3635 - The Science Behind Climate Change: Natural vs. Human Induced (Debra Duffy)
Course Description
Instructor: Debra Duffy
This course explores the science of climate change addressing the natural cycles of climate warming and cooling periods in Earth’s history and their causes. In addition, carbon-based energy will be explored and its footprint on natural climate cycles. The course will outline anthropogenic activities impacting Earth’s atmosphere, ozone protection, and natural resources. The tactics used to keep business as usual will be explored. Why has this issue been such a controversial topic? How do we talk about it? What are solutions to the climate crisis and what can we do on an individual basis?
Bio: Debra recently retired from geoscience education after 30 + years. Prior to the education field, she worked as a geologist primarily in wetland research studies. While in education, Debra worked in Earth, Environmental, and Oceanographic sciences both teaching and curriculum development. In addition, Debra managed a STEM teacher preparation program preparing STEM teachers for secondary licensure. Debra holds a B.S. and M.S. in Geology and a Ph.D. in Science Education, Curriculum and Instruction. In 2011, she served as educator-at-sea on the E/V Nautilus, an underwater mapping expedition (under the direction of Dr. Robert Ballad, who found the Titanic) looking for hydrothermal vent communities on the Mediterranean seafloor. She received Professor of the Year 2018 at Tidewater Community College for her work in fostering a community partnership between Nauticus museum and TCC oceanography students.