Climate and Climate Change in New Jersey from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to the American Museum of Natural History's (AMNH) primer called Climate and Climate Change in New Jersey! This primer includes numerous elements that will provide you with an understanding of our climate system and climate change in New Jersey, and encourage you to think about viable solutions for climate change impacts. It is divided into four parts, which may be completed sequentially as it was designed or in your own sequence. We estimate that it will take approximately 2.5 hours to complete. We are also happy to inform you that you can receive 2.5 professional development hours and a Certificate of Attendance upon successful completion of this course. Below is Part One of our primer (labeled as Week One in the navigation bar). The resources in this part introduce you to the layout of the primer and the basics of our global climate system and New Jersey’s climate system. To guide your learning, we selected “sunny-day flooding” (also called tidal or nuisance flooding) as an anchoring phenomenon. The learning in each part of the primer will reveal another piece of this issue, which is becoming more and more prevalent in our coastal communities here in New Jersey. To begin, Dr. David Robinson, a Professor of Geography at Rutgers University, and the New Jersey State Climatologist, will introduce you to what is in store in a short video.

Climate Change

Before we look into the evidence of climate change, it is important to understand why our climate is changing. In the first video, Dr. Debra Tillinger, an oceanographer, describes the mechanisms causing our atmosphere to warm, and explains why the warming varies around the globe. In the final video of this section, Dr. Robinson provides more information about the evidence for climate change in New Jersey, and helps make the connection between sunny-day flooding and climate change in New Jersey.

Monitoring Our Climate and Predicting the Future

Now that we have an understanding of the basics of our climate system and we have explored evidence of global and local climate change, we want to understand what to expect in the future. To do this, we need to explore feedbacks and forcings that move our climate system away from stability. Watch the video “What are Feedbacks and Forcings?”, in which Dr. Tillinger explains how feedbacks and forcings affect the climate system. Understanding these interactions will help us understand the challenges of creating models to predict the future of our climate system. In his third video, Dr. Robinson explains how we monitor the climate system, including sea level rise, in New Jersey. What can we expect to happen to sea levels in New Jersey in the future? Can we expect more sunny-day flooding?

Impacts and Solutions

In this final part of the course, we will explore the impacts of climate change in New Jersey, and what can be done about it. In his final remarks, Dr. Robinson wraps up what we know about sunny-day flooding now and in the future, and provides his thoughts about solutions for the climate change impacts in New Jersey.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores climate change in New Jersey, which is highly relevant to residents of New Jersey

Teaches the basics of climate science, which is a foundation for further study in environmental science and related fields

Examines the impacts of climate change on New Jersey, which is important for understanding the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change

Career center

Learners who complete Climate and Climate Change in New Jersey will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Climate Scientist

Climate Scientists study climate change and its impacts on the environment and human society. This course is highly relevant to Climate Scientists because it provides an understanding of the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Climate Scientists develop and implement strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

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Climate Adaptation Specialist

Climate Adaptation Specialists develop and implement strategies to help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. This course is highly relevant to Climate Adaptation Specialists because it provides an understanding of the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Climate Adaptation Specialists develop and implement effective adaptation strategies.

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Hydrologist

Hydrologists study the movement and quality of water on Earth and underground. Climate and climate change have a significant impact on water availability and quality, making this course relevant to Hydrologists. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Hydrologists better understand the impacts of climate change on water resources and develop strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Atmospheric Scientist

Atmospheric Scientists study the atmosphere and its interactions with the Earth's surface. Climate change is a major area of research for Atmospheric Scientists, so this course is highly relevant. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Atmospheric Scientists better understand the impacts of climate change on the atmosphere and develop strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Oceanographer

Oceanographers study the oceans and their interactions with the atmosphere and land. Climate change is a major area of research for Oceanographers, so this course is highly relevant. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Oceanographers better understand the impacts of climate change on the oceans and develop strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and work to protect it from pollution and degradation. Climate change is a major environmental issue, so this course is highly relevant to Environmental Scientists. The course provides an understanding of the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Environmental Scientists develop and implement strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

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Meteorologist

Meteorologists study the atmosphere and its interactions with the Earth's surface. Climate change is a major area of research for Meteorologists, so this course is highly relevant. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Meteorologists better understand the impacts of climate change on the atmosphere and develop strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. Climate change is a major environmental problem, so this course is relevant to Environmental Engineers. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Environmental Engineers develop and implement strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability strategies for organizations. Climate change is a major sustainability issue, so this course is relevant to Sustainability Managers. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Sustainability Managers better understand the impacts of climate change on their organizations and develop strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Geographer

Geographers study the Earth's surface and its human and natural inhabitants. Climate change is a major factor that affects the Earth's surface, so this course is relevant to Geographers. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Geographers better understand the impacts of climate change on the Earth's surface and develop strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Energy Analyst

Energy Analysts study the production, consumption, and distribution of energy. Climate change is a major factor that affects the energy sector, so this course is relevant to Energy Analysts. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Energy Analysts better understand the impacts of climate change on the energy sector and develop strategies to mitigate these impacts.

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Environmental Educator

Environmental Educators teach people about the environment and its importance. Climate change is a major environmental issue, so this course is relevant to Environmental Educators. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Environmental Educators effectively communicate the science of climate change to their audiences.

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Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers specialize in environmental law. Climate change is a major environmental issue, so this course is relevant to Environmental Lawyers. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Environmental Lawyers better understand the legal implications of climate change and develop strategies to mitigate its impacts.

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Science Writer

Science Writers communicate scientific information to the public. Climate change is a major scientific issue, so this course is relevant to Science Writers. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Science Writers accurately and effectively communicate the science of climate change to the public.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts develop and evaluate public policies. Climate change is a major public policy issue, so this course is relevant to Policy Analysts. The course covers topics such as the basics of our global climate system, climate change evidence in New Jersey, and monitoring our climate and predicting the future. This knowledge can help Policy Analysts develop and evaluate policies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

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Climate and Climate Change in New Jersey

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