EAE3132 Future climates: Projections, impacts and adaptation
Faculty of Science
EAE3132 Future climates: Projections, impacts and adaptation is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 4 other tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before EAE3132
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After EAE3132
No unit lists EAE3132 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Overview
In this unit physical science of climate change processes will be briefly reviewed, followed by a focus on future climate, including discussions of climate models, projections, and impact scenarios. The unit will then discuss observed climate trends, including extremes, and associated impacts on the biophysical environment now and in the future. The second part of the unit provides a brief overview of the international policy frameworks for dealing with climate change and global and local mitigation responses. Finally, recognising that some degree of climate change is inevitable, the unit discusses climate change adaptation across various sectors.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)Examination40%
- Assessed practicalsDemonstration15%
- Specialised topic report and presentationWritten25%
- Mid-semester testQuiz / Test10%
- Mini quizzesQuiz / Test10%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe the basic physics of climate change, the key leverage points for earth's climate, both natural and anthropogenic.
- 2
Discuss global carbon cycle, the critical roles of the oceans and biosphere, and the overriding impact of human perturbation on the natural controls on atmospheric CO2
- 3
Recognise the roles of climate change and natural variability in current climate trends.
- 4
Explain the operation of climate models, their strengths, weaknesses and uncertainties, and the development of projections.
- 5
Describe the fundamental approaches to climate change mitigation along with a basic understanding of international policy on climate change including successes and failures.
- 6
Explain how both mitigation and adaptation are required to deal adequately with climate change.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops12 hours
- Lectures24 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Two 1-hour lectures
- One 1-hour workshop and
- One 2-hour practical per week
Where it fits
EAE3132 is part of 9 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
- ATMOSCI07Part A. Foundation studiesAtmospheric scienceNo reviews yet
- CLATMSCI04Climate and atmospheric science unitsClimate and atmospheric scienceNo reviews yet
- CLATMSCI05Additional Climate and atmospheric science unitsClimate and atmospheric scienceNo reviews yet
- ENVIROSC04Climate streamEnvironmental scienceNo reviews yet
- ENVIRSEC02Part B. Specialisation preparatory studiesEnvironmental securityNo reviews yet
- GEOGSCI13Additional geographical science unitsGeographical scienceNo reviews yet
- GEOGSCI14Additional geographical science unitsGeographical scienceNo reviews yet
- HUMNGEOG06Level 2 and 3 elective unitsHuman geographyNo reviews yet
- HUMNGEOG09Level 2 and 3 elective unitsHuman geographyNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Julie Arblaster
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Julie Arblaster
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for EAE3132?
EAE3132 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is EAE3132 offered?
In 2026, EAE3132 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does EAE3132 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include EAE3132?
EAE3132 is part of Atmospheric science; Climate and atmospheric science; Environmental science; Environmental security; and Geographical science, and 1 other area of study.