Articles: required
Here are links to pdf files for the required-reading articles.
Karl Popper, Knowledge without authority (1960)
Popper discusses the nature of scientific knowledge (and knowledge in general).
Mann and Jones
(2003) Global surface temperatures over the past two millennia
A short, well-written article that serves as a good illustration of the report format required in this course (Introduction, Main Body, Conclusions, proper citations, use of figures, etc.). Mann and Jones examine the paleoclimate record to address a critical question: is the recent warming outside the range of natural variability?
Lorius et al., 1990, Nature, The ice-core record: climate sensitivity and future greenhouse warming
An excellent example of using the energy-balance theory of climate change. Lorius and colleagues diagnose how sensitive the earth's climate is by looking at temperature changes and greenhouse gas forcings associated with the last ice-age.
Hoffman, P. F., and D. P. Schrag, Snowball Earth, Scientific American, January, 2000.
Has the ice-albedo feedback ever gone to its logical extreme - a completely ice-covered planet? Only a decade ago, this was thought to be impossible (because, it was thought, it would have extinguished life and there would have been no way for the earth to recover from this state.) Recent geological evidence, however, has led most scientists to agree that this did in fact happen. This article describes the evidence for and implications of this theory in an engaging fashion.
IPCC 2001 Summary for Policymakers
The latest international scientific assessment. The entire report (some 500 pages) is the authoritative statement of current scientific knowledge. Why? Because it is written, discussed, and reviewed by the leading scientists in the field. It is a cautious document that incorporates all legitimate criticisms and uncertainties. Here, in the executive summary for policymakers, we see what findings were considered most important.
Azar and Rodhe, 1997, Science, targets for CO2 stabilization
Thoughtful discussion of how to define "dangerous interference with the climate system".
Seattle Times Pro/Con Debate: Does human activity affect climate?
Should this question be debated by non-scientists? at all?