Part I: Assessment of How Class Contributed to Personal Understanding of Global Warming

1. How has this class added to your own personal understanding of global climate change? Please be specific concerning:

    what you have learned about global warming

    what aspects of global warming may be uncertain to you

    what other aspects of global warming you would like to see this class address.

I know and believe that global warming is occurring, but after taking this class I am not 100% sure that the effects are from anthropogenic causes. This class has taught me to look into some of the techniques concerning data collecting in more detail, and from what I learned these are not very convincing. I also saw that there was a greater GWP for methane than CO2 yet this has largely not been as big of a topic in real world meetings, not to mention some of the other non-CO2 gases, which have been getting little attention. I think we are putting all of our eggs in one basket and our goals may not be reached (this being what I learned about the real world not what actually happened in our summit).

After taking this class, I feel like my knowledge of global climate change phenomena has increased considerably. Before the class started I felt that I had a very good grasp of the global warming situation, and although there was plenty to learn that was new, what this class really did was put global warming in perspective both in my daily life and on a planetary scale. The most intriguing information that this class presented regarded the effects and properties of other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide. It would have been interesting to have gone into more detail about GCM's but the structure of the class probably would not have permitted it.

This class has furthered my knowledge of global warming quite a bit. I had an understanding of global warming when I entered the course because I have take Geography 3A and 3B. However this class provided insights into how the whole notion of global warming can be argued, and not necessarily caused from a single source. I honestly cannot think of any other things that needed to be added concerning the issue of global warming.

I came into this class with a basic understanding of climate change. Having taken Geography 3A, oceanic and atmospheric geography, I knew the mechanisms of global warming including the main gasses, the anthropocentric forces behind it, and its potential to offset all of earth's systems. However, in this class the sources and sinks for all of the main greenhouse gasses became relevant along with each gas' capacity for warming and its abundance in the atmosphere. The scientific understanding of global warming was well covered in the course.

This class has added to my personal understanding of global climate change because I had very little knowledge prior to this class. I have learned many thing about global warming like what cause it- anthropogenic and natural as well as what we can still do. The aspects of global warming that may still be uncertain to me is most likely the scientific background of it. I would like to see more graphics and things in class because I think they were really good tools.
I entered this class with little scientific knowledge of the various aspects of global warming. Now, I find myself constantly considering how different daily actions affect the state of the environment (like, if I burn a candle, what's the positive radiative forcing?) In this class I have learned how to speak knowledgeably concerning global warming. I have learned how to interpret graphs showing forcing. I have learned about all the greenhouse gases (what they are, how they impact climate change, etc.) Although I learned the scientific justifications for the presence of global warming, the class hardly stopped with just that information. I also learned about the economic impacts of global warming as well as the political obstacles that are present during negotiations of climate change.

As the class was confined to three weeks, I am certain that I don't have complete knowledge as to all of the aspects of global warming. As I read the various websites, I realized that there was a lot of the science that was beyond my basic understanding. I don't know what the mathematical models signify. I also am uncertain about how to deal with emissions like methane, aerosols and other greenhouse gasses when the scientific knowledge that supports their respective radiative forcings is rather uncertain. In my opinion though, any work towards emission reductions is a good idea.

Understanding the time constraints of the class, there are other aspects of global warming to be included. As mentioned after the summit, I would have liked to learn more about alternative energy sources. Alternative energies will be important in solving this problem in the future and there was not a whole lot of emphasis upon them. Also, this class could address the corporate powers' influences upon how governments choose to limit their emissions. With today's prevalence of multinational corporations that have greater financial powers than many nations, the opinions of such corporations are highly influential. Like the role of the NGO, there should be a corporate power.

All in all, the class does a great job of providing a working understanding of global warming. As structured, the more personal effort a student puts into learning the information, the more he/she will take from the class. The information I learned in class was only a part of what I learned about global warming. The textbook and the internet proved to be valuable sources.

I have learned a great deal about global warming. In previous classes, most of the emphasis was on carbon dioxide, but in 135 I learned that there are many other factors in the global warming equation. There still is the big question of uncertainties in the data the data collected. Many are still nonbelievers and will continue to be until there is substantial evidence. I feel the right amount of material is covered. If more aspects were included then it seems like the main points would be belittled.

What you have learned about global warming?
I have learned that the global warming is caused mainly by the anthropogenic causes. All the gas that man has produced into the atmosphere is imbalancing the climate. This green house gases are staying in the atmosphere and stopping longwave radiation from leaving the earth thus causing the rise in global temperature.

What aspects of global warming may be uncertain to you?
There seems to be some uncertainty in the data collected for gases other tan CO2 such as methane, NO2 and SO2. I think their needs to be more research into these other gases in order to come up with some solid solution.

What other aspects of global warming you would like to see this class address?
I feel that we did not really address the effect that low-lying countries and islands would have to deal with in depth. We spent very much time to try to come up with a treaty, which US might buy.


What you have learned about global warming?
Throughout the course, I gained a accumulated and thorough knowledge of global warming and the adverse effects thereof. I learned specifically about the five main gases, but also about the other non-C02 gases that contribute as well. Although I focused more on the effects, I still learned a lot about the scientific aspect of global warming.

What aspects of global warming may be uncertain to you?
The part that seemed the most unclear to me was how the gases affected the ozone layer and how the ozone layer affects us. I got the general idea, but more details would have been more helpful.

What other aspects of global warming you would like to see this class address?
I would like to see a stronger approach to the introduction to the topic. Although I gained a lot of information form online sources, a clear and well-presented overview of the subject would have helped out. It would also be good to have the class focus in more on the economic approach to global warming because in the real world, that is what we have to focus on too.


This class has given me a great understanding of global climate change. Before this class, my level of understanding was vague. Today, after completing this class, I recognize the major contributions to global warming, greenhouse gases, and emissions. I feel that I understand the major components of global warming and the basics to recognize the damages done by everyday life. The details involving gasses and their life span in the atmosphere is unclear, this is a necessary component of global warming that should be addressed. More information on the depletion of the ozone layer and the hole! These are interesting real-life facts that should be addressed.