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The University of Warwick

Reducing Carbon Footprints: Taking Action for a Sustainable Future

The University of Warwick via FutureLearn

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Overview

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Discover how you can take action and work towards a sustainable future

It’s widely understood that we are in a state of climate emergency, with human intervention largely responsible.

On this five-week course, you’ll be introduced to key concepts in climate literacy, covering carbon footprints, carbon neutrality, greenhouse gas emissions, and how they contribute to the current climate emergency.

You’ll examine local and international commitments and develop strategies to take proactive climate action. You’ll learn to communicate climate change issues to various audiences, raise awareness, and reduce individual and collective carbon footprints.

Map greenhouse gas emissions and make a case for climate justice

By discovering who produces the most greenhouse gases and who suffers most from the effects, you’ll develop an argument for climate justice, justified by up-to-date facts and figures.

You’ll explore UK government initiatives including the Climate Change Act and the Net Zero target, and identify sectors where action is most needed.

Examine carbon reduction in different sectors

From food and clothing, to housing and energy, different sectors have roles and responsibilities to reduce our collective carbon footprint.

You’ll delve into each sector, identifying how they contribute to climate change and discussing how industries can take action.

Learn how you can promote environmental sustainability

Effective communication skills are vital in promoting climate literacy and action.

You’ll learn practical techniques for educating and engaging different audiences in the fight against climate change.

You’ll finish this course understanding our social responsibility towards reducing carbon emissions and how we, on a local, regional, national, and international level, can each take action towards carbon neutrality.

This course is designed for anyone interested in further their understanding of climate change and how to work towards a sustainable future.

It is particularly useful for those wishing to take an active role in promoting sustainability in communities and work spaces.

Syllabus

  • Introduction to basic concepts
    • Welcome to the course
    • Introduction to the basic concepts
    • Beginning the reflection for change
    • Revisiting your understanding
  • From international commitments to local actions
    • Mapping greenhouse gas emissions
    • Matching beliefs with reality
    • The UK as a case study
    • Revisiting your understanding
  • Taking action to reduce carbon footprints
    • Taking action in the food area
    • Taking action on energy and transport
    • Taking action in housing and building
    • Taking action with clothing
    • Revisiting your understanding
  • Communicating climate change
    • How to communicate about climate change
    • Encouraging to take action
    • Appealing to reputational effects
    • Summary of learning - weeks 1 to 4
  • Reducing your carbon footprint individually and collectively
    • The purpose of this week
    • Choose your individual action for carbon footprint reduction
    • Choosing your group action for carbon footprint reduction
    • Planning your actions
    • Finishing the course

Taught by

Rosa Fernandez

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