Aerosols, Clouds and Climate
Aerosols and clouds represent the greatest uncertainty in our understanding of climate change. This course gives you a deeper understanding of the influence of aerosols and clouds on the climate, from small-scale processes to global climate models.
This course deals with the sources, sinks, and transformations of both natural and man-made aerosol particles. Another key part of the course is to understand the interaction between radiation and aerosols and clouds. You will learn about basic structure and functions of the atmosphere, including its exchange with the earth surface, and the general circulation of the atmosphere. Furthermore, the course explores atmospheric models, from the local scale up to the large GCMs.
Understanding of the uncertainty of climate predictions, especially in relation to changes in aerosols and clouds, are an important part of the course. The course also covers experimental measurements that can match the spatial scale of global model data (satellite observations and networks of measurement stations), the construction of emission scenarios and global emission data bases.
We will look at how IPCC works and the role of science in climate-political negotiations for future emission reductions. We will also cover various proposed so called “geo-engineering” methods involving aerosols and supposed to cool the climate and discuss their risks and disadvantages.
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Course structure
Teaching format
Instruction consists of lectures, seminars, exercises, field trips and laboratory work. Participation in laboratory work, field trips, and seminars and any associated integrated instruction is compulsory.
Assessment
The course is examined as follows: Knowledge assessment takes the form of written exam, seminars, and written assignments.
Rights and responsibilities
Your rights and responsibilities as a student
Examiner
Douglas Nilsson, Douglas.Nilsson@aces.su.se
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Contact
Study counsellors
Department of Environmental Science
Course coordinatorDouglas Nilsson, Douglas.Nilsson@aces.su.se
Department of Environmental Science, Unit Atmospheric Science
