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Global warming
This unit provides an introduction to global warming. We will be considering...
This unit provides an introduction to global warming. We will be considering the history of global warming by looking at the pattern of ice ages and analyisis of recorded temperatures. We will aim to gather meaningful information from this data. We will briefly assess the impact and influence of humans on global warming and, finally, we will examine climate models and how to predict future changes.
The learning outcomes for this unit are to:
- Develop an understanding of the current evidence for global warming.
- Model and apply the techniques of ‘measuring’ the Earth's temperature.
- Understand the current warming in relation to climate changes throughout the Earth's history.
- Explain factors forcing climate change, and the extent of anthropogenic influence.
- Assess the ‘best predictions’ of current climate models.
- Duration: 5 hours
- Published on: Friday 1st July 2011
- Level: Introductory
- Posted under: Environmental Science
Global warming
Introduction

This unit provides an introduction to global warming. We will be considering the history of global warming by looking at the pattern of ice ages and analysis of recorded temperatures. We will aim to gather meaningful information from this data. We will briefly assess the impact and influence of humans on global warming and, finally, we will examine climate models and how to predict future changes.
Archive content
This is an extract from an Open University course which is no longer available to new students. If you found this interesting you could explore more free Environmental Science course units or view the range of currently available OU Environmental Science courses.
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- Creative-Commons: The Open University is proud to release this free course under a Creative Commons licence. However, any third-party materials featured within it are used with permission and are not ours to give away. These materials are not subject to the Creative Commons licence. See terms and conditions. Full details can be found in the Acknowledgements section.
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