EnSci 200: Earth Systems Science

Lecture 1, 01/26/2023
Jacquelyn (Jacky) Bracco
 A bit about me…
• Jacquelyn (Jacky) Bracco
• Pronouns: she/her/hers and
they/them/theirs (preferred)
• Email = Jacquelyn.Bracco@qc.cuny.edu
• Office: SB E-210
• B.S.; M.S. Earth and Atmospheric Favorite subjects:
Science, Georgia Tech Mineralogy,
• Ph. D. Environmental Science, Wright Geochemistry
State University Least favorite:
• Postdoc: Argonne National Laboratory microbiology
2
 A bit about you…
• Please fill out with (only I see these):
– Name I should refer to you by (w/last name) (pronouns if you want to
share)
– Major (and minor(s) if appropriate)
– What do you think of when you think of Earth Systems Science?
– Favorite class (in high school or at QC) and why
– Least favorite class (in high school or at QC) and why
– Anything else you would like me to know about you?

3
 Outline
• Course Goals and Objectives
• How to succeed
• Overview of IPCC AR6
• In class activity

4
 Course Goals – What do environmental
scientists do?
• Discuss with a partner or two what you hope to learn in this
class

5
 What do you need to be successful?
• Knowing how to study
• Taking notes when listening to lecture, reading the papers
• Outlining papers

6
 Major Course Themes

How we affect the Earth System (anthropogenic effects):

1. Climate Change
2. Ozone Hole
3. Organisms and Climate Change
4. Biodiversity

7
 Earth’s “spheres”

Every sphere is
connected through
the movement of
energy and matter

8
 What happens when you push a planet out of
equilibrium?

https://xkcd.com/1379/
 Resources IPCC Reports:
Textbook 4th edition (Kump),
3rd ok if need be:

https://www.ipcc.ch/

Papers (on blackboard)

10
11
12
 In class Writing: Climate Change Essay (30
minutes)
• So I can get to know people’s interests better, please write an essay
(~1 page) about:
• Which impact of climate change (sea level rise, temperature
changes, loss in biodiversity, ice melting, etc.) concerns you the
most and why?

• Assignment is ungraded, but I will provide feedback on it. It is ok if

you do not finish, but try your best.
 Next Time
• Before class on Tuesday, read Kump Chp 1 and Tortella,
2020
• 1/31: Earth System + Updates to the AR6 since AR5
• Bring laptops to class if you have them