Overview

This module looks at climate change from three viewpoints:

1) how has climate has changed in past and how do we determine this? 2) How is climate predicted to change in future and how we model this? And 3) what impacts those future changes may have on society.

The module aims to place the contemporary climate change debate in a longer-term scientific context and explore debates around the causes and consequences of historic and contemporary climate change.

Topics covered in this module may include:

1. Major concepts: climate and environmental change and 'global warming'.
2. Temporal and spatial patterns of historical climate change. Hot House and Ice House climates, glacial/interglacial cycles, Quaternary climate change (Last Glacial Maximum, Younger Dryas Hypsithermal, Medieval Warm Period, Little Ice Age).
3. Drivers of climate change at a range of temporal scales.
4. Use of environmental proxies. The course will cover the use of a range of environmental proxies for reconstructing past climate at a range of temporal and spatial scales. This will include the use of dendrochronological records, palaeo-atmospheric chemistry (ice-cores), speleotherms, varved sedimentary deposits, documentary records, primary climate observations.
5. The contemporary climate change debate. Depiction in the popular media, causes, magnitude. Evidence presented in the peer-reviewed, scientific literature.
6. Future predictions of climate change. IPCC, GCMs.
7. Socio-economic impacts of climate change and the mitigation and adaption to climate change. Focus on both attempts to address potential causes (e.g. COP conferences) and impacts.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Grades D- (42%) to D+ (48%): Basic knowledge of the concept of climate change, but lacking a clear multidisciplinary approach to the issues. Presentation of limited examples to illustrate the spatial and temporal variability in climate change and the evidence that highlights this, the predictions for future trends in climate and the suggested socio-environmental implications. Structured, mostly accurate and relevant description. Limited quantification and basic level of critical evaluation expected.

• Grades C- (52%) to C+ (58%): Adequate knowledge of the concept of climate change with a basic multidisciplinary approach to the issues. Presentation of appropriate examples to illustrate the spatial and temporal variability in climate change and the evidence that highlights this, the predictions for future trends in climate and the suggested socio-environmental implications. Structured, accurate and relevant description. Some quantification and basic level of critical evaluation expected.

-good -Grades B- (52%) to B+ (58%): Clear understanding and thorough knowledge of the concept of climate change, with evidence of reading and knowledge of recent developments in the subject . Multidisciplinary issues emphasised, and thoroughly described with a clear appreciation of concepts of spatial and temporal scales. Balanced review of natural and anthropogenic processes. Thorough quantification and critical evaluation of case studies. High standard of presentation.

-excellent -Grades A- (74%) to A** (100%): Clear understanding, wide and thorough knowledge of the concept of climate change. Evidence of substantial reading, and knowledge of recent developments in the understanding of historical and future climate change at a range of spatial and temporal scales. Clear awareness of multidisciplinary issues with greater social, cultural and economic emphasis. Detailed quantification and explanation of derivations. Critical evaluation with well reasoned opinion. Elegant and flowing presentation, with flair for subject.

Learning Outcomes

• Accurately describe spatio-temporal trends in predicted future climate.

• Describe the impacts of predicted climate change and the proposed approaches to mitigation or adaptation.

• Outline major patterns of past global and regional climate change at a range of temporal scales.

• Present an evidenced argument in relation to a key topic associated with climate change.