How will the changing climate affect our world? To find out, it might help to learn more about the dinosaurs. Come hear Professor Eli Tziperman explain how the lessons (and mysteries) of past climate change may predict the weather in years to come.

Earth's climate was exceptionally warm some tens of millions of years ago. Crocodiles and palm trees, which can't survive a few nights of sub-freezing temperatures, were found in the waters off Greenland and in the middle of what is now Wyoming, where current winter temperatures can drop to minus-40. Exploring past climate dynamics and events that occurred tens of millions of years ago may seem esoteric, but it turns out to be a surprisingly relevant exercise: the explanations carry significant implications for future climate. And just as important, the geologic past contains wonderful climate mysteries of dramatic events which are still not understood and pose challenging puzzles waiting to be solved.

Eli Tziperman, the Pamela and Vasco McCoy Jr. Professor of Oceanography and Applied Physics, focuses his research on climate dynamics, attempting to understand the physical processes that affect our planet's climate on time scales of a few years to millions of years. Join him for an investigation of the lessons of the past and a peek into our climate future.

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
7:00 - 9:00pm
University Club
800 Powell St, San Francisco CA
Light appetizers and drinks will be served

Free but RSVP required!