Descriptif

Human activities are causing a significant build‐up of Greenhouse gases (GHG), such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, in the atmosphere, driven by emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industry, agriculture and deforestation. The evolution of GHG atmospheric levels depends on emissions for which various scenarios can be established, and on how biogeochemical cycles react to these emissions.  This course will present the main climate effects of the increase of the atmospheric burden of GHG, and will describe the various emission scenarios, including their ties to regional policy and economy, as well as the link between emissions and atmospheric concentration. The methodologies used to improve the knowledge on GHG sources and sinks will be detailed. Finally, the various observation techniques (based on air flasks, spectroscopy or active and passive remote sensing), that are currently used or in preparation to monitor GHG concentration, from the ground, from aircraft or from space, will be presented.

Langue du cours : Anglais

Credits ECTS : 4