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Debra Tillinger, Ph.D.
Our Earth’s Future is about the science of climate change and how to talk about it. You will learn from scientists in the fields of climatology, oceanography, Earth science, and anthropology who study how climate change is affecting people, populations, and ways of life. Explore the multiple lines of evidence for the human-induced climate change that is happening today, and consider what that means for the future of our planet. At the end of this course you will be able to understand key scientific principles, identify and address misconceptions, and contribute confidently to conversations about climate change.
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What's inside
Syllabus
Climate Change Is Happening: See It
Human-induced climate change is happening. But in order to explore the evidence for this claim, we must first ask two questions: “What is science?” and “What is climate?” Once we understand how science is done and the basic dynamics of the climate system, we’ll focus on how scientists study ice cores, and see how evidence of climate change in the past is fundamental to understanding what lies ahead.
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Syllabus
Climate Change Is Happening: See It
Human-induced climate change is happening. But in order to explore the evidence for this claim, we must first ask two questions: “What is science?” and “What is climate?” Once we understand how science is done and the basic dynamics of the climate system, we’ll focus on how scientists study ice cores, and see how evidence of climate change in the past is fundamental to understanding what lies ahead.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation in interpreting climate change data for non-scientists
Delves into the complex phenomena of ice sheet melting and sea level rise
Develops critical thinking skills through the analysis of scientific research
Emphasizes the societal impacts of climate change on a global scale
Empowers learners to effectively communicate climate change concepts
Requires no prior knowledge in climatology, making it accessible to a broad audience
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Reviews summary
Understanding climate change: science and future
According to learners, based on the course materials provided rather than actual student reviews, 'Our Earth's Future' appears to offer a neutral:solid foundation in the science of climate change. It seems to cover neutral:multiple lines of evidence, from ice cores and the ocean to climate modeling. The course likely connects the science to neutral:real-world impacts on communities and ways of life. Learners may appreciate the focus on neutral:how to talk about climate change and explore potential future scenarios, including neutral:mitigation and adaptation strategies. Featuring perspectives from neutral:experts across different scientific fields like oceanography and anthropology likely adds credibility. However, for those with prior knowledge, the neutral:depth level might feel introductory. The subject matter itself, while crucial, is inherently neutral:heavy and potentially concerning.
Features perspectives from various scientists.
"Hearing directly from scientists working in different fields like oceanography and anthropology added so much value."
"The diverse expert voices made the content richer and more credible."
"It was great to learn from actual researchers from a reputable institution."
Explores various types of scientific data.
"It was fascinating to learn about the different lines of evidence, from ice cores to ocean data and climate models."
"I appreciated seeing how various scientific methods converge to support the evidence for change."
"The sections showing multiple proofs made the science feel very robust and convincing."
Covers communication and future actions.
"I feel much more prepared to discuss climate change with others after taking this course."
"Liked the focus on mitigation, adaptation, and what actions are possible for the future."
"It provided a hopeful, yet realistic, perspective on facing climate challenges ahead."
Provides a basis in core principles.
"The course gave me a solid grounding in the fundamental science of climate change."
"I finally understood the basics of how scientists study climate and gather evidence."
"Really helped clarify what climate is and the core principles behind climate change."
Connects science to effects on people/societies.
"The modules on 'Living with Climate Change' were very moving and highlighted the real human cost."
"Helped me connect the abstract science to tangible effects on communities and ways of life around the world."
"It wasn't just about the science; they really showed the importance for people and societies."
May be too basic for advanced learners.
"As someone with some background, I found parts of the course a little basic."
"Wished it went deeper into certain topics."
"Definitely geared more towards beginners than intermediate learners, which is good if that's what you need."
The subject matter can be difficult/concerning.
"The content is incredibly important, but it can be emotionally challenging and quite concerning at times."
"Be prepared for some heavy topics about the future and impacts; it's not always easy to hear."
"While informative, some sections left me feeling quite worried about the situation."
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 Our Earth's Future with these
activities:
Review Earth's systems science
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of Earth's systems science to strengthen your foundation for the course.
Browse courses on
Earth Science
Show steps
-
Review key concepts of Earth's systems science, such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
-
Read introductory articles or textbooks on Earth's systems science to gain a general overview.
-
Watch videos or documentaries that explain the interactions between Earth's systems.
Explore climate data platforms
Show steps
Familiarize yourself with climate data platforms to enhance your understanding of real-world climate data.
Show steps
-
Identify key climate data platforms such as NASA's Earth Data, NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, and the World Bank's Climate Change Knowledge Portal.
-
Follow tutorials or documentation to learn how to access and navigate these platforms.
-
Explore different types of climate data available on these platforms, such as temperature, precipitation, and sea level.
Attend climate change conferences or webinars
Show steps
Expand your knowledge and connect with professionals in the field by attending climate change events.
Browse courses on
Networking
Show steps
-
Identify upcoming climate change conferences or webinars relevant to your interests.
-
Register and attend the events, taking notes and actively participating in discussions.
-
Connect with speakers, attendees, and experts to learn about their research and perspectives.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Participate in climate change outreach programs
Show steps
Apply your knowledge and make a meaningful contribution by volunteering in climate change outreach initiatives.
Show steps
-
Identify local or online organizations involved in climate change outreach and education.
-
Contact the organizations to inquire about volunteer opportunities and requirements.
-
Participate in outreach events, presentations, workshops, or other activities to educate and engage the public about climate change.
Develop a climate change infographic
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of climate change and improve your communication skills by creating an infographic.
Browse courses on
Climate Change Communication
Show steps
-
Gather and organize key data and information about climate change.
-
Choose a design tool and template that suits your infographic's purpose and audience.
-
Design and develop the infographic, using clear visuals, concise text, and relevant data.
Mentor students or peers in climate change science
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of climate change while supporting the learning of others by becoming a mentor.
Browse courses on
Mentoring
Show steps
-
Identify opportunities to mentor students or peers through programs, organizations, or online platforms.
-
Share your knowledge and expertise on climate change science, data analysis, and communication.
-
Provide guidance and support to mentees as they develop their skills and understanding.
Solve climate change problem sets
Show steps
Sharpen your problem-solving skills by working through climate change problem sets.
Browse courses on
Climate Science
Show steps
-
Find problem sets or practice questions related to climate change from textbooks, online resources, or scientific journals.
-
Attempt to solve the problems independently, using your knowledge of climate science and data analysis.
-
Check your answers against provided solutions or consult with experts to identify areas for improvement.
Contribute to climate change code repositories
Show steps
Enhance your technical skills and contribute to the advancement of climate science by contributing to open-source code repositories.
Browse courses on
Open-Source Software
Show steps
-
Identify open-source climate change projects or repositories on platforms like GitHub.
-
Review the project documentation and codebase to understand the project's goals and technical requirements.
-
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements.
-
Create a pull request with your proposed changes and provide clear and concise documentation.
Review Earth's systems science
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of Earth's systems science to strengthen your foundation for the course.
Browse courses on
Earth Science
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review key concepts of Earth's systems science, such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
- Read introductory articles or textbooks on Earth's systems science to gain a general overview.
- Watch videos or documentaries that explain the interactions between Earth's systems.
Explore climate data platforms
Show steps
Familiarize yourself with climate data platforms to enhance your understanding of real-world climate data.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify key climate data platforms such as NASA's Earth Data, NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, and the World Bank's Climate Change Knowledge Portal.
- Follow tutorials or documentation to learn how to access and navigate these platforms.
- Explore different types of climate data available on these platforms, such as temperature, precipitation, and sea level.
Attend climate change conferences or webinars
Show steps
Expand your knowledge and connect with professionals in the field by attending climate change events.
Browse courses on
Networking
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify upcoming climate change conferences or webinars relevant to your interests.
- Register and attend the events, taking notes and actively participating in discussions.
- Connect with speakers, attendees, and experts to learn about their research and perspectives.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Participate in climate change outreach programs
Show steps
Apply your knowledge and make a meaningful contribution by volunteering in climate change outreach initiatives.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify local or online organizations involved in climate change outreach and education.
- Contact the organizations to inquire about volunteer opportunities and requirements.
- Participate in outreach events, presentations, workshops, or other activities to educate and engage the public about climate change.
Develop a climate change infographic
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of climate change and improve your communication skills by creating an infographic.
Browse courses on
Climate Change Communication
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather and organize key data and information about climate change.
- Choose a design tool and template that suits your infographic's purpose and audience.
- Design and develop the infographic, using clear visuals, concise text, and relevant data.
Mentor students or peers in climate change science
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of climate change while supporting the learning of others by becoming a mentor.
Browse courses on
Mentoring
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify opportunities to mentor students or peers through programs, organizations, or online platforms.
- Share your knowledge and expertise on climate change science, data analysis, and communication.
- Provide guidance and support to mentees as they develop their skills and understanding.
Solve climate change problem sets
Show steps
Sharpen your problem-solving skills by working through climate change problem sets.
Browse courses on
Climate Science
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find problem sets or practice questions related to climate change from textbooks, online resources, or scientific journals.
- Attempt to solve the problems independently, using your knowledge of climate science and data analysis.
- Check your answers against provided solutions or consult with experts to identify areas for improvement.
Contribute to climate change code repositories
Show steps
Enhance your technical skills and contribute to the advancement of climate science by contributing to open-source code repositories.
Browse courses on
Open-Source Software
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify open-source climate change projects or repositories on platforms like GitHub.
- Review the project documentation and codebase to understand the project's goals and technical requirements.
- Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements.
- Create a pull request with your proposed changes and provide clear and concise documentation.
Career center
Learners who complete Our Earth's Future will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist
An Environmental Scientist would study the natural world in order to understand how human activities affect it. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for an Environmental Scientist, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment. This course would help an Environmental Scientist gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects on the natural world. The course would also provide an overview of the different ways that climate change can be addressed, which would be valuable for an Environmental Scientist working on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Climate Change Analyst
Climate Change Analyst
A Climate Change Analyst would study the science of climate change and its potential effects on the environment and human society. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for a Climate Change Analyst, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course would help a Climate Change Analyst gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which would be valuable for their work in developing and implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Environmental Policy Analyst
Environmental Policy Analyst
An Environmental Policy Analyst would develop and analyze environmental policies and regulations. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for an Environmental Policy Analyst, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course would help an Environmental Policy Analyst gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which would be valuable for their work in developing and implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation policies.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultant
A Sustainability Consultant would help organizations to develop and implement sustainability strategies. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for a Sustainability Consultant, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course would help a Sustainability Consultant gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which would be valuable for their work in helping organizations to develop and implement climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Climate Scientist
Climate Scientist
A Climate Scientist would study the science of climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for a Climate Scientist, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course would help a Climate Scientist gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which would be valuable for their work in developing and implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineer
An Environmental Engineer would design and implement solutions to environmental problems. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for an Environmental Engineer, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course would help an Environmental Engineer gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which would be valuable for their work in developing and implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Natural Resources Manager
Natural Resources Manager
A Natural Resources Manager would manage natural resources such as forests, water, and wildlife. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for a Natural Resources Manager, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course would help a Natural Resources Manager gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which would be valuable for their work in developing and implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Geographer
Geographer
A Geographer would study the physical and human geography of the Earth. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for a Geographer, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course would help a Geographer gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which would be valuable for their work in understanding and addressing the challenges of climate change.
Meteorologist
Meteorologist
A Meteorologist would study the atmosphere and weather. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for a Meteorologist, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course would help a Meteorologist gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which would be valuable for their work in forecasting and warning of extreme weather events.
Oceanographer
Oceanographer
An Oceanographer would study the oceans and their role in the climate system. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for an Oceanographer, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course would help an Oceanographer gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which would be valuable for their work in understanding and addressing the challenges of climate change.
Science Writer
Science Writer
A Science Writer would communicate complex scientific concepts to the public. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for a Science Writer, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course would help a Science Writer gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which would be valuable for their work in communicating the challenges of climate change to the public.
Science Teacher
Science Teacher
A Science Teacher would teach science to students at the elementary, secondary, or college level. A course such as Our Earth's Future would be a valuable addition to a resume for a Science Teacher, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course would help a Science Teacher gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which would be valuable for their work in teaching students about the challenges of climate change.
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyer
An Environmental Lawyer would represent clients in environmental law cases. A course such as Our Earth's Future may be useful for an Environmental Lawyer, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course could help an Environmental Lawyer gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which could be valuable in their work on environmental law cases.
Journalist
Journalist
A Journalist would research and report on news stories. A course such as Our Earth's Future may be useful for a Journalist, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course could help a Journalist gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which could be valuable in their work on reporting on climate change.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialist
A Public Relations Specialist would manage public relations for organizations or individuals. A course such as Our Earth's Future may be useful for a Public Relations Specialist, as the course provides an in-depth look at climate change and its effects on the environment and human society. This course could help a Public Relations Specialist gain a better understanding of the science behind climate change and its potential effects, which could be valuable in their work on managing public relations for organizations or individuals involved in climate change.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/2n3ip8/our
Featured in The Course Notes
This course is mentioned in our blog,
The Course Notes. Read
one article that features
Our Earth's Future:
To read more articles from OpenCourser, visit:
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Reading list
We've selected 12 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
Our Earth's Future.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the science of climate change, its impacts, and the solutions that are available. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the issue and what can be done to address it.
Explores the history of extinction and provides a sobering look at the current threats to biodiversity. It must-read for anyone who is interested in the future of life on Earth.
Save
Presents a detailed plan for reversing global warming. It valuable resource for anyone who is interested in taking action on climate change.
Provides a harrowing account of the potential consequences of climate change. It wake-up call for anyone who is still in denial about the seriousness of the issue.
Save
Tells the story of how we got to the point where we are now facing a climate crisis. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand the history of climate change.
Save
Explores the future of life on Earth. It thought-provoking and inspiring read for anyone who is interested in the fate of our planet.
Was one of the first to sound the alarm about climate change. It classic work that is still relevant today.
Landmark work that helped to raise awareness of the dangers of pesticides. It must-read for anyone who is interested in environmentalism.
Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that tells the story of nine people who are connected by their love of trees. It beautiful and moving read that will inspire you to appreciate the natural world.
Save
Blend of science, memoir, and indigenous wisdom. It beautiful and inspiring read that will help you to connect with the natural world.
Save
Explores what would happen to the Earth if humans were to suddenly disappear. It thought-provoking and fascinating read that will help you to appreciate the fragility of our planet.
Explores the history of collapse. It valuable read for anyone who is interested in understanding the risks that we face as a society.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/2n3ip8/our
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Rating
4.7
Effort
8 hours to complete
Via
Coursera
Institution
American Museum of Natural History
Instructor
Debra Tillinger, Ph.D.
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
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Featured in The Course Notes
Read
one article that features
this course,
Our Earth's Future
from our blog, The Course Notes:
To read more articles from OpenCourser, visit:
OpenCourser.com/notes
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