Weather vs. climate; the atmosphere; radiation; energy balance; temperature; atmospheric pressure and winds; atmospheric moisture and clouds; condensation and precipitation; atmospheric circulation and pressure distributions; air masses and frontal systems; mid-latitude cyclones, thunder and tornadoes; tropical storms and hurricanes; weather patterns; weather forecasting and analysis; meteorological remote sensing; Earth's climate system; climate classification; hydroclimatology; instrument-based climate records; proxy-based reconstruction of past climates; principles of climate modeling; climate model projections; history of climate change research; international negotiations on carbon emissions; climate change mitigation and adaptation.
This course builds on knowledge gained in GEOG 1232 and is intended to provide a good level of understanding of meteorology, the functioning of the atmosphere and how weather is generated, how weather is related to climate and climate change. The course builds from a theoretical framework of the functioning atmosphere and the generation of weather systems through to a look at climate change from a political standpoint. Students will gain a good understanding of the theoretical background to contemporary climate change, the potential impact of climate change projections on society and be able to contribute to the climate change debate.
The course introduces students to the theory and physical principles of meteorology and climatology, the atmosphere and atmospheric processes, weather and weather analysis, weather maps and forecasting, extreme weather, patterns and characteristics of the Earth's climate and climatic change. The course concludes with a discussion of the politics surrounding climate change, its mitigation and adaptation.
The University of the West Indies
St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: (868) 662-2002
Fax: (868) 663-9684
Department of Geography
Faculty of Food and Agriculture
UWI St. Augustine
Tel: (868) 662-2002 Ext. 84129
