Climate and Society: Case Studies
V1003: Fall, 2014
Understanding the science and
policy dimensions of current
environmental problems.
Peter deMenocal
http://eesc.columbia.edu/courses/v1003/index.html
What is this course about?
The basic science behind three climate issues:
1) Ozone depletion
2) El Niño
3) Global warming
Presented as “case studies”: Problems and Solutions
How international policy was developed to mitigate risk.
How science shapes policy
Why should I take this course?.
Why should I take this course?
Understand the basics of climate science.
Science guides policy.
Knowledge is power – climate change is
happening now, in your lifetime.
Why I offer this course
Q: Do you think human activities impact global temperature?
58% of the general public say yes.
97% of climate scientists say yes.
(Doran and Kendall, 2009)
What’s really in it for you?
Course Overview
Three case studies:
1. Ozone depletion (success story)
2. El Niño-related climate changes (evolving
success story)
3. Global warming (work in-progress)
For each, we examine the scientific basis of the problem and
consider the origins and effectiveness of policy “fixes”.
Topics we cover...
• Ozone depletion
• El Niño climate variability
• Global warming
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How the climate system works
Ocean circulation
Carbon in the ocean and atmosphere
Global population.
Sustainable Development
Future climate projections
Carbon sequestration
Global warming debates
Prerequisites?
None.
Basic science and math courses will be helpful.
High-school level algebra, physics, and chemistry.
Everything covered in the course and on the exams
is presented in lectures, notes, and readings.
What got you into Columbia will get you through this
class.
Required text
Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast
by Dr. David Archer (2011 – 2nd edition!)
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Press;
288 pages.
ISBN-10: 0470943416
Available at Book Culture
Class Format
Lectures
– Web-based lecture notes (PowerPoint, PDF)
– Invited specialist lectures.
Readings
– Readings are online on Courseworks
Homework assignments
– Assignments every ~2 weeks
Exams
– One after each of the three modules
Homework
There will be 6 assignments. Top 5 used for
final grade.
Homework can be submitted early, but not late.
No credit for late submission.
Must be your work only. Anything otherwise
results in a zero for entire homework portion
of grade.
Grading
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final exam
Attendance & quizzes
Homework
Average grade is A- to B+
20%
25%
35%
5%
15%
Prior class grades
Average Grade: A- to B+
4
11
8
20
14
13
3
5
6
'A+' grades (5%)
'A' grades (13%)
'A-' grades (9%)
'B+' grades (23%)
'B' grades (16%)
'B-' grades (15%)
'C+' grades (3%)
'C' grades (6%)
'C-' grades (7%)
How can I get an “A” ?
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Participate, ask questions!
Reading material helps, but focus on the lectures.
Complete all homework assignments
Use the practice exams to get a feel for my
questions.
• Get help if you need it.
• If you have special circumstances, please let me
know early.
What is “Lamont” ?
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Palisades, NY
(20 miles away)
50 Faculty
100 Ph.D. scientists
50 post-docs
90 Grad. Students
Discoveries at Lamont: Plate tectonics, El Niño, global warming,
ocean acidification, origin of the ice ages, rapid climate change…
Saturday, October 11, 2014
10 AM - 4 PM
Free transportation (~30 minute comfy bus ride)