The Health Effects of Climate Change from edX

Our world's climate is changing. Of the top twenty hottest years ever recorded, sixteen have occurred in the last two decades. This warming has already had a profound effect. Many feel powerless in the face of this challenge, but you can make a difference.

By looking at air quality, nutrition, infectious diseases, and human migration, this course will show you how increases in greenhouse gases impact public health. Experts working in a variety of settings will present their recommendations for responding to these challenges, and interested students will have the opportunity to learn about the research methods that measure the health effects of climate change.

Created with support from the Harvard Global Health Institute, this course will explain how climate change impacts people around the globe, but also how it directly affects you and your life. Though your riskrises with the rising global temperatures, climate change is a solvable problem, and there are things you can do to mitigate that risk.

This course is not an elegy for the planet, but a call to action. Enroll now to learn what you can do to reduce the harm caused by global warming.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Climate change's impacts on nutrition, migration, and infectious diseases
The research methods used in this field
Strategies to mitigate and adapt to the health impacts of climate change

How changes in earth's atmosphere affect health outcomes
How to assess the various ways of addressing the health effects of global warming

Climate change's impacts on nutrition, migration, and infectious diseases
The research methods used in this field
Strategies to mitigate and adapt to the health impacts of climate change
How changes in earth's atmosphere affect health outcomes
How to assess the various ways of addressing the health effects of global warming

Syllabus

Health -- The Human Face of Climate ChangeIn this week you'll meet the professors, get used to the edX environment, andreceive an overview of the pathways from climate change to human health outcomes. This week also includes a Climate Science Mini-Course for those who haven't studied the greenhouse effect or the effects of carbon dioxide before.

Heat & Air QualityFrom here on, our coursewill be focused on answering a set of questions each week. This week: How does climate change affect heat-related illness? What does climate change have to do with air quality? What can be done to prevent heat exposure?

InfectionsHow does climate change impact water-borne diseases (like cholera and dysentery) and vector-borne diseases (such as malaria and dengue)? Will there be more outbreaks of water-borne diseases in a warming world? How will the range of disease vectors such as mosquitos and ticks shift with changes in temperature and rainfall?

NutritionWill we grow more crops or fewer in a hotter world? Will those crops be more nutritious, or less? What about the pests that feed on those crops? How will marine fisheries adapt to a warmer and more acidic ocean?

MigrationWhat happens when ambient temperatures exceed human tolerances? When storms, droughts and, extreme weather displace people - where do they go and what are the health consequences? What will happen to the inhabitants of small island states that will be wiped off the map by sea level rise?? What is it like to live as a climate refugee, both mentally and physically?

Research MethodsClimate change's impact on health can be gradual and progressive, emerging over years or even decades. How can one identify the relevant datasets to understand these emerging health impacts of climate change time series analysis? How can we address challenges of physical and temporal scale?

Responding to Climate ChangeIn our final week, we ask: What can nations, cities, and individuals do to respond to climate change? What are our options in terms of migration, adaptation, or even intervention? And given what we can do, what should we do?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides expertise in Public Health designed for a broad audience

Helps learners understand health impacts of climate change

Equips learners to assess health effects of climate change

Teaches strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change

Instructed by experts in the field of Public Health

Requires no prerequisites

Reviews summary

Climate change health effects

Learners say this course provides a comprehensive overview of the health effects of climate change. The well-paced course includes helpful interviews to supplement the readings.

This course includes useful links to supplemental resources.

"Possible health effects of the changing climate are explored comprehensively, with plenty of links to interesting resources."

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the topic.

"Possible health effects of the changing climate are explored comprehensively, with plenty of links to interesting resources."

This course includes helpful interviews with experts.

"The material is well-paced, and there are many helpful interviews to supplement the readings."

This course is well-paced and easy to follow.

"The material is well-paced, and there are many helpful interviews to supplement the readings."

You may need to purchase a certificate for some graded assignments.

"Just be warned; many of the actual graded assignments require you to purchase the certificate!"

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 The Health Effects of Climate Change with these activities:

Organize course materials and notes

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Improves organization and retention of course content.

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Compile and sort lecture notes, readings, and assignments.
Create a system for organizing and storing materials.

Review epidemiology textbook

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Refreshes understanding of epidemiology principles essential for this course.

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Read highlighted chapters of assigned textbook.
Retake practice chapter quizzes.
Summarize important concepts.

Volunteer at a local climate change organization

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Provides hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the impacts of climate change on local communities.

Browse courses on Community Involvement

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Research local climate change organizations.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Four other activities

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Weekly study group discussions

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Encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of course concepts.

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Form study groups with classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss course material, share insights, and quiz each other.

Expound on real-world case study examples

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Provides a deeper dive into key case studies covered in the course, encouraging a critical understanding.

Browse courses on Case Studies

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Select a case study example from the course.
Research additional information about the case.
Create a presentation or written report that explains the case study in detail.

Design a public health campaign on climate change

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Applies course concepts to a practical project, fostering a deeper understanding of public health strategies.

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Research public health campaigns and best practices.
Develop a campaign concept that addresses a specific climate change health impact.
Create campaign materials, such as a website, social media posts, or brochures.

Read The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of extinctions and highlights the urgent need to address climate change.

View The Sixth Extinction (Tenth Anniversary Edition) on Amazon

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Career center

Learners who complete The Health Effects of Climate Change will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists assess and control environmental factors that can affect human health. This course may be useful to you as it covers the health effects of climate change, including air quality, heat-related illness, and waterborne diseases. This knowledge can help you develop and implement policies to protect public health from climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Scientist

Climate Policy Analyst

Climate Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies that address climate change. This course may be useful to you as it provides an overview of climate science and its effects on human health. This knowledge can help you develop and advocate for policies that mitigate climate change and protect public health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies that affect the health of populations. This course may be useful to you as it covers the health effects of climate change and strategies for mitigating and adapting to these impacts. This knowledge can help you develop and advocate for policies that protect public health from climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes and patterns of health and disease in populations. This course may be useful to you as it covers the health effects of climate change, including infectious diseases and nutrition. This knowledge can help you conduct research and develop strategies to prevent and control climate-related health problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses work to protect and improve the health of communities. This course may be useful to you as it covers the health effects of climate change and strategies for mitigating and adapting to these impacts. This knowledge can help you provide care to vulnerable populations and advocate for policies that promote public health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nurse

Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and manage cities and towns. This course may be useful to you as it covers the health effects of climate change, including heat-related illness, air pollution, and displacement. This knowledge can help you create sustainable and resilient communities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers use the law to protect the environment and public health. This course may be useful to you as it covers the health effects of climate change and strategies for mitigating and adapting to these impacts. This knowledge can help you develop and enforce laws that protect public health from climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer

Climate Scientist

Climate Scientists study the Earth's climate system and its interactions with the environment. This course may be useful to you as it provides an overview of climate science and its effects on human health. This knowledge can help you conduct research and develop policies to address climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Scientist

Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Program Manager

NGO Program Managers lead and manage programs that address social and environmental issues. This course may be useful to you as it covers the health effects of climate change and strategies for mitigating and adapting to these impacts. This knowledge can help you develop and implement programs that promote public health and environmental sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Program Manager

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help organizations to become more sustainable. This course may be useful to you as it covers the health effects of climate change and strategies for mitigating and adapting to these impacts. This knowledge can help you advise clients on how to reduce their environmental impact and promote public health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. This course may be useful to you as it covers the health effects of climate change, including heat-related illness, air pollution, and infectious diseases. This knowledge can help you provide care to patients who are affected by climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants provide advice and guidance on environmental issues. This course may be useful to you as it covers the health effects of climate change and strategies for mitigating and adapting to these impacts. This knowledge can help you advise clients on how to reduce their environmental impact and protect public health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability initiatives within organizations. This course may be useful to you as it covers strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change's health impacts. This knowledge can help you make informed decisions and contribute to a more sustainable future.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use data to make informed decisions and solve problems. This course may be useful to you as it covers research methods used in the field of climate change and health. This knowledge can help you analyze and interpret data related to the health effects of climate change.

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Medical Writer

Medical Writers produce documentation, reports, and publications that help people understand medical and healthcare information. This course can help you build a foundation in climate change's health effects and ways of addressing them. This is a critical perspective for those who wish to effectively communicate about health and medicine.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer