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How Do We Manage Climate Change?

In this course, learners will identify the types of actions that we can pursue to address climate change. These actions fall into two broad categories: 1) mitigation, which refers to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or enhance carbon sinks, and 2) adaptation, which refers to our preparations for climate impacts. We will explore the technologies, programs, and policies related to both mitigation and adaptation. Learners should leave the course with an improved ability to identify and evaluate climate actions undertaken by communities, governments, and businesses.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Overview of Climate Action

We will define and discuss examples of mitigation and adaptation.

Reducing Emissions

We will dive deeper into climate mitigation, examining the various strategies for reducing emissions. We will also explore some of the policy tools, like carbon pricing, that can motivate and accelerate emissions reductions.

Managing Climate Risk Through Adaptation

We will define climate risk, and demonstrate how adaptation strategies attempt to address different drivers of risk.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for beginners seeking foundation in understanding climate action

Examines strategies for reducing emissions, a key concern in climate action

Explores methods for adapting to climate impacts, a vital skill in a changing climate

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Reviews summary

Climate management guide

According to students, this course is a great overview of climate mitigation and adaptation. It is part of a 3-part series and builds on the previous courses. The course is well received because of its informative lectures and quizzes. The professor is experienced and adds value to the material. The final assignment is an infographic, but there are no instructions for submitting it. The field only accepts text, so uploading a file is not possible. Students recommend that Coursera fixes this issue.

Experienced.

"Joseph Casola's experience adds a lot of value."

Informative.

"very informative course"

"Good lectures on mitigation and adaptation."

"nice look at both mitigations and adaptations"

Issue with infographic submission.

"no way to submit a file as your assignement submission -- the field only allows for text"

"nor are there any instructions for ways to do file sharing."

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 How Do We Manage Climate Change? with these activities:

Volunteer for Climate Action Organizations

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Provides hands-on experience and a sense of purpose in contributing to climate action.

Browse courses on Climate Change Mitigation

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Research climate action organizations in your community.
Identify organizations that align with your interests and skills.
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Commit to a regular volunteer schedule.

Attend Webinars or Conferences on Climate Action

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Provides opportunities to connect with experts and learn about the latest trends in climate action.

Browse courses on Climate Change Mitigation

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Search for upcoming webinars or conferences on climate action.
Register for the event and attend.
Take notes and ask questions during the event.
Connect with other attendees on LinkedIn or social media.

Participate in Climate Action Planning Workshops

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Engages in the practical aspects of developing and implementing climate action strategies in a real-world setting.

Browse courses on Climate Change Mitigation

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Identify local organizations hosting climate action planning workshops.
Register and attend the workshops.
Actively participate in discussions and exercises.
Contribute ideas and perspectives.

Four other activities

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Read and summarize Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming

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Helps build a strong foundation in comprehensive strategies for mitigating climate change.

View Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever... on Amazon

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Read one chapter of Drawdown each week.
Identify the key takeaways from each chapter.
Summarize the key takeaways in your own words.

Calculate Your Carbon Footprint and Develop a Plan to Reduce It

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Provides practical experience in assessing and reducing personal contributions to climate change.

Browse courses on Climate Change Mitigation

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Use an online carbon calculator to estimate your carbon footprint.
Identify areas where you can reduce your emissions.
Develop a plan to implement these reductions.
Monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

Follow Tutorials on Carbon Capture and Storage Technologies

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Deepens understanding of promising technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Browse courses on Climate Change Mitigation

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Identify reputable sources for carbon capture and storage tutorials.
Complete tutorials on various aspects of the technology.
Take notes and summarize key concepts.

Create a Blog or Social Media Posts Sharing Your Knowledge on Climate Action

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Develops written and communication skills while sharing knowledge and raising awareness about climate action.

Browse courses on Climate Change Mitigation

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Choose a platform for your content.
Brainstorm topics related to climate action.
Write or create content that is informative and engaging.
Share your content with others using relevant hashtags.

Career center

Learners who complete How Do We Manage Climate Change? will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Climate Scientist

Climate Scientists conduct research to understand the science of climate change. They develop and use models to predict future climate change and its impacts on the environment. This course helps build a foundation for a career in Climate Science by providing an overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for developing climate models and projections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Scientist

Climate Policy Analyst

Climate Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies to address climate change. They work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, and think tanks to research and develop policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote climate adaptation. This course helps build a foundation for a career in Climate Policy Analysis by providing an overview of climate change and the actions we can take to address it. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for developing climate policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Policy Analyst

Climate Adaptation Specialist

Climate Adaptation Specialists help communities and organizations prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change. They develop and implement plans to reduce the risks and vulnerability of communities to climate change. This course helps build a foundation for a career in Climate Adaptation by providing an overview of climate change and its impacts on communities and organizations. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for developing climate adaptation plans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Adaptation Specialist

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants develop and implement plans to help businesses and organizations operate in a more sustainable way. They help organizations become more environmentally friendly through advising and implementing changes to their operations. This course helps build a foundation for a career in Sustainability Consulting by providing an overview of climate change and the actions we can take to address it. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for developing sustainability plans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Renewable Energy Specialist

Renewable Energy Specialists develop and implement renewable energy projects. They work for government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations to develop and implement projects to generate renewable energy from sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. This course helps build a foundation for a career in Renewable Energy by providing an overview of climate change and the actions we can take to address it. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for developing renewable energy projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Specialist

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists conduct research and monitoring to understand the condition of the environment. They provide technical advice and support for environmental regulations and policies. This course helps build a foundation for a career in Environmental Science by providing an overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for developing environmental policies and regulations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Environmental Educator

Environmental Educators develop and deliver educational programs about the environment. They work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, and schools to teach people about environmental issues and promote environmental stewardship. This course helps build a foundation for a career in Environmental Education by providing an overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for developing environmental education programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Educator

Energy Efficiency Consultant

Energy Efficiency Consultants help businesses and organizations reduce their energy consumption. They conduct energy audits and develop and implement plans to reduce energy waste. This course helps build a foundation for a career in Energy Efficiency Consulting by providing an overview of climate change and the actions we can take to address it. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for developing energy efficiency plans.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. They work for government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations to develop and implement solutions to reduce pollution, protect natural resources, and restore damaged ecosystems. This course helps build a foundation for a career in Environmental Engineering by providing an overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for developing environmental engineering solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Meteorologist

Meteorologists study the Earth's atmosphere and weather. They work for government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations to forecast the weather, track storms, and research climate change. This course may be useful for aspiring Meteorologists by providing an overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for understanding the meteorological impacts of climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Meteorologist

Science Writer

Science Writers communicate complex scientific information to the public. They work for newspapers, magazines, websites, and other media outlets to write articles, reports, and other content about science and technology. This course may be useful for aspiring Science Writers by providing an overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for understanding the scientific aspects of climate change.

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Hydrologist

Hydrologists study the Earth's water resources. They work for government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations to manage water resources, assess water quality, and research climate change. This course may be useful for aspiring Hydrologists by providing an overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for understanding the hydrologic impacts of climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hydrologist

Oceanographer

Oceanographers study the Earth's oceans and seas. They work for government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations to explore the ocean, study marine life, and research climate change. This course may be useful for aspiring Oceanographers by providing an overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for understanding the oceanographic impacts of climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Oceanographer

Geologist

Geologists study the Earth's physical structure and history. They work for government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations to explore for natural resources, assess environmental hazards, and develop geologic maps. This course may be useful for aspiring Geologists by providing an overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for understanding the geologic impacts of climate change.

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Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers specialize in environmental law and represent clients in environmental cases. They work for government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations to enforce environmental laws and protect the environment. This course may be useful for aspiring Environmental Lawyers by providing an overview of climate change and its impacts on the environment. It also covers mitigation and adaptation strategies, which are essential for developing environmental laws and regulations.

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Reading list

We've selected 12 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 How Do We Manage Climate Change?.

Climate Change 2022 - Mitigation of Climate Change...

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The Sixth Assessment Report is the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the science of climate change. It is an essential reference for anyone who wants to stay informed on the latest research on climate change.

How Do We Manage Climate Change?

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Climate management guide

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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