In coordination with ENV 201, which is being taught fall semester, we have chosen to focus each of the courses on four current environmental topics. For each topic, we will establish the basic principles involved, including the scientific or technical background. We will develop the political and the ethical dilemmas of the issue, and consider the questions of environmental justice and remediation. Previous enrollment in ENV 201 is not necessary, because each course covers its four topics independently. The four focus areas for ENV 202 are described below, followed by a few words on the mechanics of the course.
Earth is the only planet in the solar system that has a climate compatible with human existence.
That climate has varied over geological time and may be in the midst of a major climate change episode right now. We will discuss the global forces that control climate, investigate records and rates of past climate change, and learn about models being developed to predict future climate change. The earth maintains a habitable climate largely by virtue of its atmosphere. We will consider the structure of the atmosphere and the transport and fate of several different kinds of pollutants in the air. Many of humankind s greatest advances have been accompanied by equally great environmental impacts, such that natural ecosystems no longer exist in many parts of the world.