We are living in a time of rapid environmental change, increasing scientific understanding of the processes and consequences of environmental change, conflicted public understanding of science, and contradictory policies about greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity conservation, and a sustainable food system. In this course, we will explore the science and politics of environmental change in terms of how they affect our lives and the well-being of people everywhere. In addition, we will evaluate the content and style of writing about global change by scientists, policy makers, journalists, and creative writers. We will distinguish scientific analysis from popular narrative and evaluate sources of authority and bias in writing for the public.

Readings will be drawn from Naomi Klein, This Changes Everything; the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; Elizabeth Kolbert, The Sixth Extinction; Craig Childs, Apocalyptic Planet, and a variety of essays and scientific articles. Writing assignments will include short essays, a research paper, and a grant proposal. Students should achieve a better understanding of the science behind current environmental crises and how to write about these topics for a variety of audiences.