IFCO 2600 - Ocean and the Earth Climate - Understanding the Opportunities and Challenges of Scientific Knowledge

The Earth is the only known planet that hosts water in its three states (liquid, gas and solid) and in particular in liquid form in the ocean. Due to the high heat capacity of water, its radiative properties and phase changes, the ocean is largely responsible for the mildness of our planet's climate and for precipitation on lands, necessary for developing and sustaining life. The ocean contains more than 90% of the Earth's water, covers 71% of its surface, and acts as a thermostat, exchanging energy and gases with the atmosphere and driving weather as well as climate. The ocean is therefore the key element of the climate system since it mitigates the ongoing changes due to human activities by absorbing almost all the excess heat (90%) and a quarter of the CO2 emissions. In this course, students will gain an integrated view of the physical and chemical processes governing the climate system, the role of the ocean in such a system, and the scientific and societal challenges associated with it.

Sabrina SPEICH,Manon BERGER,Laurent BOPP,Alban PLANCHAT

Cours magistral seul

English

1) In Class (e)Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester // 2) Online learning activities: 1 hour a week / 2 hours a semester // 3) Reading and Preparation for Class: 3 hours a week / 36 hours a semester // 4) Research and Preparation for Group Work: 3 hours a week / 36 hours a semester // 5) Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester

None. This is an introductory course.

Spring 2022-2023

Mid-term short written exam 50% // Final group project 50%

The class will have a format of lectures, student-based work method lessons. This will provide the opportunity for students to develop un understanding of the science-based ground of climate change and its evolution, to understand its complexity, the base of operational systems (from weather and ocean prediction to climate projections) put in place to help society to manage and adapt to extreme events and climate change, to work and develop solutions. This class will also help to appreciate the current and future challenges faced by the ocean and related societal benefits, the ocean being the climate system experiencing the highest climate-change pressure, hosting a rich biodiversity, being source of food for 40% of the Earth population who lives near a coast, being also an important source of local income in relation with various economical services the ocean provides.