Fall 2016
Introduction to Climate Change: Science and Society
CCS 103X
Fall 2016
INSTRUCTORS:
Dr. Nicky Phear, DHC 116, , 243-6932
Dr. Steve Running, CHCB 428,
GTA: Charlotte Reed,
GTA: Peter McDonough,
CLASS MEETINGS:
Discussion Section: Monday & Wednesday 14:10-15:00, Davidson Honors College, Room 118
Lecture: Monday & Wednesday 15:30-16:50, Chemistry 123
OFFICE HOURS: Dr. Nicky Phear: Tues 14:30-16:00 & Wed 13:00-14:30
WEBSITE: https://sites.google.com/site/umclimatechangestudies/home
TEXTBOOK: Robert Henson, The Thinking Person’s Guide to Climate Change (2014)
Course Description and Objectives:
This is an introductory course on the scientific and social dimensions of global climate change. The goal is to provide students with a basic understanding of the scientific, political and technological issues arising from global climate change, and to make connections across these varied dimensions when considering solution.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, YSEALI Fellows will be able to:
(1) demonstrate an understanding of the global climate system, including significant interactions and feedbacks that range over time and space;
(2) assess their individual carbon footprint, compare their impact to others across the globe, and consider per capita and per country rights to the atmospheric global commons;
(3) compare various technological and political solutions in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency in stabilizing the climate;
(4) participate in a role playing exercise of the UN climate negotiations to experience the challenging practice of making global climate agreements; and,
(5) discuss the notion of common but differentiated responsibilities for mitigating climate change in light of differing contributions and capacities.
Class Format:
Each week different topics related to the global climate change issue will be explored through both the lecture and discussion sessions. Readings from the assigned textbook are suggested, as indicated in the schedule.
CLASS SCHEDULE:
From Textbook / Discussion Session Focus /
M 8/29 / Introduction / Dr. Nicky Phear,
Climate Change Studies Program / Climate Change:
A primer
pp. 3-26 / Climate change primer, overview, and introductions
W 8/31 / Principles of the
Global Climate I / Dr. Steve Running,
Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences Department / Who’s Responsible?
pp. 41-56 / Who’s Responsible?
Contributions to climate change
Individual and country carbon footprints
M 9/05 /
LABOR DAY – NO CLASS
W 9/07 / Principles of the
Global Climate II / Dr. Steve Running,
Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences Department / The Symptoms
pgs. 59-227
Extreme heat, floods & drought, the big melt, oceans, hurricanes and other storms, ecosystems & agriculture / The Symptoms?
Climate change impacts now and in the future
(touch on Glacier National Park)
M 9/12 / Paleoclimatology / Dr. Anna Klene,
Geography Department / Technological Solutions
pgs. 397-436 / The Solutions?
What will it take to effect change technologically?
W 9/14 / Global Climate Models, forecasting, Montana Climate Assessment / Dr. Nick Silverman,
Montana Climate Office / Political Solutions,
pp. 367-396 / The Solutions?
What will it take to effect change technologically?
Introduction to World Climate Simulation and review group briefing sheets