Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/climate-change-nj
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and understanding its implications is crucial for both individuals and communities. The course ‘Climate and Climate Change in New Jersey,’ offered by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) on Coursera, provides a comprehensive overview of climate systems and the specific challenges faced by New Jersey.
This course is structured into four parts, each designed to build upon the last, allowing learners to either follow the sequence or tackle the sections in their preferred order. With an estimated completion time of just 2.5 hours, it’s a manageable commitment for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of climate science.
**Part One: Introduction**
The course kicks off with an introduction to the global climate system and New Jersey’s unique climate challenges. Dr. David Robinson, a Professor of Geography at Rutgers University and the New Jersey State Climatologist, sets the stage with an engaging video that outlines the course’s objectives. The focus on ‘sunny-day flooding’ as a key phenomenon helps ground the learning experience in a real-world context, making the information more relatable and urgent.
**Part Two: Climate Change**
In the second part, Dr. Debra Tillinger, an oceanographer, delves into the mechanisms driving climate change. Her explanations of atmospheric warming and its global variations are clear and informative. Dr. Robinson further connects these concepts to the evidence of climate change in New Jersey, emphasizing the local relevance of global issues.
**Part Three: Monitoring Our Climate and Predicting the Future**
The third section explores the complexities of climate modeling and the factors that disrupt climate stability. Dr. Tillinger’s video on feedbacks and forcings is particularly enlightening, as it helps learners understand the intricacies of climate predictions. Dr. Robinson’s insights into monitoring sea level rise in New Jersey are crucial for grasping the potential future impacts of climate change on coastal communities.
**Part Four: Impacts and Solutions**
Finally, the course wraps up with a discussion on the impacts of climate change in New Jersey and potential solutions. Dr. Robinson’s concluding remarks tie together the course content, providing a hopeful perspective on how communities can address these challenges.
Overall, ‘Climate and Climate Change in New Jersey’ is an excellent primer for anyone interested in understanding climate science and its local implications. The course is well-structured, informative, and engaging, making it suitable for both beginners and those with some prior knowledge of the subject. Plus, upon completion, participants can earn professional development hours and a Certificate of Attendance, adding value to the learning experience.
I highly recommend this course to educators, students, and anyone interested in environmental science. It not only educates but also empowers individuals to think critically about climate change and its solutions in their own communities.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/climate-change-nj