The Science of Global Change - Earth System Science - seeks to understand the interaction between the different components of the Earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, cryosphere, biosphere) and the exchange of energy, momentum, water, carbon and other constituents between these components over a range of spatial and temporal scales. Earth System Science focuses on understanding what controls climate and other natural systems and maintains them in a state of equilibrium through actions of various forcings and feedbacks. It investigates the temporal evolution of the heterogeneous dynamic, uncertain and often chaotic climate system under both external and internal forcings. Earth System Science is concerned with phenomena and interactions that are difficult to isolate and quantify without a considerable level of uncertainty. Earth System Science is a broad and rapidly evolving field with new results frequently being brought to light or new way of investigating the system being proposed.

Professor: Catherine Gautier (gautier@geog.ucsb.edu)