Challenge yourself by creating a predictive model to forecast the extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice in the coming years.

Browse courses on Arctic Sea Ice

Show steps

Gather data on historical Arctic sea ice extent and thickness.
Choose a statistical or machine learning model.
Develop and train your model.
Test and evaluate your model's accuracy.
Make predictions about future Arctic sea ice conditions.

Career center

Learners who complete Polar Peril will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Glaciologist

Glaciologists study glaciers and ice sheets to understand their properties, dynamics, and responses to climate change. Polar Peril can help build a strong foundation for a career in this field, providing a broad overview of the changes occurring in the Arctic ice cover and the potential impacts of these changes on the Earth's climate.

See salaries and explore the career path for Glaciologist

Paleoclimatologist

Paleoclimatologists study past climates to understand how the climate has changed over time and what factors have contributed to these changes. Polar Peril will help build a foundation for a career in this field by providing a thorough understanding of how the Arctic climate has changed in the past and how these changes can inform our understanding of the impacts and causes of modern climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Paleoclimatologist

Climate Scientist

A Climate Scientist studies and predicts how the Earth's climate system works. Work in this field requires a foundation of knowledge about how climate works, how climate has changed in the past, and how it is expected to change in the future. Polar Peril helps build this foundation by providing an understanding of climate change in the polar regions. This is important because the Arctic has one of the fastest-changing climates on the planet and serves as an indicator of broader climate changes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Scientist

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists help find solutions to environmental problems. They study the harmful effects of human activities on the environment and work to develop solutions that enable a sustainable relationship between human activity and the environment. Polar Peril can help build a strong foundation for this work by providing an understanding of climate change as an environmental problem, and by exploring the effects of human activity on the environment in specific.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Physical Geographer

Physical Geographers study the physical features of the Earth, including landforms, soil, water, and the atmosphere. Polar Peril can help build a foundation for a career in this field by providing a detailed overview of the physical changes occurring in a region that is particularly impactful and impacted by climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physical Geographer

Environmental Engineer

An Environmental Engineer focuses on improving the environment. Environmental Engineers may work with city planners and architects to design eco-friendly structures, work with farmers to help them reduce pollution, and even perform testing to understand how pollution moves through ecosystems. Polar Peril can help build a foundation for this career by providing insights into how climate change impacts ecosystems, including the movement of pollutants through arctic ecosystems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Ecologist

Ecologists study the interactions between organisms and their environment. Polar Peril can help build a foundation for a career in this field by providing an understanding of the effects of climate change on Arctic ecosystems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ecologist

Geochemist

Geochemists study the chemical composition of the Earth. This work helps us better understand the Earth's history and can be used to inform decisions about how we use the Earth's resources. Climate change may cause significant changes in the Earth's geology, particularly through the impact of warming on permafrost. Thus, Polar Peril may be a useful course for someone looking to enter this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geochemist

Meteorologist

Meteorologists study and predict the Earth's weather. Polar Peril can help build a foundation for a career in this field by providing a thorough understanding of the changing climate in the polar regions and the dynamics that drive these changes. This information is critical to accurately understanding and predicting weather patterns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Meteorologist

Soil Scientist

Soil Scientists study the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil to understand how soil is formed, how it changes over time, and how it can be used sustainably. Polar Peril can help build a foundation for a career in this field by providing a detailed understanding of how warming permafrost impacts soil in the Arctic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Soil Scientist

Hydrologist

Hydrologists study the movement and quality of water on Earth, including water in the atmosphere, on the surface, and underground. Polar Peril may be a useful course for a student looking to enter into the field of hydrology, as it provides an understanding of water in the atmosphere and on the surface, and how water in these places in the Arctic is changing as the climate changes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hydrologist

Water Resources Engineer

Water Resources Engineers focus on developing innovative strategies for managing the Earth's water resources. Polar Peril can help build a foundation for a career in this field by providing an overview of how climate change impacts the movement of water through the planet's coldest, driest region.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Engineer

Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife Biologists study the behavior, ecology, and conservation of wild animals. Polar Peril may be a useful course for someone looking to enter into the field of wildlife biology, as it focuses heavily on the impacts of climate change on wildlife in the Arctic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wildlife Biologist

Climatologist

Climatologists study climate and its long-term changes. Polar Peril may be a useful course for someone looking to enter into the field of climatology with a focus on polar regions. The course provides an overview of what climate change looks like in the region with the most rapidly changing climate on Earth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climatologist

Oceanographer

Oceanographers study the world's oceans, including their physical, chemical, and biological properties. Polar Peril may be a useful course for someone looking to enter into the field of oceanography, providing a foundation of knowledge about the ocean in polar regions and how the ocean interacts with the atmosphere in these regions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Oceanographer

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Polar Peril.

Cover image

Cover image

Brave New Arctic

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Comprehensive overview of the Arctic climate system, covering topics such as the Arctic atmosphere, ocean, sea ice, and land ice. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the Arctic climate system and its role in the global climate system.

Brave New Arctic

Brave New Arctic

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Provides a comprehensive history of the Arctic, from its geological origins to the present day. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of the Arctic and its people.

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Cover image

The Arctic Climate System

Save

Collection of essays that explore the future of the Arctic in light of climate change. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the Arctic in the coming decades.

The Arctic Climate System (Cambridge Atmospheric...

The Arctic Climate System (Cambridge Atmospheric...

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Cover image

Arctic Climate Impact Assessment - Scientific Report

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Comprehensive assessment of the impacts of climate change on the Arctic. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the challenges facing the Arctic and its people.

Arctic Climate Impact Assessment - Scientific Report

Cover image

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The Arctic Climate System

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of the Arctic climate system, and how it has changed over time.

The Arctic Climate System (Cambridge Atmospheric...

The Arctic Climate System (Cambridge Atmospheric...

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Lyrical and personal exploration of the Arctic, its people, and its wildlife. It beautiful and evocative work that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Cover image

Cover image

The Arctic Climate System

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of Arctic sea ice, and how it is changing in response to climate change.

The Arctic Climate System (Cambridge Atmospheric...

The Arctic Climate System (Cambridge Atmospheric...

Cover image

Cover image

The Arctic: A Very Short Introduction

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Provides a concise overview of the Arctic, including its history, climate, and people.

The Arctic: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short...

The Arctic: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short...

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Global Palaeoclimate of the Late Cenozoic

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Discusses the sea ice in the Arctic, and how it is affected by climate change.

Global Palaeoclimate of the Late Cenozoic (Volume...

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Cover image

Modeling Volcanic Processes

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Discusses the geophysics of the Arctic, and how it is affected by climate change.

Modeling Volcanic Processes: The Physics and...

Modeling Volcanic Processes: The Physics and...

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Rating

4.9

Effort

6 hours to complete

Level

Introductory

Via

Coursera

Institution

University of Colorado Boulder

Instructor

Mark C. Serreze

Language

English

This course belongs to a collection called Arctic Meltdown. It's comprised of three courses:

Intro to the Arctic
Polar Peril (viewing)
The North Awakens

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the remarkable changes unfolding in the Arctic environment, which is highly relevant in environmental science and climate studies

Taught by Mark C. Serreze, who is recognized for their work in the topic that the course teaches

Covers unique perspectives and ideas that may add color to other topics and subjects such as paleoclimatology and its significance in understanding recent climate change in the Arctic

Teaches skills, knowledge, and/or tools that are highly relevant to industry

Takes a creative approach to an otherwise established topic, field, or subject

Develops professional skills or deep expertise in a particular topic or set of topics

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