GEOL 1060: Global Change: An Earth Science Perspective

Glacier Gorge. Photo Courtesy of Paul Weimer.

Mt. Bierstadt Lake. Photo Courtesy of Paul Weimer.

Alpine Glacier. Photo Courtesy of Lon Abbott and Terri Cook.

Melting Sea Ice. Photo Courtesy of Lon Abbott and Terri Cook.

Themes

How does the Earth’s energy balance work, and what type of perturbations can drive climate change?
How do geologic records of the Earth’s past inform us about the climate system and how it might behave in the future?
What makes current climate change unique in Earth’s history?

Course Description

Focuses on evidence for planetary warming, climate change, glacier and ice-sheet melting and sea level rise both now and in the recent past. Attempts to develop understanding of the interactions within the coupled Earth system that regulate such changes. Utilizes examples from the geological and instrumental records, and evaluates the global warming forecast.