Climate change impacts everyone — from record-breaking heat waves, to physical and mental health impacts, to food shortages. Understanding the science behind climate change provides you with the foundational knowledge necessary for taking action in your community and enhancing your career. No matter your age, job, goals, or interests, this course will enable you to meaningfully engage with one of the defining challenges facing humanity today.
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Climate change impacts everyone — from record-breaking heat waves, to physical and mental health impacts, to food shortages. Understanding the science behind climate change provides you with the foundational knowledge necessary for taking action in your community and enhancing your career. No matter your age, job, goals, or interests, this course will enable you to meaningfully engage with one of the defining challenges facing humanity today.
Climate change impacts everyone — from record-breaking heat waves, to physical and mental health impacts, to food shortages. Understanding the science behind climate change provides you with the foundational knowledge necessary for taking action in your community and enhancing your career. No matter your age, job, goals, or interests, this course will enable you to meaningfully engage with one of the defining challenges facing humanity today.
What is the evidence for climate change? What key concepts describe the physical science of climate change? And are there ways to predict how the climate could change in the future? This short course provides everyone an entry-level overview of climate change science, with no science background needed!
By the end of the course, you should be able to explain the causes of climate change and its impacts. Along the way, you’ll be given opportunities to consider how to apply this knowledge in your own life or career. Learning about climate science is the first step in your journey to becoming a more engaged global citizen as you help determine our planet’s future.
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Syllabus
Evidence of a Warming Planet
Welcome to Climate Science for Everyone! We’ll begin this week by introducing the course and explaining why understanding climate change science is important to you. Then, we’ll quickly discuss a short history of climate change science. Finally, you will learn about the increase in global average surface temperature since the pre-industrial era in the context of international agreements to limit warming. This will provide foundational knowledge for the rest of the course material.
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Syllabus
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Activities
Review: The End of Nature by Bill McKibben
Show steps
Gain insights into the historical context and cultural impact of climate change.
View
The Best American Science and Nature Writing...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
-
Summarize the main arguments and evidence presented in the book.
-
Reflect on how the book has influenced your understanding of climate change.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Calculations Practice
Show steps
Solve practice problems to reinforce your understanding of greenhouse gas emissions calculations.
Show steps
-
Gather practice problems from online resources or textbooks.
-
Identify the relevant formulas and concepts for calculating greenhouse gas emissions.
-
Solve the practice problems step-by-step, showing your work.
-
Check your answers against the provided solutions.
Climate Data Analysis Practice
Show steps
Strengthen your data analysis skills by practicing with climate-related data.
Show steps
-
Acquire climate data from reputable sources.
-
Use statistical software to analyze the data.
-
Identify trends and patterns in the data.
-
Draw conclusions based on your analysis.
Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Volunteer with a Local Environmental Organization
Show steps
Gain practical experience and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.
Show steps
-
Research local environmental organizations and identify one that aligns with your interests.
-
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
-
Commit to a regular volunteering schedule.
-
Participate in activities such as cleanups, restoration projects, or educational events.
Climate Modeling Tutorial
Show steps
Enhance your grasp of climate change science through guided tutorials on climate modeling techniques.
Browse courses on
Climate Modeling
Show steps
-
Find online tutorials or courses on climate modeling.
-
Follow the instructions in the tutorial to set up the necessary software and data.
-
Run the climate model and analyze the results.
-
Compare your results with real-world climate data.
Climate Change Policy Workshop
Show steps
Engage with experts and practitioners to deepen your understanding of climate change policy.
Show steps
-
Identify and register for a relevant workshop.
-
Prepare by researching key policy issues and stakeholders.
-
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions.
-
Network with other attendees and explore potential collaborations.
Climate Change Awareness Campaign Proposal
Show steps
Develop a proposal for a climate change awareness campaign that aligns with course concepts.
Show steps
-
Identify a specific target audience for your campaign.
-
Research effective climate change communication strategies.
-
Design a campaign plan that includes clear goals, objectives, and activities.
-
Create a budget and timeline for your campaign.
-
Present your proposal to your instructor or peers for feedback.
Climate Change Action Plan
Show steps
Apply your course knowledge to create a comprehensive plan for addressing climate change.
Show steps
-
Identify specific climate change impacts relevant to your community.
-
Research and evaluate potential solutions.
-
Develop a plan that includes具体的な actions, timelines, and resources.
-
Share your plan with local stakeholders and decision-makers.
Review: The End of Nature by Bill McKibben
Show steps
Gain insights into the historical context and cultural impact of climate change.
View
The Best American Science and Nature Writing...
on Amazon
Show steps
- Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
- Summarize the main arguments and evidence presented in the book.
- Reflect on how the book has influenced your understanding of climate change.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Calculations Practice
Show steps
Solve practice problems to reinforce your understanding of greenhouse gas emissions calculations.
Show steps
- Gather practice problems from online resources or textbooks.
- Identify the relevant formulas and concepts for calculating greenhouse gas emissions.
- Solve the practice problems step-by-step, showing your work.
- Check your answers against the provided solutions.
Climate Data Analysis Practice
Show steps
Strengthen your data analysis skills by practicing with climate-related data.
Show steps
- Acquire climate data from reputable sources.
- Use statistical software to analyze the data.
- Identify trends and patterns in the data.
- Draw conclusions based on your analysis.
Volunteer with a Local Environmental Organization
Show steps
Gain practical experience and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.
Show steps
- Research local environmental organizations and identify one that aligns with your interests.
- Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
- Commit to a regular volunteering schedule.
- Participate in activities such as cleanups, restoration projects, or educational events.
Climate Modeling Tutorial
Show steps
Enhance your grasp of climate change science through guided tutorials on climate modeling techniques.
Browse courses on
Climate Modeling
Show steps
- Find online tutorials or courses on climate modeling.
- Follow the instructions in the tutorial to set up the necessary software and data.
- Run the climate model and analyze the results.
- Compare your results with real-world climate data.
Climate Change Policy Workshop
Show steps
Engage with experts and practitioners to deepen your understanding of climate change policy.
Show steps
- Identify and register for a relevant workshop.
- Prepare by researching key policy issues and stakeholders.
- Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions.
- Network with other attendees and explore potential collaborations.
Climate Change Awareness Campaign Proposal
Show steps
Develop a proposal for a climate change awareness campaign that aligns with course concepts.
Show steps
- Identify a specific target audience for your campaign.
- Research effective climate change communication strategies.
- Design a campaign plan that includes clear goals, objectives, and activities.
- Create a budget and timeline for your campaign.
- Present your proposal to your instructor or peers for feedback.
Climate Change Action Plan
Show steps
Apply your course knowledge to create a comprehensive plan for addressing climate change.
Show steps
- Identify specific climate change impacts relevant to your community.
- Research and evaluate potential solutions.
- Develop a plan that includes具体的な actions, timelines, and resources.
- Share your plan with local stakeholders and decision-makers.
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