GC 170A1 (Sections 01, 02[H]) Introduction to Global Change (3cr)- Spring 2012

MWF 12-12:50, Space Sciences 308 [NO FOOD OR DRINK IN CLASSROOM]

Instructor: Prof. Steve Leavitt

Lab. of Tree-Ring Research

Room 218 W. Stadium (west side of Football stadium- up stairs to second level at Gate 15)

phone: 621-6468; e-mail: sleavitt@ltrr.arizona.edu

Office hours: MW 1-2 Room 330SS, and by appointment; e-mail queries tend to be answered rapidly

TA: Laura Marshall (lamarsh@email.arizona.edu); Office hours: TBA

Readings: Required Textbooks 1. Dire Predictions, by M.E. Mann & L.R. Kump, Pearson, 2009

2. Our Changing Planet, by F.T. Mackenzie, Prentice-Hall, 4^th Ed. 2011

Required and optional Web Readings; handouts

Homework: Announced in class

Course Content: Anyone following current events on the web, TV, radio or in the newspapers cannot help but be aware of the growing number of reports about changes taking place on our Earth, for example related to atmospheric temperatures, forest decline, hurricanes, wildfires, glaciers and ice sheets, resources, etc. Global Change Science is a rapidly developing multidisciplinary field that addresses (a) the natural operation of Earth's atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere, (b) the natural and human-induced ("anthropogenic") mechanisms by which these systems may be altered, and (c) the nature of the changes. The consequences of such changes, whether natural or anthropogenic, could clearly be important to climate, agriculture, commerce, and human health on our planet. This course will examine the science of global environmental change, in part using elements of the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Al Gore as a springboard for investigating in greater detail the underpinnings of such processes as the greenhouse effect, global warming, the ozone hole, sea-level rise, and deforestation. Introduction to physical and chemical characteristics of Earth systems is advanced in this class as a prelude to a more complete and thoughtful analysis of major global change issues. In addition to learning (1) the principles and jargon of global change science, and (2) our limitations in understanding, improvement of writing skills is promoted.