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University of Colorado Boulder
Exploring Our Responses to Climate Change Specialization
  1. Physical Science and Engineering
  2. Environmental Science and Sustainability
4,401 enrolled
University of Colorado Boulder

Exploring Our Responses to Climate Change Specialization

Understand the Issue, Deepen your Engagement. Build climate literacy and apply it to your household, community, or workplace.

Included with Coursera Plus

•

Learn more

3 course series
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
4.8

(113 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

None required; prior classes in earth science and experience with reading/interpreting data visualizations will be helpful (applies for all courses).

Flexible schedule
1 month at 10 hours a week
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
3 course series
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
4.8

(113 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

None required; prior classes in earth science and experience with reading/interpreting data visualizations will be helpful (applies for all courses).

Flexible schedule
1 month at 10 hours a week
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers

Overview

In this specialization, learners will gain familiarity with the key information sources that constitute the scientific consensus on the human causes of climate change and its associated impacts. We will explore the options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for impacts, drawing heavily from the Fourth US National Climate Assessment. The ultimate goal of the specialization is to empower learners to formulate their own plans for reducing emissions and adapting to future impacts, appropriate for their respective households, communities, and workplaces.

Applied Learning Project

To apply our knowledge about climate change and public opinion on the issue, learners will engage in "climate conversations" with a friend, family member, co-worker, or neighbor. We'll also assemble infographics to explain how policy action can effectively address climate risks. At the end of the specialization, we'll reflect on these projects and how they might spark climate actions happening in our households, communities, and workplaces.

  • Identify, discuss, and critique the merits and shortcomings of climate policies

  • Recognize activities that emit or capture greenhouse gases, and opportunities to reduce emissions/enhance sinks.

  • Identify climate risks where you live, and opportunities to manage risks.

  • Serve as a resource for others on climate issues in their community or at their workplace.

  • Define key terms associated with climate science, climate impacts, and climate policy

  • Accurately interpret climate information contained in data visualizations (e.g., charts, graphs, maps)

Skills you'll gain

  • Energy and Utilities
  • Political Sciences
  • Community Development
  • Environmental Policy
  • Scientific Methods
  • Pollution Prevention
  • Environment
  • Water Resources
  • Risk Analysis
  • Land Development
  • Vulnerability
  • Environmental Issue
  • Risk Control
  • Environmental Science
  • General Science and Research
  • Environmental Resource Management
  • Mitigation
  • Physical Science
  • Corporate Sustainability
  • Media and Communications

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English
10 practice exercises

Advance your subject-matter expertise

  • Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
  • Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
  • Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
  • Earn a career certificate from University of Colorado Boulder

Specialization - 3 course series

What you'll learn

  • Identify the major components of the climate system

  • Explain the role of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions as the drivers of global climate change

  • Identify the primary physical and ecological impacts of climate change

  • Explain the unique process by which scientific information is produced

Skills you'll gain

Category: Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Category: Environmental Issue
Environmental Issue
Category: Scientific Methods
Scientific Methods
Category: Media and Communications
Media and Communications
Category: Political Sciences
Political Sciences
Category: Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
Category: Water Resources
Water Resources
Category: Environmental Policy
Environmental Policy
Category: Physical Science
Physical Science
Category: General Science and Research
General Science and Research

What you'll learn

  • Explain the overall goals of mitigation and adaptation policies

  • Describe the primary sources of and recent trends in greenhouse gas emissions in the United States

  • Explain the concept of climate risk, and describe its components

  • Provide examples of mitigation policies and adaptation efforts

Skills you'll gain

Category: Mitigation
Mitigation
Category: Environmental Policy
Environmental Policy
Category: Vulnerability
Vulnerability
Category: Environmental Issue
Environmental Issue
Category: Pollution Prevention
Pollution Prevention
Category: Risk Control
Risk Control
Category: Energy and Utilities
Energy and Utilities
Category: Environmental Resource Management
Environmental Resource Management
Category: Economics
Economics

What you'll learn

  • Navigate the National Climate Assessment as a resource for information about impacts and adaptation

  • Describe how place and context relate to climate risk and potential mitigation and adaptation choices

  • Identify opportunities for communities, governments, and businesses to manage climate risks

  • Explain the challenges and competing interests that make climate change a difficult issue for communities, governments, and businesses to address

Skills you'll gain

Category: Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Category: Environmental Issue
Environmental Issue
Category: Risk Analysis
Risk Analysis
Category: Land Development
Land Development
Category: Environment
Environment
Category: Environmental Policy
Environmental Policy
Category: Community Development
Community Development
Category: Vulnerability
Vulnerability
Category: Corporate Sustainability
Corporate Sustainability
Category: Mitigation
Mitigation
Category: Water Resources
Water Resources
Category: Energy and Utilities
Energy and Utilities

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Joseph Casola
Joseph Casola
University of Colorado Boulder
3 Courses•25,402 learners

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.

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Frequently asked questions

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

More questions

Visit the learner help center

Financial aid available,

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