Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation, Policy

An exploration of the potential consequences of human-induced climate change and their implications for policy responses, focusing on risks to people, societies, and ecosystems. As two examples: we examine the risk to coastal cities from sea level rise and extreme heat, the scientific bases for these assessments, and measures being planned and implemented to enable adaptation. In addition, we explore local, national and international policy initiatives to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The course assumes students have a basic background in the causes of human-induced climate change and the physical science of the climate system.