Environmental Science A21 - Truth and Consequences: Global Warming and Climate Change

Institution:

Wheaton College - Massachusetts

Subject:

Description:

The signs of global warming are all around us: melting glaciers, rising sea level, increased storm severity, and the spread of insect-born diseases. Yet debate about the need for action continues, often with an underlying assertion that scientific uncertainty is too great. In this seminar, we will analyze the scientific evidence for global warming in order to provide a framework for evaluating the extent and urgency of the issue. We will explore how scientists glean information about ancient climates from the geological record, what former climates can tell us the future, how climate has impacted civilizations in the past, the ways in which global warming has been manifested so far, and how scientists make predictions about future climate change. With a solid understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes driving global warming, we will move on to consider broader aspects of the issue, including how the effects will be distributed across societies, what the alternatives are for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the role of developing countries in future emissions strategies, and the responsibilities of technologically advanced countries in mitigating the effects. We will investigate the interplay between science and society and consider the ways a scientific understanding of global warming can contribute to the social, economic, and political debate in the United States and abroad. This seminar is designed to help you not only understand the causes and consequences of global warming, but also assess your role as a global citizen in addressing this world-wide environmental crisis. (Jani Benoit)

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wheatoncollege.edu

Phone Number:

(508) 285-7722

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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