University of Glasgow - Understanding and Measuring the Earth's Energy Imbalance
- Offered byFutureLearn
Understanding and Measuring the Earth's Energy Imbalance at FutureLearn Overview
Duration | 4 weeks |
Total fee | ₹2,763 |
Mode of learning | Online |
Official Website | Go to Website  |
Credential | Certificate |
Understanding and Measuring the Earth's Energy Imbalance at FutureLearn Highlights
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Understanding and Measuring the Earth's Energy Imbalance at FutureLearn Course details
- Energy imbalance is the difference in the amount of energy arriving on Earth from the sun and the amount returning to space. For decades, our escalating use of greenhouse gases has been pushing the Earth out of balance.
- On this four-week course from the University of Glasgow, you’ll learn what energy imbalance is, how we could tackle it, and why it has become a vital metric for monitoring progress towards net zero.
- Researchers have shown that the Earth’s energy imbalance has almost doubled in recent years. If this trend continues, we can expect to see an even higher rise in global temperatures than previously predicted.
- You’ll start by delving into the science behind energy imbalance, exploring how it connects to global climate change.
- Once you’ve understood the causes of energy imbalance, you can begin to examine solutions.
- In the second week of the course, you’ll think critically about what is needed to bring the Earth back to balance, and discover ways that the planet could get there naturally.
- In the final week of the course, you’ll investigate why the Earth’s energy imbalance has become an important metric for monitoring our progress towards net zero.
- You’ll be challenged to reflect on the best indicators for measuring success in our fight to beat the climate crisis.
Understanding and Measuring the Earth's Energy Imbalance at FutureLearn Curriculum
How does the Earth store heat and respond to continued warming?
Welcome
Understanding Greenhouse Gases and Warming
What do we mean by balance?
Where does the excess heat go?
What does it mean for the Earth to be out of balance?
Temperature Response to Greenhouse Gases
Stabilising to Current Conditions
Net zero emissions as a target
Sustainability
Can Earth's natural processes help toward decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Feedbacks in the Earth System
Can plants save the planet?
Offsetting - A solution that's hindering or helping?
What is needed to bring the Earth back into balance?
What do we need to achieve?
Technology to the rescue?
Can behaviour change make a difference?
A whole systems approach
Course conclusion
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Student Forum
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