Prerequisites

This course is hosted by and based in the Department of Earth Sciences. It will assume a knowledge of Part IA NST Earth Sciences.  Students who have no prior Earth Science education are welcome to contact the lecturer for reading and background material before the course starts.

Synopsis

This course aims to provide a long-term ‘systems perspective’ on future climate change. The course is broken up broadly into three parts that provide: 

1) some background on ‘big climate questions’ that emerge when considering the ‘continuum’ of climate variability that is expressed in the record of past climate change;

2) an overview of Earth’s key climate components, with a focus on their role in abrupt climate transitions; and 

3) case studies in past climate change, that illustrate both fast- and slow dynamics in the Earth’s climate system.  

The course builds towards a long view on Earth’s future climate, drawing on the lessons that we can learn from the past.

Course structure:  
12 lectures, with supervisions available during the course and additional revision sessions in Easter term. 

Examination: 

One 2-hour exam that will include a compulsory 1-hour ‘short answer’ section, and a 1-hour essay question selected from a choice of two.

Contact: teaching@esc.cam.ac.uk