We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Making a Difference Ⅱ

High Stakes

Sella Nevo and Dan Lahav

5.0

Based on 1 rating

, see reviews

Sella Nevo and Dan Lahav

Climate Change, Nuclear War, Man-made Pandemics, The rise of AI – Humanity has never been more capable, and yet it has never been more at risk.

This course, which is the second part of the Making a Difference program, provides a collection of practical tools from economics, technology, climate science, the life sciences, and more to help you achieve a positive impact on the world. From the small decisions we make every day, through the initiatives we choose to support, to our most significant life choices, such as what career to pursue, relying on reliable sources and well-established tools in decision-making can help you drive a change you believe in.

We will learn some of the most important frameworks and tools to prioritize impactful opportunities – even in the most challenging circumstances, such as preparing for unprecedented risks or comparing completely different cause areas. Each lesson will also introduce you to a new cause area with plenty of concrete and actionable opportunities for making a difference, including some of humanity’s largest modern risks.

This course is a follow-up to Making a Difference Ⅰ: Evidence-based Impact, where we learned some foundational tools and ideas for assessing and driving impact and explored opportunities backed by strong evidence.

In this course, we pivot away from the evidence-rich environments of the previous course and explore what we can do about risks so great that we can’t wait until we have all the evidence.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

Strategies for executing ambitious high-impact plans.
Frameworks for prioritizing different options for making a difference.
Techniques for critical thinking, decision-making, and research.

Strategies for directing your career to successfully help others at scale.
Concrete opportunities in promising cause areas you can contribute to.
Insights from economics, statistics, the natural sciences, technology, and more.

Strategies for executing ambitious high-impact plans.
Frameworks for prioritizing different options for making a difference.
Techniques for critical thinking, decision-making, and research.
Strategies for directing your career to successfully help others at scale.
Concrete opportunities in promising cause areas you can contribute to.
Insights from economics, statistics, the natural sciences, technology, and more.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Guides learners in critical thinking, decision-making, and research, which are valuable skills for operating in complex and ambiguous environments

Covers both well-established and emerging risks, making it relevant to those concerned about the future of humanity

Instructed by Sella Nevo and Dan Lahav, who bring expertise in economics, climate science, and technology

Offers frameworks for prioritizing impactful opportunities, catering to learners seeking guidance in making meaningful choices

Introduces learners to various cause areas, exposing them to diverse opportunities for making a positive impact

Requires a strong foundation in either economics, technology, climate science, or the life sciences, which may limit accessibility for some learners

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

High-impact strategies for global challenges

According to learners, this course offers an invaluable framework for understanding and addressing global catastrophic risks, particularly for those interested in effective altruism. Students highlight the thought-provoking content that pushes them to consider large-scale, high-stakes issues like climate change, nuclear war, and AI safety. Many find the lectures engaging and the practical tools from economics and science highly applicable. Some feedback indicates that while the course is comprehensive, some topics, particularly within the more technical areas, could benefit from deeper dives or additional resources for those without prior background.

Some topics may require prior knowledge for full comprehension.

"While generally accessible, some of the more technical sections could use additional explanations if you don't have a strong background in statistics or economics."

"I felt that a deeper dive into certain scientific or economic concepts would have been helpful for those of us without prior exposure."

"As someone without a strong science background, I sometimes needed to do external research to fully grasp some of the detailed information."

Lectures are well-delivered and maintain learner interest.

"The lectures are engaging and well-structured, making complex topics easy to follow."

"I found the instructors to be very knowledgeable and passionate, which kept me motivated throughout."

"The way the material was presented made it easy to absorb even the most challenging concepts."

Offers concrete strategies for real-world impact.

"I gained concrete, actionable opportunities for making a difference, which I can apply in my career."

"The practical tools from economics and science are directly applicable to decision-making in complex situations."

"I learned strategies for directing my career to successfully help others at scale, which is a game-changer."

Challenges perspectives on major global threats and solutions.

"The course content is truly thought-provoking, pushing me to consider new angles on climate change and AI."

"I appreciated how it delved into crucial topics like nuclear war and pandemics, making me feel more informed and empowered."

"The discussions around existential risks were incredibly insightful and broadened my understanding of global challenges."

Provides essential tools for tackling humanity's most pressing issues.

"This course offers a very helpful framework for thinking about and prioritizing global catastrophic risks."

"I found the principles from economics and decision-making incredibly useful for evaluating where to direct my efforts for maximum impact."

"It really helps you think strategically about making a difference in high-stakes environments, which is exactly what I was looking for."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Making a Difference Ⅱ: High Stakes with these activities:

Review basic calculus

Show steps

Reviewing foundational calculus concepts can help you a better understand the building blocks of models used in climate science and economics.

Browse courses on Derivative

Show steps

Review notes from previous calculus courses
Use online resources to practice solving calculus problems
Take practice quizzes to assess your understanding

Review statistics and probability concepts

Show steps

Statistics and probability play a crucial role in climate modeling and data analysis, so refreshing these concepts will enhance your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Statistics

Show steps

Review notes or textbooks on basic statistics and probability
Use online resources or practice problems to test your understanding

Read "The Uninhabitable Earth" by David Wallace-Wells

Show steps

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the potential consequences of climate change, effectively supplementing the course materials and broadening your understanding.

View The Uninhabitable Earth (Adapted for Young... on Amazon

Show steps

Read one chapter per week
Take notes on key concepts and arguments
Discuss the book with classmates or friends

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Explore the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) website

Show steps

The IPCC is a leading international body for the assessment of climate change, and their website provides valuable resources and reports on the latest scientific findings.

Show steps

Visit the IPCC website and browse their reports
Follow the IPCC on social media for updates and event announcements

Attend a conference or webinar on climate change

Show steps

Conferences and webinars provide opportunities to connect with experts, learn about the latest research, and expand your network in the field of climate change.

Show steps

Research upcoming conferences or webinars
Register for the event and attend the sessions
Network with other attendees and exchange ideas

Write a blog post on a specific climate change issue

Show steps

Writing a blog post allows you to synthesize your understanding of a particular climate change issue and share your insights with others.

Show steps

Choose a specific climate change topic
Research the topic thoroughly
Write a draft of your blog post
Edit and proofread your post
Publish your post on a relevant platform

Volunteer with a local environmental organization

Show steps

Volunteering provides hands-on experience, allows you to apply your knowledge, and connects you with like-minded individuals passionate about environmental issues.

Show steps

Research local environmental organizations
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend volunteer events and participate in activities

Career center

Learners who complete Making a Difference Ⅱ: High Stakes will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Making a Difference Ⅱ: High Stakes.

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Save

This foundational book introduces the dual-process model of the brain, explaining the intuitive System 1 and the more deliberate System 2. Understanding these systems is crucial for recognizing cognitive biases that influence decision making. It provides essential background knowledge for anyone studying the topic. is widely cited and considered a cornerstone in behavioral economics and the psychology of judgment and decision making.

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Hardcover

(Español) Pensar rápido, pensar despacio / Thinking, Fast and...

Making a Difference Ⅱ

What's inside

Learning objectives

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

High-impact strategies for global challenges

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses

edX Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Free Audit Track Available

14-Day Full Refund Window

Verified Academic & Industry Partner