OVERVIEW
The Planet Earth system
Scott Lehman
Department of Geological Sciences
Institute of Arctic & Alpine Research - INSTAAR
Lehman
webpage at INSTAAR
Offices
Benson Earth Sciences (BESC), Room 246F
ph. 492-5478. Office Hours: 10:00 – 11:00 A.M TR,
or by e-mail (best) or phone
appointment.
East Campus, RL-1 (INSTAAR), Room 157
ph. 492-8980
Description (GEOL3520/ENVS3520 section 2)
Uses the example of man-made climate change to develop an intuitive understanding of the Earth system (solid, fluid, and living) that can be used to interpret the complex and uncertain forecast. Emphasis is given to the concept of forcing, feedback and response in order to examine natural vs. man-made environmental changes and climate change mitigation strategies.
We will make regular “hands-on” use of simple web-based radiation, carbon cycle and economic models.
The course is aimed at satisfying the upper division requirements of the natural sciences curriculum.