Earth Systems Science

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

The United Nations has developed 17 goals in achieving sustainable development, many of them aiming to mitigate anthropogenic pollution to air, water, climate, and other Earth systems. This course guides students to understand the underlying science principles, often integrating basic chemistry, physics, and biology, for interrelated Earth systems, and how Earth systems science informs environmental policymaking. Topics include stratospheric ozone depletion and Montreal Protocol, climate change science, and Paris Agreement, air/water pollution and EPA regulations (including the first-ever National Drinking Water Standard for PFAS), chemical contamination and Stockholm/Basel Conventions, as well as biogeochemical cycles. For each topic, the transdisciplinary science is demonstrated by combining key concepts, data analysis, and case studies, followed by discussions on formulating science-based policies. In addition, knowledge gaps and future developments in Earth systems science are discussed.