Learn about the science of climate change, the risks it poses and how human activity is changing our world.
- Duration4 weeks
- Weekly study3 hours
- LearnFree
Climate Change: The Science
Learn what climate change is, and how it affects the planet
Climate Change poses an increasing threat to the stability of Earth’s systems. If we want to protect our planet from dangerous and unprecedented change, first we must understand the science behind climate change.
On this course you will explore this science, looking back across 4 billion years of Earth’s history to help you learn the difference between ‘natural’ from ‘human’ induced change; looking to the present to see how the impacts of climate change are already being felt; and finally looking to the future to see what it might hold for our planet.
Syllabus
Week 1
From 28 Sep 2020
Introduction to Climate Science
Welcome!
Professor Tim Lenton and Dr Damien Mansell welcome you to the course and introduce you to some of the key principles of climate science.
What is climate?
Professor Tim Lenton welcomes you to the course and introduces you to some of the key principles of climate science.
The climate system, feedbacks and self-regulation
In this activity you will examine how the Earth’s climate can be conceptualised as a system. Professor Tim Lenton examines the importance of understanding our climate as a system controlled by feedbacks and natural cycles.
Summary and Reflect
Test your knowledge in this week's quiz, and reflect on what you've learnt so far
Week 2
From 5 Oct 2020
Evidence for Climate Change
Ancient past climate change
Professor Tim Lenton looks back at Earth's 4.5 billion year history to help us better understand natural variations in the Earth's climate
Recent past climate change
In this activity you will examine the key predictable and unpredictable determinants of climate change. Also you will exemplify the use of proxy climate records with reference to climate data collected from tree ring analysis.
Signs of Climate Change
What evidence do we have of the signals of climate change, including an increase in extreme weather events? Professor Mat Collins will be show you how observing our weather and climate has provided us with key indicators of change
Test and Reflect
Test your knowledge and reflect on what you've learnt in week 2
Week 3
From 12 Oct 2020
Impacts of Climate Change
Impacts on the Cryosphere
In this activity you will focus on the impact of climate change on the cryosphere. Dr Damien Mansell investigates how the cryosphere responds to climate change and what impact these changes might have on our planet
Impacts on the oceans
Discover the scale of the impact of increased carbon dioxide emissions on the chemistry of our oceans and explore the impact on the marine environment and how this will affect human activity.
Summary
Test your understanding and reflect on findings from Week 3
Week 4
From 19 Oct 2020
Looking ahead...
Modelling future climates
How do we predict what the future of the climate might look like? Professor Peter Cox visits the Met Office to explain how climate models are produced
Welcome to the Anthropocene!
We are entering a new chapter of Earth’s history – the Anthropocene. What do the next 1000 years hold for the Earth?
Course round-up
Finish up the course with one final quiz, our last weekly feedback video and a look to how you can continue studying Climate Change with the University of Exeter.
When would you like to start?
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe the key principles of climate change
- Explore past climate change
- Identify signs of climate change
- Explain impacts on land and ocean systems
- Discuss future projections and modelling future scenarios
Who is the course for?
You don’t need any prior knowledge of climate change, just an interest in science, nature and the environment.
Who will you learn with?
Professor Tim Lenton is Chair in Climate Change/Earth System Science at the University of Exeter. His research focuses on understanding the behaviour of the Earth as a whole system.
Senior Lecturer at The University of Exeter specialising in Glaciology, GIS and Remote Sensing
Educator on Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions
Find me on twitter @DamienMansell
PhD student researching the impacts of climate change on our world
Course producer for University of Exeter Global Systems Institute
@LTaylor1995
Who developed the course?
University of Exeter
The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university. It combines world-class research with very high levels of student satisfaction.
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