ESCI1903: Sea Level in the 21st Century: Societal Response to Coastal Processes

This course focuses on the oceanic shorelines of planet Earth and examines the role of changing sea level and its impact on both humans and ecosystems that inhabit coastal regions as well as its impact on the broader global society. Scientific literature and popular press are replete with the view that global sea level is rising in the 21st century. However, in reality, some sectors of the marine shorelines are experiencing a sea-level fall. Thus understanding what controls changing sea level is key to guide society?s response and to promote responsible public policy. Students will develop scientific fluency in fundamental coastal processes associated with waves, tides, beaches, storms (hurricanes), rising or sinking land, river deltas, and nearshore regions in general. These coastal processes will be examined in the face of changing sea level and its interrelationship with land-use policies, engineering practices, human infrastructure, coastal laws, risk assessment in the insurance industry, and global geopolitics. Assignments will enhance students? skills in research, logical reasoning, and critical analysis as well as foster lifelong skills in writing proficiency and oral communication. The societal challenges posed by changing sea level, both local and international, lie at the heart of this seminar.

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