Details for Today: DATE:30 th September 2004 BY:Mark Cresswell FOLLOWED BY:Reading Introduction 69EG3137 – Impacts & Models of Climate Change

Lecture Topics Unit background Climate modelling Impacts Structure of the Unit Reading and resources Field trip Major climate components

Unit background Why study climate change? –To be forewarned is to be prepared –Policy decisions and mitigation –Science How is climate change studied? –Historical analysis and observations –Climate models Who does climate research? Employment opportunities

Climate Modelling #1 What is a Model ?

Climate Modelling #2 What are the limitations ?

Climate Modelling #2

Impacts Impacts are the effects of climate change felt by the human population

Structure of the Unit Natural & human sources of climate change Basic modelling Feeding models (assimilation) Statistical and dynamical models Limitations and assessment of skill Impacts Practicals, seminars and fieldwork

Structure of the Unit During the entire course you will be expected to complete FIVE lab practicals. For those weeks that have LAB based practicals, these will be held in E409. The dates are: W/B 11th October 2004 W/B 15th November 2004 W/B 22nd November 2004 W/B 10th January 2005 W/B 7th March 2005 Note: W/B means Week Beginning and not the actual date of the slot

Reading and Resources Reading list Books Journals The internet University sites BBC News Government sites EG3137 Intranet Site Resource room Copies of key papers Reading lists News EG3137/index.html

Reading and Resources

Please check the site often

Major Climate Components The OCEANS Moderates climate Stores energy Key component for impacts The ATMOSPHERE Scene of turbulence and short timescale change Key component for impacts The LAND Location of energy exchange Site of action of impacts (weathering, storms etc.) The SUN Source of external energy