GES3860

Climate change and variability

Professor Peter Kershaw, Associate Professor Nigel Tapper, Associate Professor David Mercer, Professor David Karoly, Associate Professor Jim Peterson and Dr David Dunkerley

6 points - 3 hours per week on average (2 lectures and 1 lecture plus 3-hour practical in alternate weeks) - First semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: 16 points of second-year geography or permission of the head of department

Objectives Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the dynamic nature of global climates and their past, present and future influences on human population patterns and activites; a familiarity with the range of techniques available for climatic reconstruction and prediction, together with an ability to assess their relative merits and limitations; an appreciation of the nature and degree of uncertainty in climatic prediction; an appreciation of the importance of a knowledge of both scientific and human components in addressing environmental issues.

Synopsis This multidisciplinary subject examines the nature, causes and future implications of climatic change and variability. Emphasis is placed on processes which are of greatest global concern such as rapid climate change, Greenhouse warming, monsoon activity and the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. An assessment is made of predictive climatic models and the major types of data from fossil and historical records which are used as model input and for model validation. The course concludes with an evaluation of the social, economic, political and broad environmental implications of predicted future changes. The field and practical part of the course will focus on the collection and analysis of data which provide important information for determination of patterns of climate change and variability.

Assessment Written (2000 words): 30% - Examinations (1.5 hours): 40% - Practical field and laboratory work: 30%

Recommended texts

Bouma W J and others Greenhouse: Coping with climate change CSIRO, 1996
Bradley R S Quaternary palaeoclimatology Allen and Unwin, 1985
Houghton J T and others Climate change 1995: The science of climate change CUP, 1996
Strzepek K M and Smith J B As climate changes CUP, 1995
Sturman A and Tapper N J The weather and climate of Australia and New Zealand OUP, 1996
Williams M A J and others Quaternary environments Edward Arnold, 1993

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