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Prof Dr Mahesh Shelar

Climate change is our ultimate challenge ,challenge of survival of mankind.

Governments all over the world have accepted that man made emissions. namely anthropogenic emissions are responsible for climate change

Climate scientists all over the world have expressed concern about climate change and advised governments to act upon it.

Though a school of climate change deniers exist,near consensus is in favour of human induced climate change crisis

Agreements about reducing emissions are discussed and the issue of detailing remains controversial

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Climate change is our ultimate challenge ,challenge of survival of mankind.

Governments all over the world have accepted that man made emissions. namely anthropogenic emissions are responsible for climate change

Climate scientists all over the world have expressed concern about climate change and advised governments to act upon it.

Though a school of climate change deniers exist,near consensus is in favour of human induced climate change crisis

Agreements about reducing emissions are discussed and the issue of detailing remains controversial

To understand the debate of climate change ,key concepts like carbon footprint, carbon taxes,emissions trading ,cap and trade ,carbon offsets should be internalised

This course is an introductory course and easy to understand course designed for everyone interested in environmental and climate change issues

This course will empower the students to understand and apply how carbon footprint calculations are done

Students would be exposed to the policy discussions around climate change especially proposals like carbon taxes and cap and trade scheme adopted by several governments to combat climate change

It will be a fun course and extremely rewarding course giving tremendous insights about the issues

Lectures include

Carbon foot print introduction in context of climate change

Carbon footprint calculations for a family

Carbon footprint calculations for industry

Carbon taxes and climate change

Cap and trade scheme

Carbon offsets

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What's inside

Learning objective

Carbon footprint ,carbon taxes ,market mechanisms to reduce carbon footprint

Syllabus

Introduction to Carbon footprint
Carbon footprint 01
Carbon footprint 02
Carbon footprint 03
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides an introduction to key concepts like carbon footprint, carbon taxes, emissions trading, and carbon offsets, which are essential for understanding climate change debates
Exposes learners to policy discussions around climate change, including carbon taxes and cap and trade schemes, which are actively adopted by governments worldwide
Explores carbon footprint calculations for families and industries, offering practical insights into quantifying and mitigating environmental impact at different scales
Examines emissions trading and cap and trade schemes, which are market mechanisms used by governments to incentivize carbon reduction and promote sustainable practices

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Reviews summary

Clear introduction to carbon concepts

According to learners, this course provides a great introductory overview of critical environmental concepts. Many found it clear and easy to understand, making it ideal for beginners seeking to build awareness. It covers key concepts such as carbon footprints, carbon taxes, and emissions trading effectively at a foundational level. However, some students noted that the course lacks depth for those with prior knowledge or seeking more advanced, professional applications, suggesting it serves best as a starting point rather than a comprehensive guide.
Explores essential carbon terminology.
"Liked the topics presented and explained with simple language."
"It covers basics of the concepts well..."
"I became familiar with the complex topics."
"I learned the terminology for this topic."
"The course covered carbon taxes, emissions trading, and carbon footprints."
Helpful example of calculating footprint.
"Very practical, I liked learning about how to calculate my own carbon footprint."
"Helpful in understanding how to calculate personal carbon footprint."
"The footprint calculations were particularly insightful for me."
Excellent introduction for beginners.
"Great introduction course, very easy to understand."
"It was very easy to understand and I learned a lot from it."
"Good starting point about understanding basic idea about carbon footprint."
"This is a very basic, good, and easy to understand introduction for someone who is not involved into the topic yet."
"The course is a great Introduction to the topic. The main concepts are well explained."
Too basic for advanced learners.
"The course is really introductory, not much depth on some of the topics."
"This course is very basic, only touch the surface of the topics."
"I wished the calculations part, specially regarding industries were more in deep."
"It is too basic for someone who already has some idea about carbon footprints."
"While a good introduction, I found it very brief."

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 Carbon footprint , Carbon Taxes and Emissions trading with these activities:
Review Basic Economics Concepts
Refresh your understanding of basic economic principles to better grasp the mechanisms behind carbon taxes and emissions trading.
Browse courses on Supply and Demand
Show steps
  • Review introductory economics textbooks or online resources.
  • Practice applying economic concepts to environmental issues.
Review 'An Inconvenient Truth' by Al Gore
Gain a broader understanding of the climate change crisis and the need for carbon reduction strategies.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key arguments and evidence.
  • Reflect on the policy implications discussed in the book.
Calculate Your Personal Carbon Footprint
Apply the concepts learned in the course by calculating your own carbon footprint and identifying areas for reduction.
Show steps
  • Gather data on your energy consumption, transportation, and diet.
  • Use an online carbon footprint calculator to estimate your emissions.
  • Analyze your results and identify areas where you can reduce your footprint.
  • Document your findings in a short report or presentation.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Create a Presentation on Carbon Tax Pros and Cons
Deepen your understanding of carbon taxes by researching and presenting the arguments for and against their implementation.
Show steps
  • Research the economic and environmental impacts of carbon taxes.
  • Identify the key arguments for and against carbon taxes.
  • Create a presentation outlining the pros and cons of carbon taxes.
  • Present your findings to a group or online forum.
Review 'This Changes Everything' by Naomi Klein
Explore the broader political and economic context of climate change and carbon reduction policies.
Show steps
  • Read the book and identify the author's main arguments.
  • Reflect on the implications of the book for carbon tax and emissions trading policies.
Design a Carbon Offset Project
Apply your knowledge of carbon offsets by designing a hypothetical project that reduces or removes carbon emissions.
Show steps
  • Research different types of carbon offset projects.
  • Identify a specific project idea and location.
  • Develop a project plan, including goals, activities, and budget.
  • Estimate the potential carbon reduction or removal of your project.
  • Present your project design to a group or online forum.

Career center

Learners who complete Carbon footprint , Carbon Taxes and Emissions trading will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Carbon Market Analyst
A Carbon Market Analyst specializes in understanding and predicting trends in carbon markets, which are driven by mechanisms like emissions trading and carbon offsets. This role requires a deep understanding of the policies and regulations that govern these markets. This course directly addresses this need by exposing students to policy discussions around climate change proposals, such as carbon taxes and cap and trade schemes. The course's content on carbon footprint calculations helps you assess the potential impact of different policies on emission levels. Aspiring Carbon Market Analysts may find this course a helpful introduction to the complexities of carbon trading.
Sustainability Consultant
A Sustainability Consultant helps organizations reduce their environmental impact and improve their sustainability practices. This often involves analyzing their current operations and recommending strategies to lower their carbon footprint. This course empowers you to understand and apply how carbon footprint calculations are done, which helps you assess a company's environmental impact. By covering carbon taxes, emissions trading, cap and trade, and carbon offsets, the course gives you the policy knowledge needed to make informed recommendations. For anyone thinking about becoming a Sustainability Consultant, this course offers a practical introduction to the core concepts.
Carbon Project Developer
A Carbon Project Developer creates and manages projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions, often generating carbon credits for trading. The course provides exposure to policy discussions around climate change, especially carbon offsets which are important for carbon project development. This role requires a deep understanding of carbon accounting and verification methodologies. The course's focus on carbon footprint calculations helps you quantify the emission reductions achieved by different projects. Aspiring Carbon Project Developers might find this course a helpful introduction to the practical aspects of carbon offsetting.
Environmental Policy Analyst
An Environmental Policy Analyst researches and analyzes environmental policies and regulations, providing recommendations to government agencies, organizations, or companies. A key part of this role is comprehending the economic and regulatory mechanisms designed to reduce emissions. Since the course covers carbon taxes, emissions trading, and cap and trade schemes, it provides a solid understanding of these policy tools. The knowledge gained in this course about carbon footprint calculations enables you to evaluate the effectiveness of different environmental policies. If you're considering a career as an Environmental Policy Analyst, this course offers valuable insights into the practical aspects of climate change mitigation.
Climate Change Consultant
A Climate Change Consultant assists organizations in understanding and adapting to the impacts of climate change. This includes assessing their carbon footprint and developing strategies to reduce emissions. This course helps build a foundation by empowering students to understand and apply how carbon footprint calculations are done. Exposure to policy discussions around climate change, especially proposals like carbon taxes and cap and trade schemes, gives you the knowledge to advise clients on mitigation strategies. Individuals who want to become a Climate Change Consultant may find this course a useful starting point.
ESG Analyst
An ESG Analyst evaluates companies based on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. This often involves assessing their carbon footprint and their strategies for reducing emissions. This course helps analysts understand and apply how carbon footprint calculations are done, which is helpful for assessing a company's environmental impact. By covering carbon taxes, emissions trading, and carbon offsets, the course gives you the policy knowledge needed to evaluate a company's sustainability efforts. Thinking about becoming an ESG Analyst? This course offers a practical introduction to the core concepts.
Environmental Economist
An Environmental Economist applies economic principles to environmental issues, such as climate change. This role often involves analyzing the costs and benefits of different policies aimed at reducing emissions. Since this course covers carbon taxes and emissions trading schemes, it provides a solid foundation in the economic mechanisms used to address climate change. The course's content on carbon footprint calculations helps you quantify the environmental impact of different activities. Those pursuing a career as an Environmental Economist, often requiring a Master's or PhD, may find this course a good introduction to the economic dimensions of climate change.
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
A Corporate Social Responsibility Manager develops and implements strategies for companies to operate in an ethical and sustainable manner. This includes reducing their carbon footprint, which is something that is taught in this course. This position works to ensure that a company meets its environmental, social, and governance goals by calculating carbon footprint for an industry. The discussions around climate change policies that are covered in this course may provide more insight for a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager. Anyone looking to work in this area might find this course particularly helpful.
Sustainability Reporting Specialist
A Sustainability Reporting Specialist is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data on an organization's environmental and social performance. This role often involves quantifying the organization's carbon footprint and disclosing its emissions reduction efforts. Since this course empowers learners to understand and apply how carbon footprint calculations are done, it directly supports this task. The policy discussions around climate change, especially proposals like carbon taxes and cap and trade schemes, may provide context for a Sustainability Reporting Specialist. For anyone looking to work in this area, this course could be helpful.
Sustainability Manager
A Sustainability Manager develops and implements sustainability programs within an organization, focusing on reducing environmental impact and promoting responsible practices. Understanding carbon footprint calculations, as taught in this course, is crucial for assessing a company's environmental performance. This role strives to ensure that a company meets its environmental, social, and governance goals. The policy discussions around climate change, especially proposals like carbon taxes and cap and trade schemes, covered in this course may provide context for a Sustainability Manager. For anyone looking to work in this area, this course may be helpful.
Energy Analyst
An Energy Analyst evaluates energy projects and policies, often with a focus on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. Understanding carbon footprint calculations is essential for assessing the environmental impact of different energy sources and technologies. This course directly addresses this need by teaching carbon footprint calculations for both families and industry. The content on carbon taxes and emissions trading also may provide valuable insights into the economic aspects of energy policy. For anyone interested in becoming an Energy Analyst, this course could be a helpful introduction to the environmental considerations within the energy sector.
Environmental Educator
An Environmental Educator develops and delivers educational programs on environmental topics, including climate change, to various audiences. The course may be helpful for those in this role as it introduces key concepts like carbon footprint, carbon taxes, emissions trading, and carbon offsets. This role requires a strong understanding of the science and policy surrounding climate change. By covering these topics, this course equips you with the knowledge to effectively communicate the issues to others. Anyone interested in becoming an Environmental Educator may find this course useful for gaining a solid foundation.
Renewable Energy Consultant
A Renewable Energy Consultant advises clients on adopting renewable energy technologies and strategies. While their main focus is not carbon in particular, the course may be applicable in a few ways. Understanding carbon footprint calculations helps you compare the environmental impact of renewable energy sources to fossil fuels. The course's content on carbon taxes and emissions trading also may provide insights into the economic incentives for renewable energy adoption. For those seeking roles as Renewable Energy Consultants, this course might be a valuable starting point.
Waste Management Consultant
A Waste Management Consultant advises organizations on strategies to reduce waste and improve recycling programs. Waste management is correlated with carbon emissions in a few ways. Understanding carbon footprint calculations helps you assess the environmental impact of different waste management practices. The course's content on carbon taxes and emissions trading may provide insights into the economic incentives for waste reduction and recycling. Individuals considering a career as a Waste Management Consultant may find this course a somewhat related starting point.
Transportation Planner
A Transportation Planner develops strategies to improve transportation systems, often with a focus on reducing traffic congestion and emissions. Transportation is correlated with carbon emissions in a few ways. Understanding carbon footprint calculations helps you assess the environmental impact of different transportation modes and policies. The course's content on carbon taxes and emissions trading may provide insights into the economic incentives for sustainable transportation planning. Individuals considering a career as a Transportation Planner may find this course a slightly related starting point.

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Carbon footprint , Carbon Taxes and Emissions trading.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the science behind climate change and its potential impacts. It useful reference for understanding the urgency of addressing carbon emissions. While somewhat dated, it remains a valuable resource for grasping the fundamental issues and the need for policy interventions like carbon taxes and emissions trading.
Explores the relationship between capitalism and climate change, arguing that market-based solutions like carbon trading are insufficient. It provides a critical perspective on the political and economic forces driving climate change. It is more valuable as additional reading to broaden the understanding of the complexities involved in addressing climate change.

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