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Global Climate Change Policies and Analysis

This course explores and critically analyzes historical and contemporary climate policies (e.g. Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement). Political issues pertaining to energy sources, such as nuclear energy, will be reviewed. The course will focus on understanding key climate principles and terms surrounding policy development, specifically for low-income or developing countries/communities. Further, this course explores up-to-date technologies that are used in climate analysis.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The MS-DS is an interdisciplinary degree that brings together faculty from CU Boulder’s departments of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Science, and others. The degree offers targeted courses, short 8-week sessions, and pay-as-you-go tuition. Admission is based on performance in three preliminary courses, not academic history. CU degrees on Coursera are ideal for recent graduates or working professionals. Learn more:

MS in Data Science: https://www.coursera.org/degrees/master-of-science-data-science-boulder

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What's inside

Syllabus

Global Energy Policies

In this module, you will delve into critical aspects of energy and environmental governance, starting with an exploration of global climate policies and their effectiveness. The focus then shifts to understanding the historical development and contemporary debates surrounding nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels, examining its potential roles and challenges. The module concludes with an exploration of future energy landscapes, emphasizing renewable energy sources and their policy incentives in the United States.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides in-depth analysis of climate policies and their effectiveness

Explores the political issues pertaining to energy sources, particularly nuclear energy

Focuses on low-income or developing countries/communities

Instructors Osita Onyejekwe are recognized for their work in climate policy

Can be taken for academic credit towards a Master of Science in Data Science from CU Boulder, an accredited institution

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Reviews summary

Global climate policy insights and analysis

According to students, this course offers a largely positive and comprehensive overview of global climate change policies and analysis. Learners frequently praise the clear and concise lectures and the instructor's effective explanations of complex topics. Many found the historical context of agreements and specific modules like nuclear energy policy and natural climate impacts to be particularly insightful and relevant. However, some feedback indicates that the discussion on up-to-date analysis technologies and data science applications might be superficial for those expecting rigorous technical depth, aligning more as a strong foundation for policy-focused professionals.

Best for policy focus, less for deep data science application.

"This course is not suitable for someone who expects rigorous data science applications, despite being part of an MS-DS program."

"It serves as a strong foundation for professionals in the environmental or policy fields."

"It's a decent general overview, but not enough for someone looking for hands-on data analysis work."

Segments on nuclear energy and natural impacts are highly praised.

"especially the detailed segment on nuclear energy policy, which I found highly relevant."

"The modules on natural impacts like El Niño and glacier recession were particularly fascinating."

"The segment discussing future emission scenarios and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) was exceptionally insightful."

Complex topics are explained clearly by the instructor.

"The instructor effectively explained complex concepts..."

"The lectures were incredibly clear and concise, especially the detailed segment on nuclear energy policy..."

"It really clarified the intricate interconnections between energy, climate, and governance."

Offers a broad and insightful look at global climate policies.

"This course provided an excellent and comprehensive understanding of global climate policies."

"I particularly valued the historical context of international agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement."

"It truly offered a holistic view of the climate challenge and policy responses."

A few noted content felt outdated in parts.

"I felt much of the content was outdated, especially concerning current global policy debates beyond the Paris Agreement's immediate scope."

Some found technology & analysis tools superficial.

"The discussion on climate analysis tools felt rather superficial."

"The mentions of analysis technologies were vague and not actionable."

"The technology section was very basic and did not meet my expectations for an analytical course."

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 Global Climate Change Policies and Analysis with these activities:

Reach out to professionals in the field

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Connect with professionals in climate policy, energy, or related fields to gain insights and guidance.

Browse courses on Networking

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Identify professionals in your desired field.
Send personalized emails or LinkedIn messages introducing yourself and expressing your interest in connecting.

Read 'The Sixth Extinction' by Elizabeth Kolbert

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Gain insights on the history and potential future of climate change and extinctions from this Pulitzer Prize-winning book.

View The Sixth Extinction (Tenth Anniversary Edition) on Amazon

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Read 'The Sixth Extinction' by Elizabeth Kolbert.
Take notes and highlight important passages.
Reflect on the implications of the book for understanding climate change and its consequences.

Explore online tutorials on renewable energy technologies

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Enhance your knowledge of renewable energy sources and technologies through guided online tutorials.

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Identify reputable online platforms or educational institutions that offer tutorials on renewable energy.
Choose tutorials that align with your interests and learning goals.
Follow the tutorials, take notes, and complete any interactive exercises.

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Compile a list of resources on climate change adaptation

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Gather and organize relevant materials to enhance your understanding of climate change adaptation strategies.

Browse courses on Climate Change Adaptation

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Search for articles, reports, and websites on climate change adaptation.
Review and select resources that provide valuable insights and practical information.
Organize the resources into categories or themes for easy reference.

Solve nuclear chemistry practice problems

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Supplement your knowledge by working through nuclear chemistry problems.

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Find a set of nuclear chemistry practice problems online or in a textbook.
Work through the problems, making sure to show your work and explain your reasoning.
Check your answers and identify any areas where you need more practice.

Analyze climate data and trends

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Develop your skills in interpreting and working with climate data to assess trends and patterns.

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Access datasets from reputable sources such as NASA or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Use data visualization tools to create graphs, charts, and maps that illustrate climate trends.
Analyze the data to identify patterns, anomalies, and potential causes of climate change.

Design an infographic on the impacts of climate change

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Create an infographic to visually represent and communicate the impacts of climate change.

Browse courses on Climate Change

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Gather data and research on the impacts of climate change.
Choose a design format and layout for your infographic.
Create visuals, charts, and graphs to represent the data.
Write concise and informative text to accompany the visuals.
Finalize and share your infographic online or in a presentation.

Develop a climate action plan for your community

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Apply your knowledge and skills to create a tangible plan for addressing climate change in your local community.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Research best practices and case studies of successful climate action plans.
Gather data and assess the current greenhouse gas emissions and vulnerabilities in your community.
Engage with community stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and local government, to gather input and support.
Develop specific goals, strategies, and actions for reducing emissions and building resilience.
Create a comprehensive report outlining the plan and its implementation strategy.

Career center

Learners who complete Global Climate Change Policies and Analysis 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 Global Climate Change Policies and Analysis .

Climate Change 2021 – The Physical Science Basis

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This report is the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the science of climate change.

Global Climate Change Policies and Analysis

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Global climate policy insights and analysis

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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