Climate Change and Lost Cities
Academic Noncredit

Climate change has been occurring throughout Earth’s history. Inherent processes such as the planet’s tectonic activity, the Earth’s relationship to the Sun and other extraterrestrial bodies, as well as atmospheric and hydrological processes have dictated an ever-changing climate pattern over a variety of time scales. However, the relatively recent evolution and expansion of humans around the globe has cast climate change in a new light. Humans are altering the atmosphere in an unprecedented manner, and stand to suffer greatly from even relatively minor alterations in climate. This course will examine several historical and recent examples of how human modification of an environment and/or climate led to the collapse of cities to civilizations. In addition to the cultural examples, students will be introduced to the methods and review the evidence used to study climate changes of the past, and will examine the data being used to forecast climate change into the future.

This noncredit class meets with a regular University of Utah credit course.

Online book and material fees may be added up until the first week of class. Students may opt out during the first two weeks of class. For more information, visit the Campus Store Inclusive Access Program's webpage. If you opt out, you will be responsible for obtaining the course materials yourself for the course.