"Earth's Changing Climate" Prof. Richard Wolfson (DVD) (12 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture /  2x DVD - The Great Courses)
The complex physical mechanisms driving the planet's atmospheric evolution take center stage in this analytical exploration of the Earth's climate system. These lectures provide a technical assessment of the greenhouse effect, solar variability, and orbital cycles to establish a baseline for how climate has shifted over geological timescales. By dissecting the carbon cycle and the intricate feedback loops between the oceans and the atmosphere, the course investigates the scientific data behind current warming trends and examines how human activity is fundamentally altering the global energy balance.
 
A comprehensive evaluation of climate modeling and future projections replaces simplified narratives to investigate the empirical evidence defining our environmental future. Drawing on expertise from Middlebury College, this material explores the diverse impacts of a changing climate - from shifting precipitation patterns to rising sea levels - and analyzes the technological and policy-based strategies for mitigation. This is not merely a survey of environmental changes; it is an intellectually grounded investigation into the physical laws that govern the Earth’s habitability and the urgent scientific challenges posed by a rapidly transforming world.