This course examines the mechanisms and consequences of global climate change across Earth’s system. It considers climate variability over geological time alongside the rapid changes associated with human activity in the past few centuries, with attention to the physical and chemical processes that govern the climate system. The course also addresses interactions between climate and ecosystems, and the implications of these changes for both natural systems and human society. Emphasis is placed on how scientific understanding is developed, including the use of observational data and climate models to evaluate evidence, quantify uncertainty, and assess competing explanations. 

Laboratory components introduce the analysis of real climate data, the use of simple modeling approaches, and reproducible research practices, providing a foundation for interpreting ongoing changes and their broader impacts.

This introductory course provides a foundation for understanding climate change within the Earth system. It introduces the basic drivers of climate, natural variability over time, and the more recent changes linked to human activity. The course emphasizes core processes in the atmosphere, oceans, and land surface, and how these components interact to shape climate patterns. The course also explores how climate change affects ecosystems and human society, with attention to both impacts and responses. Students are introduced to how scientific knowledge is built, including the use of observations and models to evaluate evidence and understand uncertainty.