GES3860

Climate change and variability

(ART)

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

6 points + 3 hours per week (two lectures and one lecture plus one 3-hour practical in alternate weeks) + First semester + Clayton + Prerequisites: Second-year physical geography or environmental science or mathematics or permission + Prohibition: ATM3251

Synopsis: A multidisciplinary approach to the nature, causes and future implications of climatic change and variability. Emphasis placed on processes such as rapid climate change, Greenhouse warming, monsoon activity and the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon which are of greatest global concern. Contributions of fossil, historical and instrumental data are critically assessed and social, economic, political and broad environmental implications of predicted future changes are evaluated. Analysis of tree rings forms a core of field and practical work.

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