Atmosphere, Biogeosphere and Climate Change
A fundamental understanding of our environment and climate requires an intimate understanding of large-scale natural element cycles, human activity and its effect on the environment, and the way that these anthropogenic effects, in turn, impact how nature works.
This course, commonly called “ABCC”, will acquaint you with these complexities and equip you to contribute to 21st century solutions.
The topics in this course are arranged to start with natural systems, explore changes that impact the equilibrium and these systems (both natural and anthropogenic), and finally explore the extent of upcoming climate changes and what is or can be done to mitigate and/or adapt to these changes.
Topics:
- Functioning of the climate and the biogeosphere-atmosphere systems (cycles of water, carbon, etc., energy balances, and ocean and atmosphere circulation)
- Mechanisms and concepts in the Earth system (emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols, climate forcing, earth system and climate feedback, climate sensitivity)
- Natural variations in the climate (before industrialisation)
- Anthropogenic climate change: (evidence, causes, observational methodologies, and variations over space and time)
- The future of climate change over decades/centuries/millennia (scenarios for emissions and aerosols that impact climate and their effects on natural cycles, ecosystem services and humanity)
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation (international efforts such as the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) and efforts in the private and civil sectors)
-
Course structure
Teaching format
Instruction takes the form of lectures, seminars in which the students play an active role (e.g. literature review and discussions), and a field excursion. Participation in seminars, the field excursion, and related activities is compulsory.
Assessment
Assessment takes place through a written exam, active participation in seminars and written assignments.
Your rights and responsibilities
-
Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Han Dolman (2019) Biogeochemical Cycles and Climate, ISBN: 9780198779308, Oxford Univ Press, 272 pages.
Latest IPCC reports. https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/
-
Course reports
-
More information
Compulsory core course for the M.Sc. program in Environmental Science – Atmosphere-Biogeochemistry – Climate Change (ABC), but is also offered as a separate course.
-
Contact
Study counsellor
Course coordinator
Örjan Gustafsson, orjan.gustafsson@aces.su.se
Department of Environmental Science
