Introduction to the Arctic: Climate from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Arctic Environments

This course is about the remarkable northern regions of the earth, the Arctic! Although sometimes considered remote and dangerous, the Arctic is home to many peoples, along with the ecosystems that they coexist with. Researchers from many fields, both scientists and non-scientists, study this vast circumpolar region to understand the environment, peoples, animals, economies, and resources. You’ll soon learn about the environments (the characteristics of the natural world) and climate (the prevailing atmospheric, oceanic and ice conditions) of the world’s North.

Climate Systems

In this lesson we’ll learn about the climate of the Arctic, and the way the climate interacts with the rest of the Earth system. In Lesson 1, we saw how the Earth receives energy from the sun and how heat is trapped on our planet through the natural greenhouse effect. We will now discuss how this energy is distributed throughout the globe and how it is transferred from the tropics to the poles via the large-scale circulation systems of the atmosphere and the ocean. We’ll learn the difference between the natural and the human-induced greenhouse effect - driven by the input of greenhouse gases created by burning fossil fuels, such as carbon dioxide and methane - and discuss what the future holds for the Arctic’s climate. As you will see, the global climate system is tightly linked and climate change in the Arctic also strongly affects temperate latitudes.

The Cryosphere

In this lesson, we’ll be learning about the Arctic cryosphere, which is the portion of the Earth’s surface where water occurs in solid forms. Such as snow and ice! In Lesson 2, we talked about atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Now we will learn about when and how ice forms on the surface of the Earth, including such topics as: sea ice, river ice, glaciers , and permafrost. How all this ice formed on the ocean and on (and in) the land? How it relates to the atmosphere and ocean?

Implications of Climate Change

In this lesson, we’ll be learning about the implications of climate change. Through the first 3 lessons, we’ve learned a great deal about the Arctic environment. This environment is rapidly changing, largely due to industrial human activity throughout the world. You’ll remember the natural greenhouse effect that we discussed in Lesson 1. Carbon dioxide and water vapour are among the naturally occurring greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. They trap outgoing longwave radiation, raising the average temperature of the Earth. We will learn and discuss how sea ice and glaciers react to changes in our atmosphere and oceans. We will then discuss the implications of the changing environment on ecosystems, wildlife and humans.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops knowledge of Arctic environments, climate systems, the cryosphere, and the implications of climate change, which are core skills for understanding the world’s North

Explores the environment and climate of the circumpolar North, which is highly relevant to understanding global climate systems and the implications of climate change

Offers a comprehensive study of Arctic climate, which is useful for personal growth and development in environmental awareness

Examines current climate change in the Arctic and its implications, which is highly relevant to understanding the future of our planet

Taught by Paul Myers, Ph.D, who are recognized for their work in Arctic climate

Requires learners to come in with no extensive background knowledge, making it accessible to a wider audience

Reviews summary

Introduction to arctic climate

According to students, this course offers engaging video lectures and lecture notes that are thorough and well-written. The course provides a good introduction to the Arctic, its geography, biology, climate, and the effects of climate change in the region.

Good introduction to the Arctic, including geography, biology, and climate.

"This course gives a nice introduction to the Arctic, its geographical and biological features, and then focuses on its climate, ecological niches, and climate change."

Lecture notes feel like reading an encyclopaedia.

"high-quality videos, and detailed lecture notes, which feel like as if you're reading an encyclopaedia."

Engaging video lectures with a wealth of knowledge.

"After taking marvelous paleontological courses from the University of Alberta, I thought - this one cannot be bad. And I was right. As it is the case with other courses, this one has high-quality videos"

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to the Arctic: Climate will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Professor

As a Professor, you teach and conduct research within your area of expertise. This course can help prepare you for this role by giving you a foundation in the climate of the circumpolar North. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the impacts of climate change on the Arctic and for developing strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Environmental Engineer

As an Environmental Engineer, you design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with a foundation in the climate of the circumpolar North. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the impacts of climate change on the Arctic and for developing strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Policy Analyst

As a Policy Analyst, you research and analyze public policy issues. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with a foundation in the climate of the circumpolar North. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the impacts of climate change on the Arctic and for developing strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Environmental Scientist

As an Environmental Scientist, you study the environment and its interactions with human activities. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with a foundation in the climate of the circumpolar North. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the impacts of climate change on the Arctic and for developing strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Sustainability Manager

As a Sustainability Manager, you develop and implement sustainability strategies for organizations. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with a foundation in the climate of the circumpolar North. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the impacts of climate change on the Arctic and for developing strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Oceanographer

As an Oceanographer, you study the oceans and their interactions with the Earth's atmosphere and landmasses. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with a foundation in the climate of the circumpolar North. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the impacts of climate change on the Arctic and for developing strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Atmospheric Scientist

As an Atmospheric Scientist, you study the atmosphere and its interactions with the Earth's surface. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with a foundation in the climate of the circumpolar North. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the impacts of climate change on the Arctic and for developing strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Glaciologist

As a Glaciologist, you study glaciers and their interactions with the Earth's climate. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with a foundation in the climate of the circumpolar North. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the impacts of climate change on the Arctic and for developing strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Climatologist

As a Climatologist, you study the climate and its effects on the environment. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with a foundation in the climate of the circumpolar North. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the impacts of climate change on the Arctic and for developing strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Science Writer

As a Science Writer, you communicate scientific information to the public. This course may be useful in developing your skills for this role as part of your Science Writer responsibilities.

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Conservationist

As a Conservationist, you work to protect the environment. This course may be useful in developing your skills for this role as part of your Conservationist responsibilities.

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Sustainability Consultant

As a Sustainability Consultant, you advise organizations on how to become more sustainable. This course may be useful in developing your skills for this role as part of your Sustainability Consultant responsibilities.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

As a Nonprofit Program Manager, you oversee the development and implementation of programs for nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful in developing your skills for this role as part of your Nonprofit Program Manager responsibilities.

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Journalist

As a Journalist, you write articles or pieces on the Arctic climate and adjacent topics that are published on various reporting platforms including digital, social media, and/or traditional print. This course may be useful in developing your skills for this role as part of your Journalist responsibilities.

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Renewable Energy Developer

As a Renewable Energy Developer, you develop and implement renewable energy projects. This course may be useful in developing your skills for this role as part of your Renewable Energy Developer responsibilities.

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