Climate Change: Carbon Capture and Storage from Coursera

The atmosphere is a shared resource and the amount of greenhouse gases it can absorb is a finite resource. This introductory course to the technology of Carbon Capture and Storage is designed for a wider audience with an interest in energy, sustainability and climate change.

The aim of Carbon Capture and Storage is to achieve

- Deep reductions in carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere

- Unlock carbon negative solutions to achieve a neutral carbon balance to the atmosphere in the 21st century

Carbon Capture and Storage makes cheap, widely available fossil fuels ‘safe to use’ in the context of the Paris Climate Change agreement of 2015. It prevents their carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere to store them permanently and safely underground.

The course is taught by a team of leading academics at the University of Edinburgh with decades of experience in this field. It aims to bridge the gap between the forefront of the latest developments in science, engineering, geology, policy and economics, and the wider public.

The aim is to help you understand this technology objectively and why it is so important in our efforts against climate change. We hope the course will make you want to find out more about climate change mitigation options and that you will continue to further educate yourself in this area.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1 - Climate Drivers

Week 2 - CCS Across the Whole Economy

Week 3 - Capturing Carbon

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Guides learners in analyzing carbon capture and storage technology to gain a deep understanding of its importance and why it is needed

Taught by a team of professors at Edinburgh University with academic experience in carbon capture and storage

Provides a comprehensive overview of the technology's impact on climate change mitigation efforts

Suitable for learners interested in energy, sustainability, and climate change

Reviews summary

Comprehensive overview of carbon capture

According to students, this course offers a highly informative and well-structured introduction to Carbon Capture and Storage. Learners praise its ability to distill a complex topic into digestible modules, making it accessible for a wider audience including those without a deep scientific background. The expert instructors from the University of Edinburgh are frequently highlighted for their clear explanations and the course's objective presentation of critical climate mitigation strategies. While many find the breadth of topics excellent, some more advanced learners indicate the course provides a foundational overview rather than an in-depth technical dive.

The weekly modules provide a well-organized and logical learning path.

"The syllabus is logically organized, building up knowledge week by week very effectively."

"I found the five-week structure to be just right for covering the material without feeling rushed."

"Well-paced, allowing enough time to absorb the information and reflect on it."

Highlights the critical importance of CCS and maintains a balanced perspective.

"The course does an amazing job of showing why CCS is so vital for climate change mitigation."

"I appreciated the balanced view on CCS, presenting both its potential and challenges fairly."

"Very timely and relevant topic, and the course handled it with a lot of objectivity."

Taught by leading academics with deep knowledge and clear presentation.

"The lecturers are clearly experts in their field and conveyed the information with authority and passion."

"Highly knowledgeable instructors who made potentially dry topics engaging and easy to grasp."

"I found the explanations from the University of Edinburgh professors to be outstanding."

Provides a clear, broad overview suitable for various backgrounds.

"This course provided a really clear and accessible introduction to CCS. I appreciated how it broke down complex ideas."

"I'm not a scientist, but the content was explained in a way that I could easily understand and follow."

"Excellent overview of CCS across different sectors, very informative without being overly technical."

Offers a strong introduction but may lack depth for specialists.

"It's an excellent overview, but don't expect to become an expert after just 5 weeks."

"If you're already familiar with the basics, this might feel a bit introductory for your needs."

"Good starting point, but I was hoping for more technical detail on specific capture technologies."

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: Carbon Capture and Storage with these activities:

Compile Course Materials

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This activity will help you to organize and review the materials for this course.

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Download all of the course materials.
Print out the course materials.
Organize the course materials into a binder or folder.

Review of Basic Chemistry and Physics

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This activity will help you to refresh your knowledge of basic chemistry and physics, which are essential for understanding the concepts of carbon capture and storage.

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Review your notes from your basic chemistry and physics courses.
Take a practice quiz on basic chemistry and physics.

Volunteer for a Carbon Capture and Storage Organization

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This activity will allow you to gain hands-on experience with carbon capture and storage technology.

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Find a carbon capture and storage organization to volunteer with.
Contact the organization and express your interest in volunteering.
Complete the volunteer training.
Volunteer at the organization.

One other activity

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MIT Open Course: Climate Change: The Science, Impacts, and Solutions

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This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the science of climate change, its impacts, and potential solutions. The course is taught by leading experts in the field and features interactive quizzes and simulations.

Browse courses on Climate Change Impacts

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Enroll in the course and watch the introductory videos.
Complete the interactive quizzes and simulations.
Read the assigned readings.
Participate in the online discussion forums.
Complete the final project.

Career center

Learners who complete Climate Change: Carbon Capture and Storage will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Carbon Capture Engineer

A Carbon Capture Engineer develops and implements technologies to capture and store carbon dioxide from various sources, such as power plants and industrial facilities. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of carbon capture and storage (CCS) principles, technologies, and industry practices. It equips learners with the knowledge to contribute effectively to the design, operation, and maintenance of CCS systems, which are critical to mitigating climate change and achieving net-zero emissions goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Carbon Capture Engineer

Geologist

A Geologist studies the Earth's geological formations and processes. They play a crucial role in identifying and characterizing suitable geological formations for carbon storage and assessing the long-term safety and integrity of CCS systems. This course provides a strong foundation in geology, particularly in the context of CCS, including topics such as geological carbon storage, site characterization, and risk assessment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geologist

Environmental Scientist

An Environmental Scientist researches and analyzes environmental issues, develops solutions, and monitors the impact of human activities on the environment. This course provides a thorough understanding of climate change, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, and their role in achieving environmental sustainability. It equips learners with the knowledge to assess the environmental impacts of CCS systems and develop strategies for mitigating potential risks.

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Chemical Engineer

A Chemical Engineer designs and operates chemical processes and systems. They play a key role in developing and optimizing carbon capture technologies, such as solvent-based systems and membrane separation. This course provides a solid foundation in chemical engineering principles, including thermodynamics, mass transfer, and reaction engineering, which are essential for understanding and designing carbon capture processes.

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Climate Policy Analyst

A Climate Policy Analyst researches, develops, and advocates for policies to address climate change. This course provides a comprehensive overview of climate change science, policy frameworks, and the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in mitigating emissions. It equips learners with the knowledge to understand the policy landscape surrounding CCS and to contribute to the development and implementation of effective climate policies.

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Energy Analyst

An Energy Analyst researches and analyzes energy markets, trends, and policies. This course provides a solid foundation in energy systems, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, and their implications for the energy sector. It equips learners with the knowledge to assess the potential of CCS to decarbonize the energy sector and to develop strategies for its integration into energy systems.

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Sustainability Consultant

A Sustainability Consultant advises organizations on environmental, social, and economic sustainability practices. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of climate change, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, and their role in achieving sustainability goals. It equips learners with the knowledge to assess the sustainability implications of CCS systems and to develop strategies for implementing sustainable CCS solutions.

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Environmental Lawyer

An Environmental Lawyer specializes in environmental law and regulations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of climate change law, carbon capture and storage (CCS) regulations, and their implications for the legal framework surrounding CCS. It equips learners with the knowledge to understand the legal aspects of CCS and to navigate the complex regulatory landscape.

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Atmospheric Scientist

An Atmospheric Scientist studies the Earth's atmosphere and its processes. This course provides a strong foundation in atmospheric science, including topics such as climate modeling, greenhouse gases, and carbon cycling. It equips learners with the knowledge to understand the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in mitigating climate change and to develop strategies for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

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Science Writer

A Science Writer communicates complex scientific concepts to a wider audience. This course provides a thorough understanding of climate change, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, and their implications for society. It equips learners with the knowledge to effectively communicate the science behind CCS and to raise awareness about its potential role in addressing climate change.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, organizes, and executes projects. This course provides a solid foundation in project management principles, including project planning, risk assessment, and stakeholder management. It equips learners with the knowledge to effectively manage carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, ensuring their successful implementation and delivery.

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Energy Economist

An Energy Economist researches and analyzes the economics of energy markets and policies. This course provides a comprehensive overview of energy economics, including topics such as energy pricing, market regulation, and the economics of climate change. It equips learners with the knowledge to assess the economic implications of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and to develop strategies for its cost-effective implementation.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to solve problems and inform decision-making. This course provides a strong foundation in data analysis techniques and tools, including statistical analysis, data visualization, and machine learning. It equips learners with the knowledge to analyze data related to carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems, identify trends, and develop insights to optimize their performance.

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Public Policy Analyst

A Public Policy Analyst researches, analyzes, and develops public policies. This course provides a comprehensive overview of public policy analysis techniques, including policy evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and risk assessment. It equips learners with the knowledge to analyze the effectiveness of carbon capture and storage (CCS) policies and to develop strategies for their improvement.

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Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager develops and implements sustainability strategies for organizations. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles and practices, including environmental management, energy efficiency, and carbon accounting. It equips learners with the knowledge to assess the environmental and social impacts of carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems and to develop strategies for their sustainable implementation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager