Climate Change is one of the greatest threats we face. The impacts of climate change are already being felt around the world, affecting both natural and human systems, and these impacts are expected to become greater in years to come.
On this five-week course from the University of Edinburgh, you’ll gain the knowledge and tools you need to make a real difference and help tackle climate change, specifically focusing on the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The science is now unequivocal that humans are the main driver of the changes we are seeing in our climate. This course will guide you through the basics of what global climate change is and the ways that we can address it. You’ll delve into the science, policy, and business contexts of climate change, from its history and how we study it to the carbon cycle and greenhouse gases.
As the global climate has been warming, this heat has not been equally distributed around the world. In fact, the UAE has warmed at almost twice the average global rate, now experiencing temperatures around 1.8 degrees Celsius warmer than prior to the industrial revolution. This level of change has had a drastic impact on the country.
You will discover how the country’s climate has changed over the years, what is expected to happen in the future, and how those further changes could continue to impact human health, agriculture, and the economy.
In the final two weeks, you’ll look at ways to mitigate climate risk and things that you can do to help tackle the climate crisis. You’ll also discover actions that you can take to get involved and inspire others to join the fight against the climate emergency.
Overview
Syllabus
- Introduction to Climate Change
- Discover what climate change is, the impacts it is causing around the world, and the importance of tackling climate injustice.
- Climate Science
- Learn about the science behind climate change, the history of our climate, and the role of greenhouse gases in its evolution.
- Climate Change Impacts
- Learn how we can use supercomputers and climate models to make projections about the future, and look specifically at UAE's climate.
- Managing Climate Risk
- Find out how we can use the risk triangle to help address climate impacts, and learn the importance of mitigation and adaptation.
- Global Climate Solutions
- Learn more about the impact our lifestyle choices can have on the climate. Explore solutions for tackling the climate crisis, find out how you can get involved and inspire others to take action!
Taught by
Erika Warnatzsch Thompson and Dave Reay