Predicting Climate Change - OLLI Fall 2013 Class Schedule

Instructor - Bill Fintel

In this 5 week class we will try to develop a clearer picture of the key elements of climate change, and we will explore possible future scenarios to get a better perspective of what our children and grandchildren may inherit. Class participation is encouraged, and time will be made available for class members to express their views.

Oct 23 – Recent Global Climate Data - In this first class we will review climate change indicators published by NASA, NOAA and others. This data will include surface temperature, sea level, arctic sea ice extent, ocean heat content, and more. Links to these sources can be found at: http://climate.nasa.gov/key_indicators and http://www.climate.gov/maps-data

Oct 30 – Sea Level Rise and Delaware - As we all realize, much of Delaware is not far above present sea level, and even in the recent past, large coastal storms have caused extensive and major damage. What can Delaware expect in the future? What are Delawareans doing, and what else should we be doing?

Nov 6 – Arctic and Antarctic Changes - Warming in the Arctic is proceeding much more rapidly than at temperate latitudes. Arctic sea ice extent is steadily decreasing year after year. Greenland glaciers are melting. Permafrost is melting. What are the global implications of these and other polar changes?

Nov 13 – Climate Feedback Loops - Climate feedback loops hold the unfortunate potential to accelerate climate change by amplifying a small change via a positive feedback mechanism. We will explore effects such as the release of methane due to melting permafrost, and a decrease in solar radiation being reflected back into space because of melting polar ice caps.

Nov 20 – Rays of Hope and Conundrums - What are some of the recent developments that give rise to hope for climate stabilization? What is the Majuro declaration? Will humans and other species be able to adapt to the inevitable remaining climate changes? Are Walmart’s efforts to use renewable energy significant or just show? How do we explain things like continuing fossil fuel subsidies, or solar panels getting cheaper and cheaper, but seemingly becoming harder and harder to justify financially?