Human-induced climate change and resulting extreme weather events are an increasing and serious threat to the Earth’s ecosystems.This free course, Climate Change and Renewable Energy, describes the basic science of the greenhouse effect and how it has been modified by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. It describes the large cuts in greenhouse gas emissions that will be required to stabilise the global climate, the role of international climate change negotiations and the need for an energy transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
Overview
Syllabus
- 1 The third planet
- 1.1 The Earth’s mean temperature
- 1.2 The greenhouse effect
- 1.3 The right temperature for life
- 2 The carbon connection
- 2.1 The first carbon trail, the carbon cycle
- 2.2 The second carbon trail, human influences
- 2.3 Measuring the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration
- 3 Causes for concern
- 3.1 Global temperature rise
- 3.2 Extreme weather events
- 4 Climate talks
- 4.1 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- 5 From COP promises to action on the ground
- 5.1 Global warming ‘well below 2 ˚C’
- 5.2 Cuts in emissions
- 5.3 The International Energy Agency Net Zero scenario
- 5.4 Electrification of energy services - a pathway to net zero?
- 6 Elements of the energy transition
- 6.1 Energy efficiency
- 6.2 Heat pumps
- 6.3 Solar electricity
- 6.4 Wind Power
- 6.5 Hydrogen
- 6.6 Replacement of fossil fuelled road vehicles
- 6.7 Hydroelectric power
- 6.8 Nuclear power
- 6.9 Biofuels
- 6.10 Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)
- 6.11 Lifestyle changes
- 6.12 Net zero and the importance of trees
