Download ENS 311 The Global Environment

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