Introduction

1. Introduction Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

2. Course Objectives • To better understand some of the mechanisms that have been involved in climate changes in the distant past (i.e., paleoclimates). • To explore the scientific process in which hypotheses to explain past behavior of the climate system are proposed and tested. • To develop the ability to critically examine the content of scientific papers. • To enhance scientific communication skills. Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

3. Topics To Be Covered • How are periodic fluctuations in Earth’s climate related to slow changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit? • How sensitive is Earth’s climate to radiative forcing? • Did changes in the ocean’s overturning circulation cause millennial-scale climate variability? • Was tropical Pacific climate variability (e. g., El Niño) different in Earth’s past? Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

4. Format • Each topic will be introduced by two lectures to provide background information on that topic. • Four readings from the scientific literature will be assigned on each topic. • Each of these papers will be discussed in class (one paper per class meeting), with one student summarizing the paper and leading the discussion. • Students will complete a final project, which will include a written report and oral presentation. Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

5. Grading Class participation (60%) Discussion leader: 30% Open discussion: 30% Final Project (40%) Written report: 30% Oral presentation: 10% Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

6. Papers To Be Read • The assigned readings are listed on the course web page: http://www.envsci.rutgers.edu/~broccoli/mech_past_clim_chg.htm Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

7. Finding Scientific Papers • Most of the papers to be discussed are available online through the Electronic Journals web page maintained by the Rutgers University Libraries. • Not all journals are available electronically through the Rutgers system; AGU journals are among those not available. • AGU members can access papers from AGU journals published prior to the current year via AGU web site. • In a small number of cases, you may have to resort to using the library the old-fashioned way. (Sorry!) Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

8. How To Read A Scientific Paper • Reading a scientific paper can be very different from reading a novel or a newspaper. • The content can be much more dense (jargon, technical information, mathematics, etc.). • For a full understanding, it may be necessary to refer to other publications cited in the paper. • Some papers require more than one reading to be clearly understood. Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

9. “Levels Of Engagement” • Because there are differing degrees of commitment that one can give to the process of reading a scientific paper, Simon Hunt (Oxford) describes four “levels of engagement.” Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

10. Level 1 Where? Sitting beside the coffee table How often? Daily Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

11. Level 2 Where? A quiet, comfortable armchair How often? Several times per week Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

12. Level 3 Where? At your own desk or at a desk in the library; with space for making notes. How often? Once or twice per week. Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

13. Level 4 Where? In complete privacy; no distractions. How often? At least a couple of times per month. Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

14. Other Resources: Reading Scientific Papers • The course web site provides links to other online essays about reading scientific papers. • Simon Hunt, University of Oxford, “Reading Scientific Papers” • John W. Little and Roy Parker, University of Arizona, “How To Read A Scientific Paper” • Elizabeth Willott, University of Arizona, “Reading a Scientific Paper” Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

15. Leading The Discussion • The discussion leader is responsible for introducing the paper by briefly answering the following questions: • What scientific questions are addressed by the paper? • Are any specific hypotheses proposed by the author(s)? • What methods are used? • What are the primary conclusions of the paper? Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

16. Leading The Discussion • After introducing the paper, the discussion leader should stimulate discussion by asking thought-provoking questions about the paper. • Topics of interest might include • Aspects of the paper that are hard to understand • Weaknesses of experimental methods, analysis or interpretation • Aspects of the paper that are particularly convincing • Relationships with other papers on similar topics Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

17. Final Project • Among the topics discussed in class, select a particular aspect of past climate change that interests you. • Research possible physical mechanisms that have been proposed to explain that aspect of climate change. • Prepare a written report (6-10 pages) and a brief presentation (15 minutes) that critically examines a particular physical mechanism. Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

18. Most Important Goals • To encourage you to get excited about new scientific ideas. • To have fun exploring some of the mechanisms of past climate change. Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)

19. Example • Let’s say you chose the increase of global temperature during the 20th century as your topic. • You would research the physical mechanisms that have been proposed as explanations for this warming. • You might choose to critically evaluate the possibility that human-induced increases in greenhouse gases caused the warming. Mechanisms of Past Climate Change (16:375:553)