Global Climate Change: The past, present & future

Module description

This module will review the nature and processes of terrestrial environmental changes, focusing on those related to the carbon cycle, and to Earth’s landcover and landuse. By covering variability and change in these areas of the Earth system and they are assessed, both in relation to natural variabilities and anthropogenic influences, the module will provide the scientific background necessary to better understand the causes and consequences of environmental changes in isolation and as a whole, whether they be paleo-environmental changes, studies of the contemporary environment, or future projections.

Assessment details

Coursework

Essay (50%) ; Policy Briefing (50%) 

Educational aims & objectives

· To review the nature and drivers of global climate change over geological timescales, present day dynamics and potential future scenarios;

· To explore different parts of the climate system – atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere, terrestrial environments – in isolation and as a whole as well as interactions between climate and culture;

· To examine how we use palaeoclimate data and climate models to evaluate future scenarios of climate change and the uncertainties in climate data;

· To review the status of current and future energy provision in the UK and globally alongside different approaches to mitigation and what is needed to meet Paris agreement

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students should have a thorough understanding of the key factors affecting past and current climate change as well as future scenarios and associated uncertainty. The module will review the nature and drivers of global climate across multiple temporal and spatial scales. By covering variability and change within different parts of the Earth System and the respective influence of natural variability and anthropogenic activity, the module will provide the scientific background necessary to better understand the causes and consequences of global climate change in isolation and as a whole

Teaching pattern

20 hours lectures & practical classes

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.