Goldilocks’ Earth - Neither Too Hot Nor Too cold, in Fact Just Right!

Topics: Chemistry / Earth Sciences / Atmospheric Physics

A series of masterclasses centred on the Earth’s climate. You will start by discussing how Earth’s climate became the ideal environment for life and how it remains fragile to both natural and anthropogenic changes before moving on to discuss potential global warming solutions.

Goldilocks’ Earth (1): What determines Earth’s temperature? A Complex balance!

Earth's surface temperature: Energy budgets, solar energy input, albedo, greenhouse gases, surface temperature calculations, black body assumptions, role of the atmosphere, grey body assumptions.

Goldilocks’ Earth (2): A warming climate: How much and when? Unexpected Implications?

Climate sensitivity: Earth's average temperature, energy balance models, climate forcing, estimating climate sensitivity, feedback loops, difficulties. Far reaching and unexpected consequences.

Goldilocks’ Earth (3): Ozone: the first line of defence and how we very nearly lost it.

Ozone: How the ozone layer developed and is maintained, Chapman cycles, catalytic ozone loss, CFCs, the ozone hole, signs of ozone recovery and lessons to be learned. (Mainly chemistry)

Goldilocks’ Earth (4): Volcano-Climate interactions: Was King John deposed as a result of an eruption in 1257?

Volcano-chemistry interactions: Volcanic impacts on the atmosphere, chemistry and climate, (e.g. temperature decrease, ozone depletion), implications for society and ecosystems, historical evidence for devastating climate change following volcanic eruptions.

Goldilocks’ Earth (5): Geoengineering, the only viable solution to climate change?

Geo-engineering theories, natural analogues, positive consequences and unexpected negative consequences. Benefit trade offs.

Applying for Natural Sciences?

It is really important to show Natural Sciences applicants that there is more to chemistry (and indeed Natural Sciences) than stirring sludge in the vague hope of making a new compound in synthesis labs. There is a whole, fascinating portion of chemistry in Cambridge that deals with the chemistry of the atmosphere: Energy balances, rates of reaction, climate dynamics, ozone depletion...etc. It is particularly interesting to think of how these will change in the warmer and wetter climates of the future.

• Hosts: We have a range of Goldilocks’ Earth masterclass hosts, all Oxbridge-educated Earth Scientists or Chemistry specialists. The host will be confirmed upon booking

• Duration: Suggested 1hr per session. Students can choose individual masterclasses or take the whole series of 5.