Climate and Climate Change

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Weather and climate affect people and societies across the world through agriculture, health, water supply, energy, economics, ecosystems and other sectors. Understanding how climate intersects with these and other sectors will be critical to understanding perhaps the most important global trend in the 21st century. Students will learn how the climate system works and the natural and anthropogenic forces that have caused changes in the climate across different timescales. The course will build this understanding by drawing on ideas and principles from the scientific disciplines that comprise modern climate science. Students will explore the implications of climate change on Earth's systems through physical, chemical, biological, and ecological examples. Finally, the course will address the implications of climate change for diplomacy, development, and national security. This course is cross-listed with ENST181-07. Some seats are reserved.