Climate Change Science and Negotiations from edX

The time to address climate change is now. The mean surface temperature of the Earth has risen dangerously and spurred devastating impacts – and not just on natural ecosystems worldwide, but on daily human life. We are currently on pace towards a temperature increase of 4°C or more this century, while scientists and policymakers propose targets of just 1-2°C to avoid the total destruction of the planet.

In this course, learn solutions to mitigate the effects of the global greenhouse gas emissions causing temperature rise, and how to apply these solutions in different national contexts improvements.

Please note:

This course was created before the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP21 – in Paris. While the political situation has shifted rapidly, this course provides a solid overview of the science behind climate change and the process of creating the Paris Agreement.
Climate Change Science and Negotiations is a single-semester course. Please ignore all references to a second semester.

This course is for:

Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students in the fields of sustainable development, environmental science, sustainable business, international relations or related fields who are interested in the latest on climate change
Climate change activists who want a concise overview of the current issues shaping debate and action
Sustainable development practitioners – as well as private-sector actors, such as corporate sustainability and responsibility groups and those who work in the technology or energy industries – who need to understand key issues and facts about climate change, including emissions targets and emerging regulations

What's inside

Learning objectives

The basics of climate change, energy balance, and emissions
The 2°c limit and why it’s important

The role of nuclear power, electric vehicles, and other technologies
The process of global negotiations and agreements to regulate climate change

The basics of climate change, energy balance, and emissions
The 2°c limit and why it’s important
The role of nuclear power, electric vehicles, and other technologies
The process of global negotiations and agreements to regulate climate change

Syllabus

Module 1: Towards a New Climate Change Agreement

The Challenge of Human Induced Climate Change

The History of Climate Change Science

The UNFCCC

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for students with an academic or professional interest in sustainable development and climate change mitigation strategies

Provides a comprehensive overview of climate change science, mitigation technologies, and international negotiations

Led by renowned instructors Jeffrey D. Sachs and Emmanuel Guérin, experts in sustainable development and climate change

Despite being created before COP21, offers a solid foundation for understanding the ongoing climate change discourse

Reviews summary

Climate science basics and pre-cop21 negotiations

According to learners, this course provides a clear and accessible foundation in climate change science, covering essential concepts like the Earth's energy balance and the 2°C limit. Many students praise the structure and the expert instructors for making complex topics understandable. The course also details the history of international climate negotiations leading up to COP21. However, a significant number of reviewers note that the focus on the pre-2015 negotiation context means this part of the course feels outdated and less relevant for understanding current climate policy debates. While strong on science basics, its historical focus makes it less current on policy.

Course is organized logically by topic.

"The pace was good and the structure logical."

"Well-structured and lectures are clear."

"Found the way the course was organized helpful."

Taught by knowledgeable professionals.

"The lectures were delivered by experts."

"Experts teaching were a plus."

"Appreciated learning from such knowledgeable people in the field."

Serves as a solid introduction.

"Useful for beginners needing a broad introduction."

"Highly recommend for anyone new to the topic."

"Provides a solid understanding of the scientific basis of climate change..."

"Overall, this is a good introductory course on climate change."

Explains climate science clearly.

"This course gave me a solid foundation in climate change science."

"The modules on energy balance and the 2 degree limit were particularly clear."

"Excellent overview of climate science basics."

"Gave me a solid grasp of the scientific principles behind climate change."

Note about ignoring 2nd semester.

"Also, the 'ignore second semester' note is weird."

"The note about ignoring a second semester is confusing."

"The instruction to ignore references to a second semester was odd."

Focuses on history leading to COP21.

"My main criticism is that the negotiation part, while historically interesting, is quite outdated now that COP21 is years past."

"...the negotiation sections are really just history now. I was hoping for more on current climate policy challenges and international relations today."

"Highly disappointed with the policy/negotiation part. It's completely outdated, focusing on COP21 as a future event."

"Waste of time if you want to understand current climate negotiations. The material is old. Science part was too simple."

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 Climate Change Science and Negotiations with these activities:

Review Prerequisites

Show steps

Review basic science concepts in energy balance, greenhouse gasses, and other topics to strengthen foundational knowledge.

Show steps

Review notes from previous science courses
Read introductory articles on climate change science
Complete practice problems on energy balance and greenhouse gas effects

Create a Climate Change Resource Repository

Show steps

Organize and consolidate relevant course materials, research papers, and online resources into a central repository for easy access and reference.

Show steps

Gather and download materials from the course
Explore credible sources for additional resources
Categorize and organize the materials
Create a digital or physical repository for storage

Read The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells

Show steps

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential impacts of climate change on society and the planet.

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

Show steps

Read the book thoroughly
Take notes and highlight key passages
Reflect on the implications and challenges presented in the book

Six other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Explore Climate Change Data Visualizations

Show steps

Explore interactive data visualizations to gain a deeper understanding of climate change trends and patterns.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

Show steps

Find reputable sources for climate change data visualizations
Use online tools to create your own visualizations
Analyze and interpret the data to identify key insights

Discuss Climate Change Policies

Show steps

Engage in discussions with peers to analyze and debate different climate change policies and their potential impacts.

Show steps

Research and identify key climate change policies
Prepare talking points and arguments for each policy
Participate in group discussions and present your perspectives
Consider counterarguments and alternative viewpoints

Connect with Climate Change Experts

Show steps

Seek guidance and mentorship from professionals in the field of climate change to gain insights and expand your knowledge.

Show steps

Attend industry events and conferences
Reach out to professors, researchers, and climate change organizations
Establish relationships and request mentorship opportunities

Develop a Climate Action Plan

Show steps

Create a comprehensive plan outlining specific actions and strategies to address climate change at the local or regional level.

Browse courses on Mitigation Strategies

Show steps

Identify stakeholders and gather data on local climate impacts
Research and evaluate potential mitigation strategies
Develop a detailed action plan with timelines and responsibilities
Present the plan to decision-makers and stakeholders

Participate in Climate Change Hackathons

Show steps

Engage in hackathons focused on developing innovative solutions to climate change challenges.

Show steps

Find upcoming climate change hackathons
Form a team or collaborate with others
Brainstorm and develop a creative solution
Present your solution and compete for prizes

Contribute to Climate Change Research

Show steps

Contribute to open-source projects and initiatives related to climate change research and data analysis.

Show steps

Identify open-source projects or initiatives
Review code and documentation
Contribute bug fixes, feature enhancements, or new datasets
Collaborate with other contributors

Career center

Learners who complete Climate Change Science and Negotiations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Climate Scientist

Climate Scientists study the Earth's climate system and how it is changing over time. They use a variety of methods to collect and analyze data on the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surface. This course can help you develop a strong foundation in the science of climate change and prepare you for a career in climate research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Scientist

Climate Policy Analyst

Climate Policy Analysts are responsible for analyzing and developing climate policies and regulations. They may also work with businesses and other organizations to help them understand and comply with climate regulations. This course can help you develop a deep understanding of the science of climate change, the policy options available to address it, and the challenges of implementing these policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Policy Analyst

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Law is the practice of law that pertains to the protection of the environment, including the environment as a whole, specific ecosystems, and natural resources. It is a specialized field that primarily focuses on environmental legislation and regulations. As an Environmental Lawyer, your role is to advise clients, which may include businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, on environmental laws and regulations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer

Climate Change Adaptation Specialist

Climate Change Adaptation Specialists help communities and organizations prepare for the impacts of climate change. They may develop adaptation plans, conduct vulnerability assessments, and implement adaptation measures. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to work as a Climate Change Adaptation Specialist, including an understanding of the science of climate change, the impacts of climate change on different sectors, and adaptation strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Adaptation Specialist

Environmental Engineer

As an Environmental Engineer, you will develop solutions to the environmental issues resulting from pollution and the depletion of natural resources by applying principles of engineering, science, and economics. A course on Climate Change Science & Negotiations may help you grasp the complex issues surrounding climate change impacts and mitigation strategies, which you can then apply to your role as an Environmental Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Geoscientist

Geoscientists study the Earth's physical features and processes. This includes studying the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and interior. As a Geoscientist, you may work in a variety of fields, including climate science, environmental science, and resource exploration. This course can help you gain a strong foundation in the Earth's climate system and prepare you for a career in geoscience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geoscientist

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants provide advice to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations on environmental issues, helping them to comply with environmental regulations and standards and develop more environmentally sustainable practices. This course can help you develop a solid understanding of the science behind climate change and the international agreements and negotiations surrounding it, which will be valuable in your role as an Environmental Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Environmental Economist

Environmental Economists apply economic principles to environmental issues, such as pollution, climate change, and resource depletion. As an Environmental Economist, you will use your knowledge of economics to develop policies and regulations to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful Environmental Economist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Economist

Renewable Energy Engineer

Renewable Energy Engineers design, develop, and maintain renewable energy systems, such as solar panels and wind turbines. As a Renewable Energy Engineer, you will play a key role in the transition to a clean energy future. This course can help you understand the science of climate change and the role of renewable energy in mitigating its effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Engineer

Sustainability Manager

As a Sustainability Manager, you will work with a company's management to help set the overall sustainability vision and goals, and develop and implement sustainability initiatives. You will play a crucial role in developing strategies to reduce the company's impact on the environment, which may include developing climate change mitigation strategies. A course on Climate Change Science & Negotiations can help you gain insights into the science behind climate change and the challenges of mitigating its effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help businesses and organizations develop and implement sustainability strategies that are both environmentally and financially sustainable. As a Sustainability Consultant, you will play a key role in helping businesses reduce their environmental impact and become more sustainable. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful Sustainability Consultant, including an understanding of the science of climate change and the principles of sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Environmental Journalist

Environmental Journalists cover environmental issues for a variety of media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, and television. They play an important role in educating the public about environmental issues and holding polluters accountable. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful Environmental Journalist, including an understanding of the science of climate change and the ability to communicate complex scientific information to a general audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Journalist

Energy Analyst

Energy Analysts study the production, consumption, and distribution of energy. They may work for government agencies, utilities, or energy companies. As an Energy Analyst, you will play a role in developing strategies to meet the world's growing energy needs while minimizing environmental impacts. This course can help you understand the challenges of climate change and the role that energy plays in mitigating its effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Analyst

City Planner

City Planners develop plans for the development and use of land in cities and towns. They work to create livable, sustainable, and resilient communities. Climate change is a major challenge facing cities around the world, and City Planners need to understand the science of climate change and the impacts it will have on cities. This course can help City Planners develop the knowledge and skills needed to plan for a sustainable future.

See salaries and explore the career path for City Planner

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They are responsible for developing and implementing programs, managing staff, and fundraising. Climate change is a major issue for many nonprofit organizations, and Nonprofit Managers need to understand the science of climate change and its impacts on their communities. This course can help Nonprofit Managers develop the knowledge and skills needed to lead their organizations in the fight against climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager