Undergraduate - UnitMON1001 - Climate change: An interdisciplinary challenge

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Synopsis

Climate change is becoming an ever greater challenge to the sustainability of modern society. This unit explores the basic principles and physical processes that define and govern the Earth's climate. The response of the atmosphere and ocean to these forces are explored, as well as their role in establishing the variability of climate. Major human decisions that affect climate are then considered followed by an exploration of the global governance of the climate change regime in the context of the broader consequences of climate change to our society. Mitigation and adaptation scenarios are explored, and the design and costs of the climate change policies necessary to implement these various strategies.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate:

1. An understanding of the key components of the climate system and the key physical processes that influence climate, including aspects of weather and natural variability;
2. An understanding of how human activities have modified the Earth's climate since the industrial revolution;
3. An understanding of the techniques used for climate modeling, the results of current projections for the 21st century, and the implications for living systems;
4. An understanding of the role and responsibilities of key international institutions, including the Earth Systems Science Partnership, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC);
5. An understanding of the consequences for economies, international development and social justice of different approaches to
   1. the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and
   2. the adaptation to unavoidable impacts of climate change;
6. Competence in information technology, data handling, laboratory skills, communication skills and team work as appropriate for a level-one interdisciplinary study of climate change.

Assessment

Project 1: 20%
Essay: 20%
Project 2: 30%
Final Examination (3 hours): 30%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Christian Jakob

Contact hours

Three 1-hour lectures per week, one 2-hour laboratory/support class per week, plus private study/research time

Prohibitions

ATM1020