Lecture 1: IntroductionLecture 1: Introduction

I will introduce:I will introduce:

1.1. MeMe

2.2. The courseThe course

3.3. The bookThe book

4.4. Chapter 1Chapter 1

Who Am I?

Name: Zong-Liang YANGAssociate Professor

Education: BSc and MSc in MeteorologyPhD in Atmospheric Science

Research: Modeling Global Climate and HydrologyBiosphere-Atmosphere InteractionGlobal Change, MonsoonFlood Modeling, Air Pollution

Teach: Living with a Planet, Earth, Wind and FirePhysical Climatology Climate: Past, Present and Future

Office: GEO 5.220DAHours: WF 4-5pm or by AppointmentPhone: 471-3824Email: liang@mail.utexas.edu

My Personal Biography

Tucson: 8 years

Austin: 1 week

GEO 302C Climate: Past, Present and Future

• Textbook: Ruddiman, 2001. Earth’s Climate: Past and Future 19 chapters

• Course website http://www.geo.utexas.edu/courses/302C• Click Schedules for lists of lecture topics and reading assignments

• Three mid-term exams, 25% each, with the lowest grade dropped• Up to 10 labs, a total of 25% (TAs: Lindsey Gulden, Lacki Lynch)• Final exam, 25%. • All add up to 100%.

• No makeup exam.• Attendance will be counted for each class and lab.• Extra credit opportunities.

• Blackboard http://courses.utexas.edu; “login” with your UTEID. From there select “S06 climate: past, present, future”

Chapter 1: Overview of Climate ScienceChapter 1: Overview of Climate Science

We will discuss:We will discuss:

1.1. What are the components of Earth’s climate What are the components of Earth’s climate system?system?

2.2. How does climate change differ from day-to-How does climate change differ from day-to-day weather? day weather?

3.3. What factors drive changes in Earth’s climate?What factors drive changes in Earth’s climate?

4.4. How does the climate system work?How does the climate system work?

Chapter 1: Overview of Climate ScienceChapter 1: Overview of Climate Science

This lecture discusses:This lecture discusses:

1.1. What are the components of Earth’s climate What are the components of Earth’s climate system?system?

2.2. How does climate change differ from day-How does climate change differ from day-to-day weather? to-day weather?

3.3. What factors drive changes in Earth’s What factors drive changes in Earth’s climate?climate?

The Habitable EarthThe Habitable EarthThe earth is the only habitable planet in our solar system.The earth is the only habitable planet in our solar system.

Oceans: 70% of the surfaceOceans: 70% of the surfaceLand: 30%Land: 30%

Earth’s climate is favorable to life.Earth’s climate is favorable to life.

In the era of population explosion, climate change is In the era of population explosion, climate change is critical to human life. critical to human life.

Weather versus Climate

Short-term (and large) fluctuations that arise from internal instabilities of the atmosphere

Occurs as a wide variety of phenomena that we often experience

Effects are immediately felt

Social and economic impacts are great but are usually localized

Many such phenomena occur as part of larger-scale organized systems

Governed by non-linear chaotic dynamics; not predictable deterministically beyond a week or two

The condition of atmosphere at a given time and placeWeather

Temperature ScalesTemperature Scales

Fahrenheit: USAFahrenheit: USACelsius: most other countriesCelsius: most other countriesKelvin: scientific calculationsKelvin: scientific calculations

Temperature at the Earth’s Temperature at the Earth’s surface varies just above or below surface varies just above or below the freezing point of water.the freezing point of water.

Globally averaged surface Globally averaged surface temperature = 59temperature = 59°°F (15F (15°°C)C)

Surface Weather MapSurface Weather Map

Meteorologists generate Meteorologists generate diagrams of observed diagrams of observed weather from ground-weather from ground-based instruments.based instruments.

This surface map This surface map overlaps in time with the overlaps in time with the above satellite image.above satellite image.

Meteorologists may study larger weather Meteorologists may study larger weather patterns with space borne instruments, patterns with space borne instruments, while ground-based tools often measure while ground-based tools often measure a) a) air temperature b) air pressure c) humidity air temperature b) air pressure c) humidity d) clouds e) precipitation f) visibility g) d) clouds e) precipitation f) visibility g) windwind at at a single point.a single point.