Climate Solutions from edX

The Climate Solutions course is designed and delivered by award-winning climate change experts and educators.

It tackles the biggest challenge of our time – climate change – by giving each of us the knowledge and tools we need to make a real difference.

Designed to be accessible and engaging throughout, it provides the facts you need to know about what climate change is, and the solutions you need to know so you can be part of fighting it.

You’ll learn about the solutions needed from governments and big business, how you can help to make them do more, and what you can do yourself.

This innovative course, regardless of your background, will teach you why climate change is important, allowing you to better understand the challenge it represents and, most importantly, what you can do about it.

Core topics include:

the science behind climate change and its causes;
the impacts it is already having and could have in the future;
what governments and business need to do;
how each of us can take action, from what we do at home right through to who we vote for and what stuff we choose to buy.

Through the award-winning teaching approaches of the University of Edinburgh’s faculty team this open access course brings an engaging and action-focussed approach to tackling the climate emergency.

Taught by instructors with decades of experience in climate change and online learning, this empowering course is a collaboration between leading experts in the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

What's inside

Learning objectives

What climate change is, and what causes it
Why it’s important to you, everyone you know, and all life on our planet

What governments and big business need to do
How you can tackle climate change in every facet of your life

What climate change is, and what causes it
Why it’s important to you, everyone you know, and all life on our planet
What governments and big business need to do
How you can tackle climate change in every facet of your life

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to Climate Solutions

Introduction to climate change, its impacts and why it should matter to you.

Week 2: The Science of Climate Solutions

The causes of climate change, where emissions come from, and why ‘1.5 degrees’ and ‘Net Zero’ are the two most important numbers in the world.

Week 3: The Levers of Climate Solutions

How climate change can be tackled through actions right across societies; the strategies that can and are being used; and the need to prepare for the impacts of climate change as well as to cut emissions.

Week 4: Climate Solutions for Nations

What governments and big institutions are (and aren’t) doing so far to fight climate change, and what they need to do now.

Week 5: Climate Solutions for You

How each of us can take action, from home, work and studies, through to what we buy and who we vote for.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Uses an action-based approach to engage learners in the fight against climate change

Develops knowledge of both the science of climate change and the solutions needed to address it

Taught by award-winning climate change educators from the University of Edinburgh

Examines the actions that each of us can take to address climate change

Assumes no prior background knowledge

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 Solutions with these activities:

Discuss climate change with your friends and family

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Engage in constructive and open dialogue with your social circle to share perspectives and foster critical thinking about climate change.

Browse courses on Climate Change Communication

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Choose a topic to discuss.
Gather your friends and family.
Facilitate a discussion.

Watch a documentary about climate change

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Gain insights and visual context into the effects and impacts of climate change by watching documentaries.

Browse courses on Climate Change Impacts

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Find a climate change documentary to watch.
Watch the documentary.
Reflect on what you learned.

Review: Climate Change: The Science of Global Warming and Our Energy Future by Katharine Hayhoe

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Get a head start learning about climate science by reading this book on the science of global warming.

View Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope... on Amazon

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Purchase the book from your favourite bookstore.
Highlight key points as you read.
Take notes on the most important concepts.
Write a summary of the book.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Practice calculating carbon emissions

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Practice calculating your own carbon emissions to gain a better understanding of your impact on the environment.

Browse courses on Carbon Footprint

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Find an online carbon calculator.
Input your data into the calculator.
Calculate your carbon emissions.
Compare your emissions to others.

Write a blog post about climate change

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Share your knowledge about climate change and raise awareness about this critical issue through the creation of a blog post.

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Choose a topic for your blog post.
Research your topic.
Write your blog post.
Publish your blog post.

Create a climate action plan for your community

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Develop and present a detailed plan for local climate action to increase your understanding of the causes and effects of climate change at a community level.

Browse courses on Community Engagement

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Research the causes and effects of climate change.
Identify the most pressing climate change issues in your community.
Develop a plan to address these issues.
Present your plan to your community.

Career center

Learners who complete Climate Solutions will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Climate Change Analyst

Climate Change Analysts study, monitor, and assess the impacts that climate change has on our world. They also develop strategies and policies to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Analyst

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and the impact that humans have on it. They develop solutions to environmental problems and help to protect the environment.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help businesses and organizations to improve their environmental performance. They help to reduce their carbon footprint and to develop more sustainable practices.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts develop and analyze public policy. They work with elected officials and government agencies to develop policies that address a variety of issues, including climate change.

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Journalist

Journalists write and report on news and current events. They can specialize in a particular area, such as climate change.

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Educator

Educators teach students about a variety of subjects, including climate change. They can work in schools, colleges, or universities.

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Lawyer

Lawyers can specialize in environmental law, which focuses on the legal aspects of climate change.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts help businesses to improve their operations and performance. They can specialize in sustainability, which focuses on reducing a business's environmental impact.

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Engineer

Engineers design and develop solutions to technical problems. They can specialize in environmental engineering, which focuses on reducing the environmental impact of human activities.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and plan cities and towns. They can specialize in sustainability, which focuses on creating more sustainable communities.

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Architect

Architects design and build buildings. They can specialize in sustainable architecture, which focuses on creating buildings that have a reduced environmental impact.

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Environmental Activist

Environmental Activists work to protect the environment and to promote environmental awareness. They may work for environmental organizations or non-profits.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct research on a variety of topics, including climate change. They can work for universities, government agencies, or private companies.

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Writer

Writers write books, articles, and other forms of content. They can specialize in writing about climate change or environmental issues.

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Photographer

Photographers use photography to tell stories and to raise awareness of important issues. They can specialize in photography that focuses on climate change or environmental issues.

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