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Changing atmosphere and climate change

The following topics will be covered for an understanding of the scientific basis of the climate and its change:
1. An overview of the Earth climate system.
2. Solar and terrestrial radiation and the greenhouse effect.
3. Greenhouse gases and their natural and anthropogenic sources..
4. Changes of greenhouse gas concentrations and equations for predicting their change. .
5.Short-lived climate Pollutant/Forcers and their effects. .
6. Meteorological processes and its modulation by climate change..
7. Role of the oceans in climate and their modulation by climate change
8. Role of the cryosphere in climate and its modulation by climate change.
9. The role of land surfaces and land use in climate and their modulation by climate change..
10. Cutting-edge research on atmospheric and climate changes to predict and respond to climate change

Content/学習内容

  • General Feature of the climate system

    • Extreme events
    • History of the climate change
    • Climate system components

    Defining of the climate, overview of past and on-going climate change, and introduction of important climate components and their roles in the radiative balance are presented.

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • What’s the climate and what’s the climate change?

      Defining the ‘climate’ and, on this basis, understand how climate change can be viewed. Also understand the relationship between extreme events (abnormal weather events) and climate change.

    • Overview of past and on-going climate change with CO2 change

      Overviewing past and on-going climate change and think relation between these changes and CO2 change

    • Earth climate system and its components

      Overviewing the Earth climate system and discussing roles of its main components.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Kazuyuki KITA

      Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science, Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Earth Ground Temperature and Radiation Process

    • Earth radiation
    • Laws of radiation

    Explain the radiative process, an important process that determines surface temperature

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • 1: Solar Radiation, Earth radiation and Black body radiation

      In this chapter, “What is the radiation and How can the radiation transfer heat?”, “Plank’s radiation law” and ” Solar radiation and Earth radiation” are presented.

    • 2: Radiation Laws

      In this chapter, “The radiation laws: Wien’s displacement law, Stefan–Boltzmann law and Kirchhoff’s law of thermal radiation”, “Energy of Solar radiation and Earth radiation” and “Atmospheric absorption efficiency and emissivity” are presented.

    • 3: Framework for Regulating Global Temperature: Radiation Equilibrium

      In this chapter, “The Solar radiation and its absorption in the atmosphere”, “Earth radiation and its absorption in the atmosphere, emitting the atmospheric radiation” and “Radiative equilibrium equations” are presented.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Kazuyuki KITA

      Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Radiation Equilibrium Temperature

    • Albedo
    • Radiative equilibrium

    Explain the framework of radiative equilibrium that determines surface temperature and its elements

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • 1: Solar constant

      In this chapter, “The Solar radiation energy reaching Earth”, “Solar constant and its variability” and “Total Solar radiation energy incident on Earth” are presented.

    • 2: Earth Albedo

      In this chapter, “The surface albedo in various surface conditions”, “Average albedo and contribution by clouds” and “Change in albedo values by human activities” are presented.

    • 3: Radiation Equilibrium Temperature ~ if the atmosphere had no greenhouse gases

      In this chapter, “Earth’s Radiation equilibrium if the atmosphere is transparent (or if the atmosphere has no greenhouse gases)”, “Radiation equilibrium equation” and “Radiation equilibrium temperature derived by solving this equation” are presented.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Kazuyuki KITA

      Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Greenhouse Effect and Earth radiation budget

    • Radiation balance model
    • Sensible heat and latent heat
    • Radiation budget in the Earth surface

    Explain the greenhouse effect and the mechanism of the resulting temperature increase

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • 1: 1-layer atmosphere radiative equilibrium model

      In this chapter, “1-layer atmosphere radiative equilibrium model”, “Radiative equilibrium equations in this model” and “Increase of radiative equilibrium temperature by the greenhouse effect” are presented.

    • 2: Greenhouse effect and other effects on climate

      In this chapter, ”How Greenhouse effect increase Surface Temperature”, “Why and how the greenhouse effect raises the surface temperature” and “Climate forcing factors affecting radiative balance” are presented.

    • Earth’s radiation budget

      In this chapter, “Processes ignored in the 1-layer atmosphere”, “Sensible heat and latent heat” and “Radiation and heat budget of the earth” are presented.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Kazuyuki KITA

      Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Natural cycles of greenhouse gases

    • CH4
    • N2O
    • Carbon cycle
    • Nitrogen cycle

    Explain the major greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane, and dinitrogen monoxide and their balance of payments under natural conditions

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • 1: Carbon dioxide and carbon cycle

      In this chapter, “Evolution of atmospheric CO2 during the Earth history of 450 Myr”, “Slow and Fast carbon cycles” and “Fast carbon cycle of land vegetation and of ocean with the atmosphere” are presented.

    • 2: Natural cycles of Methane and Nitrous oxide

      In this chapter, “Natural greenhouse gases, CH4 and N2O, and their radiative forcing and global warming potential”, “Their evolution in the Earth history of 800 thousand years” and “Natural cycles of CH4 and N2O between land biosphere and atmosphere” are presented.

    • 3: Response of natural GHG cycles to climate changes

      In this chapter, “Rapid response of CO2, CH4 and N2O to temperature change” and “Feedback from response of natural cycles of CO2, CH4 and N2O” are discussed.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Kazuyuki KITA

      Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Increase of greenhouse gases and anthropogenic sources

    • CH4,
    • N2O,
    • Anthropogenic sources
    • Inventory

    Explain the increase in atmospheric concentrations of the major greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane, and dinitrogen monoxide and their anthropogenic sources

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • 1: Recent increase of CO2 and its anthropogenic sources

      In this chapter, “Increase of CO2, CH4 and N2O from 1850 to the present”, “Anthropogenic CO2 sources and their changes since 1850” and “Usage of fossil fuels” are presented.

    • 2: Recent increase of CH4 and its anthropogenic sources

      In this chapter, “Increase of CH4 since 1990 and its seasonal and latitudinal variations” and “Anthropogenic CH4 sources and their contributions” are presented.

    • 3: Recent increase of N2O and other GHGs and their anthropogenic sources

      In this chapter, “Increase of N2O from 1850 and its anthropogenic sources”, “Biogeochemical feedbacks of CO2, CH4, and N2O in the climate change” and “Human-made greenhouse gases” are presented.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Kazuyuki KITA

      Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Evaluation of increase of greenhouse gases

    • Absorption,
    • Equation of continuity

    Explain the equations and data needed to predict changes in greenhouse gases in climate models

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • 1: Equation of continuity

      In this chapter, “Equation of continuity”, “Terms in Equation of continuity” and “Solution in a simple case” are presented.

    • 2: Evaluation of GHG increase

      In this chapter, “Mass balance equation, simplified version of equation of continuity”, “Estimation of GHG increase rate with mass balance equations” and “Comparison with the observed increase rates” are presented.

    • 3: Inventories of GHGs and related gases

      In this chapter, “What is the GHG inventory”, “How to evaluate Emission factor” and “How to evaluate Activity data” are presented.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Kazuyuki KITA

      Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Short lived climate forcers and aerosols

    • Tropospheric ozone
    • Black carbon aerosol
    • Methane

    Explain what short-lived climate impact substances (SLCFs) are, why they are important, and their main sources

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • 1: Short lived climate forcers and their importance

      In this chapter, “Short-lived Climate forcer (SLCF) and short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP)”, “Radiative forcing of direct and indirect SLCFs” and “Why is the reduction of SLCF essential for the climate change mitigation?” are presented.

    • 2: Tropospheric ozone and its precursors

      In this chapter, “Tropospheric ozone and its production process”, “Ozone precursor gases (indirect SLCFs)” and “Climate effects of tropospheric ozone increase” are presented.

    • 3: Black carbon and other aerosols

      In this chapter, “Various aerosols”, “Aerosol direct and indirect (through cloud formation) effects on climate” and “Climate effects of black carbon aerosol” are presented.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Kazuyuki KITA

      Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Meteorological phenomena

    • Westerlies and trade winds
    • Asian monsoon

    Explain how weather is established in the mid-latitudes to the tropics (Asia)

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • Global atmospheric circulation, westerlies, and trade winds

      It explains the characteristics of large-scale atmospheric circulation from the tropics to the mid-latitudes from the perspective of meridional heat transport. In the mid-latitudes, it broadly explains the features of the westerlies that arise from the meridional temperature gradient.

    • Weather and climate in mid-latitudes and tropics, Monsoon and ENSO

      This chapter explains the weather and climate of the mid-latitudes by discussing the relationship between the meandering of the westerlies and the movement of high- and low-pressure systems, as well as monsoons and climate classifications. In the tropics, it briefly describes ENSO, including phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña.

    • Weather and climate in Asia

      This chapter explains the weather and climate characteristics from East Asia, including Japan, to South Asia by relating them to monsoons and ENSO.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Yasutaka Wakazuki

      Associate Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Modulation of the Weather Due to Global Warming

    • East/southeast Asia,
    • Temperature
    • Precipitation

    Explain changes in climatic conditions around the world and in East to Southeast Asia due to climate change

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • Climate change in temperature distribution 1

      Based on the IPCC reports, the chapter explains the past changes and future projections of global temperatures. Additionally, it briefly introduces the characteristics of changes in the distribution of global temperatures along with the underlying mechanisms.

    • Climate change in precipitation distribution 2

      Based on the IPCC reports, the chapter explains the changes in past global precipitation and soil moisture, among other factors, along with their future projections. In addition, it briefly introduces the mechanisms behind the increasing extremes in precipitation.

    • Changes in weather conditions in East and Southeast Asia

      Based on Japan’s Climate Change 2020, the chapter explains the past changes and future projections of Japan’s weather and climate. In particular, it introduces relatively clear prediction items such as extreme high temperatures, extreme precipitation, and tropical cyclones.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Yasutaka Wakazuki

      Associate Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Climate modulation in ocean states and circulations

    • Sea level rise
    • Acidification

    Explain the role of the oceans in climate change and the changes currently seen with climate change

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • 1: Ocean circulation under the changing climate

      The chapter explains the characteristics of global ocean circulation (both ocean currents and thermohaline circulation) from the perspective of meridional heat transport. It also touches on projections for changes in ocean circulation based on the IPCC reports.

    • 2:Changes in sea temperature and sea level

      The chapter explains past and future changes in seawater temperature and sea levels based on the IPCC reports and other sources. It also briefly explains the mechanisms behind these changes.

    • 3:Sea acidification on marine ecosystems

      Based on the IPCC reports and other sources, the chapter explains ocean acidification. It also briefly touches on the ecosystem changes caused by rising sea water temperatures and acidification.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Yasutaka Wakazuki

      Associate Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Climate change in Cryosphere

    • Snow albedo
    • Arctic ice
    • Permafrost

    Explain the effects of climate change and changes in albedo in the cryosphere and the effects of increased and decreased snowmelt

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • 1: Role of cryosphere in the climate change

      In this chapter, “Cryosphere and its components”, “Roles of cryosphere in earth system and in the climate” and “Risks due to cryosphere response to the climate change” are presented.

    • 2: Change in mountainous glaciers and permafrost

      In this chapter, “Changes in mountain Cryosphere (snow cover and glacier)”, “Changes in permafrost” and “Impacts of changes in mountain cryosphere and permafrost” are presented.

    • 3: Change in sea ice and ice sheets

      In this chapter, “Changes in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice”, “Changes in ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica” and “Impacts of sea ice and ice sheet decline” are presented.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Kazuyuki KITA

      Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Interaction of land and its use with the climate change

    • land use change
    • Albedo
    • land degradation and desertification
    • Biomass burning

    Explain the role of land surface conditions and land use in climate and the effects of climate change, and the increase in forest fires and their impacts

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • 1: Role of ground surface and land-use in the climate

      In this chapter, “Exchanges of CO2, CH4 and N2O and SLCFs between the land and the atmosphere”, “Evapotranspiration and Albedo effect on the climate” and “Land responses to the climate change” are presented.

    • 2: Climate interaction with land-use change, land degradation and desertification

      In this chapter, “Impacts of global land cover changes on the climate change”, “Interactions between land degradation and the climate change” and “Feedback between desertification and the climate change” are presented.

    • 3: Changes in biomass burning and their effects on the climate

      In this chapter, “Impacts of biomass burning on the climate change”, “The climate effects on the biomass burning” and “Changes in the biomass burning in some regions” are presented.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Kazuyuki KITA

      Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Observation of GHGs and SLCPs for climate research

    • Greenhouse gas
    • SLCP
    • Remote sensing

    To describe examples of research using state-of-the-art observations that capture atmospheric modulations to predict and respond to climate change

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • Observation of GHGs and SLCP concentrations for climate and atmospheric researches

      In this chapter, “GAW Monitoring of GHGs and related species”, “Ice core sampling for measuring GHGs in the past air” and “Aircraft and ground-based observation of SLCP in southeast Asia” are presented.

    • Observation of GHG flux from areal sources and sinks

      In this chapter, “How to measure the GHG flux with container technique”, “Measurement principle of the eddy covariance method” and “Global flux observation network (FLUXNET)” are presented.

    • Remote sensing of GHGs and top-down GHG budgets

      In this chapter, “Top-down approach to understand the GHG budget”, “Remote sensing of CO2 and CH4 by GOSAT(-2)” and “New satellite mission, GOSAT-GW, and NO2 measurement” are presented.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Kazuyuki KITA

      Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

  • Frontier of Atmospheric and Climate Change Researchers (Modeling)

    • Downscaling
    • Ensemble modeling

    Explain what climate models are and what research is being done on temperature and precipitation changes and their effects due to climate change

    Videos

    /学習動画

    • What are climate models?

      This chapter provides a brief overview of the climate models used in numerical simulations to predict future environmental conditions, outlining their underlying mechanisms and fundamental concepts.

    • Future climate prediction using climate models

      This chapter explains the scenarios for future greenhouse gas emissions assumed in numerical simulations using climate models. In addition, it presents calculation results demonstrating that global warming is due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and it introduces examples of future projections from the IPCC.

    • Regional climate prediction using downscaling of climate model simulations

      The chapter introduces the downscaling technique of climate models, which allows for the estimation of regional-scale high-resolution climate change and presents an example of regional climate change predictions for Japan using this technique.

    Lecturers

    /講師

    • Yasutaka Wakazuki

      Associate Professor, Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences, Ibaraki University

Staff/スタッフ

    Kazuyuki KITA
    Ibaraki University Faculty of Basic Natural Science, Domain of Earth Sciences
    Professor
    Career

    2010- Professor, Faculty of Science, Ibaraki University
    2018 – Present Co-director, Vietnam Japan University, Master’s Program in Climate Change and Development.
    2002-2010 Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, Ibaraki University

    Yasutaka Wakazuki
    Ibaraki University Faculty of Basic Natural Science Domain of Earth Sciences
    Associate Professor
    Career

    2016- Present Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, Ibaraki University
    2018 – Present Visiting Lecturer, Master’s Program in Climate Change and Development, Master’s Program in Climate Change and Development,Vietnam Japan University
    2012-2016 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba.
    2007-2012 Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology.
    2002-2007 Advanced Earth Science and Technology Organization

Competency/コンピテンシー

Course Objectives

1. Studying basic knowledge of atmospheric science, develop understanding how climate is formed and varies.
2. Stimulate a scientifically based attitude towards climate change, its prediction and response.

Learning Outcomes

Expected achievements shown in the followings will be tested and assessed using a rubric.
1. Understanding the scientific basis of climate processes.
2. Understanding the processes behind changes in greenhouse gases and short-lived climate forcings (SLCFs) and apply them to mitigation measures.
3. Understanding the processes behind the various climate changes that are currently occurring.

Information/その他の情報

References

IPCC (2021)Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC.
Andreas Schmittner(2017), Introduction to Climate Science – 1st Edition, Oregon State University

Contact/お問合せ先

tenkai@m.ibaraki.ac.jp

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