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The Global Environment The Global Environment: a trip from the Big Bang to Climate Change (BISC 427 or GEOL 427) Class Time: MW 2:00-3:30 PM; VKC 207 Instructor: Text: Sergio Sañudo-Wilhelmy AHF 206 Tel: 213-821-1302 Email: [email protected] Office hours: Thursday 11:30-12:30 or by appointment. No text required. All readings will be posted on the class’ web site We focus on the development of Earth as a habitable planet, from its origin to human impacts on global biogeochemical cycles in the ocean, land and atmosphere. We seek to define the scientific basis (including ecosystem ecology) for understanding the magnitude and temporal scales of recent global environmental changes. The class is divided in three sections; Section I describes the major processes (from the Big Bang to the Earth’s formation) that provided the raw materials for the evolution life on planet Earth. In this section, we will also study how the different biochemical pathways evolved and how some of them have influenced Earth’s climate and chemical composition. Section II describes the connections among Earth’s different reservoirs that make the planet habitable. Section III concentrates on describing the human impact on the global environment, as well as discussing potential solutions. This is an upper division class recommended for students majoring in Environmental Sciences, Biology and Earth Sciences. Grading: 1) Class attendance and participation (10%) 2) Quizzes and homework (20%) 3) Research Paper (based on at least 10 peer-reviewed references; about 10 pages long; topics should be approved by the instructor by Thursday March 8, 2007; 15%) 4) Student presentation (15 minutes long; power point based on research topic; 15%) 5) Mid-term exam (20%) 6) Final exam; not cumulative (20%) Assignments: All assignments are to be typed, double-spaced, 12 pt font. Late assignments will not be accepted. 1 The Global Environment TOPIC Section I: Origins Introduction Basic principles of Energy Evolution of the Chemical Elements, Universe, Solar System and Earth. Co-evolution of Life and the Atmosphere Evolution of Metabolic pathways (from fermentation to photosynthesis) Section II: The Earth Machine Atmosphere and Geosphere Hydrosphere CLIMATE: The Nature and causes of Climate change Ecological Context and Key events in evolution Guns, germs and Steel (video) Biogeochemical cycles Regulation of the Elements: Carbon and Nitrogen Regulation of the Elements: Phosphorus and Sulfur Regulation of the Elements: Trace metals Section III: Human Dimension Historical Perspective: Climate change and societal collapse. Isotopes, Paleoclimate and past Climate Change Anthropogenic Perturbations of Climate: What to do? Causes: Population growth, Energy Demand and Resource Consumption Biological Diversity and Conservation Global Environmental Change & Agriculture Global Environmental Change & Water Global Environmental Change & Marine Environment Global Environmental Change & Human Health Global Environmental Change & Energy Population dynamics Section IV. Policy, Politics and Economics of Climate Change Alternatives: Energy wedges Inconvenient Truth (video) Section V: Student presentations 2 The Global Environment January 12 14 19 21 26 28 February 2 4 9 11 16 18 23 25 Introduction and overview State of the Planet-discussion MLK Evolution of the Chemical Elements, Universe, Solar System and Earth Evolution of the Chemical Elements, Universe, Solar System and Earth Functioning of planet Earth Origin of life Evolution of metabolic pathways Co-evolution of Life and atmospheric composition Key events in biological evolution Presidents day Guns, germs and steel (part 1) Guns, germs and steel (part 2) Climate evolution: The Nature and causes of Climate change March 2 4 9 11 16 18 23 25 30 Global biogeochemical cycles: carbon Global biogeochemical cycles: nitrogen Mid-term Human perturbations to the global biogeochemical cycles Spring break Spring break Historical Perspective: Climate change and societal collapse. The Great Warming Dimming the Sun 1 6 8 13 15 20 22 27 29 Causes: Population growth, Energy Demand and Resource Consumption Alternatives to Population growth, Energy Demand and Resource Consumption Impact of climate change on human health Global environmental change: biodiversity Global environmental change: Oceans Global environmental change: water and agriculture Presentations Presentations Presentations April May Finals 3