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Frank Krysiak, Hannes Weigt, Ali Darudi, Madeleine Schmidt, Rebecca Lordan-Perret, and Florian Kuhlmey

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is intended for anyone interested in the topics of environmental economics and energy economics, including students at MSc or advanced BA level and policy makers. To gain the most from this course, we encourage you to examine the details of the provided model examples, which require some basic knowledge in mathematics and microeconomics. You can use the hashtag #FLfutures to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

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Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is intended for anyone interested in the topics of environmental economics and energy economics, including students at MSc or advanced BA level and policy makers. To gain the most from this course, we encourage you to examine the details of the provided model examples, which require some basic knowledge in mathematics and microeconomics. You can use the hashtag #FLfutures to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

  • Climate change and energy policies.
  • Evidence-based recommendations on current problems of energy policy.
  • Models in environmental economics and energy economics.
  • Building blocks of models and possible applications.
  • Informed decisions by the results of different modeling approaches.

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Reviews summary

Modeling for environmental and energy futures

According to students, "Exploring Possible Futures" offers a strong theoretical foundation in environmental and energy economic modeling, making it highly relevant for policymakers and advanced students. Learners consistently praise the clear lectures and the course's emphasis on practical applications for policy recommendations, making it invaluable for understanding complex policy implications. While providing a comprehensive overview, some reviewers noted a need for a solid background in microeconomics and mathematics. The course is recognized for its conceptual depth, but is generally less focused on hands-on model programming.
Excellent for understanding 'why' behind models, less 'how to program'.
"It's a great conceptual course, but don't expect deep dives into programming specific models."
"The focus on high-level economic models was not what I needed for my specific job, which involves hands-on data analysis."
"Useful for understanding the 'why' behind policy decisions rather than the 'how' of building models from scratch."
Requires a solid background in math and microeconomics.
"To gain the most from this course, we encourage you to examine the details of the provided model examples, which require some basic knowledge in mathematics and microeconomics."
"I agree with others that a good grasp of foundational economics is key."
"I struggled with the pace and the assumed level of math and economics. I felt I needed to do a lot of external reading to keep up."
Instructors provided clear explanations of complex topics.
"The lectures were clear, and the case studies provided much-needed context."
"The instructors did a fantastic job simplifying complex ideas."
"The lectures were informative, but sometimes lacked practical examples for different modeling software."
Directly applicable for policy recommendations and decisions.
"I especially appreciated the focus on practical applications for policy recommendations."
"As a policymaker, this course was invaluable."
"The blend of theory and real-world policy implications was perfect. This course significantly deepened my understanding..."
Provides robust economic models and policy analysis.
"Excellent course for anyone looking to understand the core concepts of energy and environmental economic modeling."
"It provided a robust framework for evaluating future scenarios using economic models."
"A well-structured course that tackles a complex subject effectively. The early modules laid a strong foundation."
Some wished for more hands-on practice and engagement.
"I wished there were more interactive exercises to solidify understanding."
"Found this course quite challenging... I also found the forum discussions less active than I hoped, which made clarifying doubts difficult."
"I found the assignments a bit vague at times. The lectures were informative, but sometimes lacked practical examples."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Exploring Possible Futures: Modeling in Environmental and Energy Economics. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Exploring Possible Futures: Modeling in Environmental and Energy Economics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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While not solely focused on modeling, this book provides crucial context on how data is collected, organized, and managed, which directly impacts the ability to build and validate models. It is highly relevant for professionals working with large datasets and complex data pipelines. It offers insights into contemporary data practices.
Classic in the field of animation and provides fundamental principles of movement and form that are directly applicable to 3D modeling for animation and games. While not a technical software guide, it must-read for anyone serious about creating convincing 3D models that will be animated. It focuses on the artistic and technical principles behind realistic motion.
Provides a comprehensive overview of modeling methods used in marine science, including physical, biological, and chemical models. It is an excellent resource for students and researchers interested in learning about the latest advances in marine modeling.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Earth system, including the atmosphere, ocean, land, and cryosphere. It valuable resource for students and researchers interested in learning about the latest advances in Earth system modeling.
Provides a comprehensive overview of computational modeling techniques used in biomechanics. It is an excellent resource for students and researchers interested in learning about the latest advances in computational modeling in biomechanics.
Provides a comprehensive overview of modeling and control techniques used in adaptive systems. It is an excellent resource for students and researchers interested in learning about the latest advances in modeling and control of adaptive systems.
Practical guide to data manipulation and analysis using the Python programming language and its libraries, particularly pandas. While not strictly a modeling book, proficiency in data handling prerequisite for most modeling tasks. This book is invaluable for anyone using Python for data-driven modeling.
This classic book introduces fundamental graphic representation techniques used in architecture and design. Understanding these principles is beneficial for creating clear and effective 3D models for architectural visualization and other design-related fields. It provides a strong foundation in visual communication relevant to modeling.

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