GEO 105 - Climate Change

, 3 Credits
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods


Introduction to Earth’s past and evolving climate including analysis of the causes and consequences of recent climate change.  Also includes impacts on human societies and the physical environment as well as mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Gen-Ed: Meets AGEC - SBS and G; Meets CTE - SBS and G.

1. Explain the key factors that account for unprecedented recent changes in Earth’s climate and the impact of those changes on the physical environment and human societies.
2. Evaluate short-and long-term climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant aspects of climatology, biogeography, water resources, and human-environment interactions
2. Recognize the causes of past and current climate change
3. Give detailed accounts of climate change impacts already observed
4. Evaluate linkages between changes in atmospheric warming and other changes in the biosphere
5. Use data-driven reports of the The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to predict future changes and their consequences
6. Evaluate IPCC recommendations and the prospects for regional and international solutions to climate change fostered issues
7. Account for the differential impact of climate change on various populations
8. Analyze specific mitigation and adaptation strategies that can be implemented locally, regionally, and globally

1. Week 1 Introduction to Geography & the Atmosphere
   1. Physical and Human Geography
      1. Location: The Grid System
      2. Regions and Place
      3. Perception
      4. The Scientific Method
   2. Climate and the Atmosphere
      1. The Greenhouse Effect
      2. Greenhouse gases – CO2, CH4, H2O
      3. Carbon Cycle
      4. Carbon Sinks
      5. Aerosols
   3. Electromagnetic radiation and the Earth’s radiation balance
2. Week 2 Evidence of Warming
   1. Oceans
      1. Hydrologic Cycle
      2. Sea Level Rise
      3. Ocean Acidification
      4. Coral Reefs
   2. Temperature/heat waves/drought/wildfire
   3. Extreme Weather Events
   4. Ice and Glacial Melt; Thawing Permafrost
   5. Ecosystem Disturbances
3. Week 3 Fluctuations in Earth’s Climate
   1. Methods for obtaining information about past climates
   2. Causes of Earth’s temperature fluctuations
      1. Milankovitch Cycles
      2. Solar Output
      3. Plate Tectonics
      4. Volcanic Activity
      5. Anthropogenic Causes
4. Week 4 Anthropogenic Climate Forcings & Feedbacks
   1. Burning Fossil Fuels
   2. Carbon Emissions
   3. Deforestation
   4. Carbon Sinks
   5. Fast Feedbacks – Ice-albedo feedback, water vapor feedback, cloud feedback
   6. Slow Feedbacks – melting ice sheets & permafrost, vegetation and weathering
5. Week 5 Case Study:  Climate Change, Colorado River, and the CAP

Part 2 Present and Future Impacts

6. The IPCC Report:  Climate Change 2021
7. Week 6 Current Impacts
   1. Temperature Rise
   2. Weather Anomalies
      1. Heat waves
      2. Drought
      3. Wildfire
      4. Floods
      5. Tropical Storms
8. Week 7 Ecosystems and Human Health
   1. Biodiversity and the Extinction Crisis
   2. Habitat Loss
   3. Animal and Human Migration
   4. Disease, Heat-related Illnesses, Air and Water Pollution
   5. Psychological and Sociological Impacts
9. Week 8 The Hydrosphere
   1. Oceans, Rivers, Lakes, and Aquatic Life
   2. Ocean Currents
   3. Freshwater Demand
   4. Ice sheets and Glaciers       
10. Week 9 Future Impacts
    1. IPCC Projections
    2. Cultural impacts
       1. Energy demand
       2. Consumption demand/Economic Development
       3. Disaster Relief
       4. Vulnerable Communities
       5. Impact inequities
    3. Climate refugees
    4. Coastal Flooding & Subsidence
       1. Wetlands
    5. Natural Resources & Conflict
    6. Agriculture and Food
    7. Human Health
    8. Population Growth

Part 3 Mitigation, Adaptation and Sustainability

11. Week 10 & 11 Mitigation and Sustainability
    1. Conservation
    2. Energy
    3. Renewable energy
       1. Solar
       2. Wind
       3. Hydroelectric, Geothermal, Wave
    4. Electric vehicles
    5. Carbon capture (sequestration)
    6. Natural Resources
    7. Water
    8. Nutrition and Food Insecurity
    9. Transportation
    10. Building and Industry
    11. Deforestation and Reforestation
    12. Consumption patterns

12. Week 12 Public Policy
    1. The Price of GHG Emissions
    2. Science, Disinformation and Denialism
    3. Carbon tax
    4. Cap and Trade
    5. Offsets
    6. Transportation
    7. Regulation
    8. Reporting
    9. Consumers and Conservation
13. Week 13 Geoengineering, Reforestation
14. Week 14 Adaptation
    1. Coastal Cities and Lowlands
    2. Relocation
    3. Disaster Relief
    4. Building and Retrofitting
15. Week 15   International Agreements and Solutions
    1. Paris Treaty, COP 28 (November, 2023)
    2. Developing and Developed Nations – Separate Paths
    3. Conflict and Climate Change
16. Week 16 Student Presentations – Adaption and Mitigation Strategies
    1. Final Exam