1 - 10 of 94 results for: EESS

The evolution of Earth's systems from formation to the present. Couplings and relationships among biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Topics include the evolution of life, origin of the oceans, atmosphere and continents, and changes in climate. Modern climate change and anthropogenic effects.

For non-majors and majors in earth science or environmental science. Students will learn about the major ocean ecosystems and how they function both naturally and under the influence of human activities. Emphasis will be placed on the dominant organisms of each ecosystem and how they interact with each other and their physical and chemical environment. The types of ecosystems discussed will include coral reefs, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, coastal upwelling systems, blue-water oceans, estuaries, near-shore dead zones, etc. The course will incorporate a mix of lectures, multi-media presentations, and group activities.

This course aims to understand the environmental and human rights implications of our modern globalized food system-from farm, to factory, to international commerce, and finally, to fork. Focus will be on the labor and environmental conditions of industrial agriculture, working conditions and environmental consequences of processing factories, the implications of international food commerce, the modern obesity crisis, and emerging solutions that aim to correct these problems.

The ecologically and geologically diverse Rocky Mountain area is being strongly impacted by changing land use patterns, global and regional environmental change, and societal demands for energy and natural resources. This field program emphasizes coupled environmental and geological problems in the Rocky Mountains, covering a broad range of topics including the geologic origin of the American West from three billion years ago to the present; paleoclimatology and the glacial history of this mountainous region; the long- and short-term carbon cycle and global climate change; and environmental issues in the American West related to changing land-use patterns and increased demand for its abundant natural resources. These broad topics are integrated into a coherent field-study as we examine earth/ environmental science-related questions in three different settings: 1) the three-billion-year-old rocks and the modern glaciers of the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming; 2) the sediments in the adjacent Wind River basin that host abundant gas and oil reserves and also contain the long-term climate history of this region; and 3) the volcanic center of Yellowstone National Park and the mountainous region of Teton National Park, and the economic and environmental problems associated with gold mining and extraction of oil and gas in areas adjoining these national parks. Students will complete six assignments based upon field exercises, working in small groups to analyze data and prepare reports and maps. Lectures will be held in the field prior to and after fieldwork. Note: This course involves one week of backpacking in the Wind Rivers and hiking while staying in cabins near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Students must arrive in Salt Lake City on Monday, September 3. (Hotel lodging will be provided for the night of September 3, and thereafter students will travel as a Sophomore College group.) We will return to campus on Friday, September 21.

Preference to freshmen. How quantitative understanding of the Earth helps inform decisions about energy supply. How can enough energy be provided to support future growth and development throughout the world without damaging the natural environment? Focus is on simple quantitative observations and calculations that facilitate evaluation of potential solutions to this problem; algebra only, no calculus.

Preference to freshmen. The isolation of polar explorers under the harshest conditions on Earth, and the chronicles of their explorations and hardships dating to the 1500s for the Arctic and the 1700s for the Antarctic. Focus is on scientific and geographic achievements. Sources include The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard who in 1911 participated in a midwinter Antarctic sledging trip to recover emperor penguin eggs. Class jointly authors essay on themes from such literature. Optional field trip into the high Sierra in December. (Dunbar)

Preference to freshmen. Changes in the long- and short-term carbon cycle and global climate through the burning of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution. How people can shrink their carbon footprints. Long-term sources and sinks of carbon and how they are controlled by tectonics and short-term sources and sinks and the interaction between the biosphere and ocean. How people can shrink their carbon footprints. Held at the Stanford Community Farm.

Preference to freshman. Focus is on the complex climate challenges posed by the substantial benefits of energy consumption, including the critical tension between the enormous global demand for increased human well-being and the negative climate consequences of large-scale emissions of carbon dioxide. Topics include: Earth¿s energy balance; detection and attribution of climate change; the climate response to enhanced greenhouse forcing; impacts of climate change on natural and human systems; and proposed methods for curbing further climate change. Sources include peer-reviewed scientific papers, current research results, and portrayal of scientific findings by the mass media and social networks.

Further discussion of the complex climate challenges posed by the substantial benefits of energy consumption, including the critical tension between the enormous global demand for increased human well-being and the negative climate consequences of large-scale emissions of carbon dioxide. Discussions will explore topics of student interest, including peer-reviewed scientific papers, current research results, and portrayal of scientific findings by the mass media and social networks. Focus will also be placed on student engagement in on-campus and off-campus activities. Grading is Ltr-CR/NC. Prerequisite: EESS/EARTHSYS 42 or consent of instructor.