The issue of global warming is discussed. Recent climate change over the last half of the 20th century is thought to be driven largely by greenhouse gas emissions, with carbon dioxide playing a large role. The carbon cycle describes the reservoirs of carbon (atmosphere, terrestrial biomass and ocean) and the exchanges that occur between these reservoirs. Inputs of carbon to the atmosphere include burning of fossil fuels and respiration from biomass. Vegetation also removes carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, and a similar uptake of carbon from the atmosphere occurs in the ocean through biological processes. Residence time for carbon in the atmosphere can be computed and is estimated to be a few hundred years. Atmospheric carbon dioxide has been measured directly since the 1950s, and longer records exist over geologic time from ice core data.

1. Introduction to Atmospheres
2. Retaining an Atmosphere
3. The Perfect Gas Law
4. Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere; Residence Time
5. Earth Systems Analysis (Tank Experiment)
6. Greenhouse Effect, Habitability
7. Hydrostatic Balance
8. Horizontal Transport
9. Water in the Atmosphere I
10. Water in the Atmosphere II
11. Clouds and Precipitation (Cloud Chamber Experiment)
12. Circulation of the Atmosphere (Exam I review)
13. Global Climate and the Coriolis Force
14. Coriolis Force and Storms
15. Convective Storms
16. Frontal Cyclones
17. Seasons and Climate
18. Seasons and Climate Classification
19. Ocean Bathymetry and Water Properties
20. Ocean Bathymetry and Water Properties
21. Ocean Water Density and Atmospheric Forcing
22. Ocean Currents
23. Ocean Currents and Productivity
24. El Niño
25. Ice in the Climate System
26. Ice and Climate Change
27. Isotope Evidence for Climate Change
28. Global Warming
29. Global Warming II
30. Global Warming III
31. Climate Sensitivity and Human Population
32. The Two Ozone Problems
33. The Ozone Layer
34. Energy Resources, Renewable Energy
35. Renewable Energy
36. Review and Overview
37. Lab - Quinnipiac River Field Trip

This course explores the physical processes that control Earth's atmosphere, ocean, and climate. Quantitative methods for constructing mass and energy budgets. Topics include clouds, rain, severe storms, regional climate, the ozone layer, air pollution, ocean currents and productivity, the seasons, El Niño, the history of Earth's climate, global warming, energy, and water resources.