GHY Global Climate Change MWF 11:00 – 11:50 AM 293 Rankin Science West Professor: L. Baker Perry, Ph.D.

Introduction to Course Introductions Introductions Course Logistics Course Logistics Is Climate Changing? Is Climate Changing? Weather vs. Climate Weather vs. Climate Historical Perspective of Climate Historical Perspective of Climate For Next Class: Read Chapter 2 and FAQ 2.1. Labs WILL NOT meet this week!

Introductions Find out the following information from a partner: Find out the following information from a partner: NAMENAME POINT(S) OF ORIGINPOINT(S) OF ORIGIN MAJOR (or projected major)MAJOR (or projected major) INTERESTING PLACES VISITEDINTERESTING PLACES VISITED FAVORITE SEASON OR CLIMATE ZONEFAVORITE SEASON OR CLIMATE ZONE TALENTS OR HOBBIESTALENTS OR HOBBIES

Course Logistics Please read the course syllabus in detail and let me know if you have any questions! Please read the course syllabus in detail and let me know if you have any questions! Office hours are MWF 11-12, 2-4 PM, or by appointment Office hours are MWF 11-12, 2-4 PM, or by appointment Textbook is Climate Studies: Introduction to Climate Science and is available at the bookstore. Textbook is Climate Studies: Introduction to Climate Science and is available at the bookstore. Other readings will be available on AsUlearn. Other readings will be available on AsUlearn. Readings are expected to be completed before coming to class! Readings are expected to be completed before coming to class!

Course Policies Attendance: Course attendance is expected and will be taken on a routine basis. Two absences are allowed without penalty; each additional absence results in a 2.5-point deduction from your attendance grade. Annotated Bibliography: The annotated bibliography will consist of a summary of five refereed publications that address one of the global climate change themes or issues discussed during the semester. Additional information will be provided at a later date. Completed annotated bibliographies are due on November 13. Exams: Make up exams will only be given due to a verifiable emergency. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the faculty member within 24 hours of the scheduled exam to request a makeup. Otherwise, the student will receive an automatic zero. Final Exam: The final exam is cumulative and is scheduled for December 11. All students will take the final at this time.

Statement of Student Engagement In its mission statement, Appalachian State University aims at “providing undergraduate students a rigorous liberal education that emphasizes transferable skills and preparation for professional careers” as well as “maintaining a faculty whose members serve as excellent teachers and scholarly mentors for their students.” Such rigor means that the foremost activity of Appalachian students is an intense engagement with their courses. In practical terms, students should expect to spend two to three hours of studying for every hour of class time. Hence, a fifteen hour academic load might reasonably require between 30 and 45 hours per week of out-of-class work.

Global Climate Change Is the climate changing? On what evidence? Is the climate changing? On what evidence?

Overview of Observed Change Indicators IPCC 2013

Climate Science Highly interdisciplinary field drawing on expertise from: Highly interdisciplinary field drawing on expertise from: MeteorologyMeteorology ClimatologyClimatology ChemistryChemistry PhysicsPhysics Biology/EcologyBiology/Ecology Remote sensing and computer scienceRemote sensing and computer science EconomicsEconomics

Main Drivers of Climate Change IPCC 2013

What is the difference between Weather and Climate?

Weather: State of the atmosphere over the short term (minutes to ~15 days). Weather: State of the atmosphere over the short term (minutes to ~15 days). Climate: Synthesis of weather conditions in a given area, characterized by long-term statistics (mean values, variances, probabilities of extreme values, etc.) of the meteorological elements in that area. Climate: Synthesis of weather conditions in a given area, characterized by long-term statistics (mean values, variances, probabilities of extreme values, etc.) of the meteorological elements in that area. Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get!

What is the difference between Climate Variability and Climate Change? Climate Variability: deviations of climate statistics over a given period of time (e.g., specific month, season or year) from the long-term climate statistics relating to the corresponding calendar period. Climate Variability: deviations of climate statistics over a given period of time (e.g., specific month, season or year) from the long-term climate statistics relating to the corresponding calendar period. Climate Change: a significant change (e.g., having important economic, environmental and social effects) in the mean values of a meteorological element (e.g., temperature or precipitation) in the course of a certain period of time, where the means are taken over periods of the order of a decade or longer. Climate Change: a significant change (e.g., having important economic, environmental and social effects) in the mean values of a meteorological element (e.g., temperature or precipitation) in the course of a certain period of time, where the means are taken over periods of the order of a decade or longer. Source: National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)

© AMS16 Defining Climate The Climatic Norm The Climatic Norm Encompasses the total variation in the climate record, that is, both averages plus extremesEncompasses the total variation in the climate record, that is, both averages plus extremes

© AMS17 Defining Climate Historical Perspectives Historical Perspectives First North American systematic weather observations made in at Old Swedes Fort (now Wilmington, DE)First North American systematic weather observations made in at Old Swedes Fort (now Wilmington, DE) U.S. Surgeon General James Tilton issued an order 2 May 1814 to begin the establishment of a national network of weather and climate observing stationsU.S. Surgeon General James Tilton issued an order 2 May 1814 to begin the establishment of a national network of weather and climate observing stations National network of volunteer observers who mailed monthly weather reports to the Smithsonian was established in the mid-1800sNational network of volunteer observers who mailed monthly weather reports to the Smithsonian was established in the mid-1800s

© AMS18 Defining Climate Historical Perspectives Historical Perspectives Congress funded national storm-warning network in 1872Congress funded national storm-warning network in 1872 Transferred to civilian hands as U.S. Weather Bureau in 1891 Transferred to civilian hands as U.S. Weather Bureau in 1891 Weather Bureau reorganized into National Weather Service in 1965Weather Bureau reorganized into National Weather Service in National Weather Service Forecast Offices exist today122 National Weather Service Forecast Offices exist today

© AMS19 Defining Climate Historical Perspectives Historical Perspectives At present,At present, 840 automated weather stations operated by NWS and FAA 840 automated weather stations operated by NWS and FAA 11,700 cooperative weather stations 11,700 cooperative weather stations

© AMS20 The Climate System System: entity whose components interact in an orderly manner according to the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology System: entity whose components interact in an orderly manner according to the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology Earth’s Climate Systemdefined as the totality of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere and their interactions Earth’s Climate System: defined as the totality of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere and their interactions

© AMS21 The Climate System Atmosphere Atmosphere Relatively thin envelope of gases and tiny suspended particles surrounding the planetRelatively thin envelope of gases and tiny suspended particles surrounding the planet Divided into four layers:Divided into four layers: Troposphere Troposphere Stratosphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere Thermosphere