EdX

#EarthOptimism (edX)

Offered by Smithsonian, SmithsonianX,
#EarthOptimism (edX)

A 5-session workshop focused on identifying conservation success stories and sharing them on Twitter.Join others from around the world who care about changing the conversation around conservation from one of doom and gloom to one of hope and optimism...and who believe that change is positively possible.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Do you want to help change the conversation around conservation?Are you interested in learning how to use Twitter to read and share conservation success stories? Join us as we identify, share, and promote conservation success stories in this 5-day workshop that helps you engage in #EarthOptimism!

One of the main goals of Smithsonian's Earth Optimism Project is to change the conversation about conservation. To do this we start by sharing success stories of today. In 2017, we held the Earth Optimism Summit where people gathered in Washington, D.C.to tell their conservation success stories in person. In 2018, we wantedeveryone to participate in sharing and conversing. That's why we hosted #EarthOptimism2018 and have continued the workshop after Earth Day 2018to keep the#EarthOptimism momentum going.We're using Twitter to share current conservation success projects and stories in the making. Conservationists of all levels will have the opportunity to engage in the discussion. #EarthOptimism is a chance for you to interact withpeople around the world on social media to identify, share, and support conservation projects and conservation success stories.
This 5-session workshop will help youparticipate in #EarthOptimism. During each of the workshop's 30-minute sessions, you willlearn about a range of conservation success stories, find out how to share these stories on social media, and become part of a community of conservation supporters participating in spreading the word about #EarthOptimism.

What you'll learn
During this course, you will learn:

  • About current conservation projects and success stories that are taking place around the world
  • How to promote conservation success stories through Twitter
  • How the Smithsonian is involved in changing the conversation around conservation
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Journey Conversations: Weaving Knowledge and Action (Coursera) Coursera
Yale University

Journey Conversations: Weaving Knowledge and Action (Coursera)

Journey of the Universe weaves together the discoveries of the evolutionary sciences together with humanities such as history, philosophy, art, and religion. This course draws on the Journey of the Universe Conversations, a series of 20 interviews with scientists and environmentalists. The first 10 interviews are with scientists and historians who deepen our understanding of the evolutionary process of universe, Earth, and humans.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Global Warming II: Create Your Own Models in Python (Coursera) Coursera
University of Chicago

Global Warming II: Create Your Own Models in Python (Coursera)

This class provides a series of Python programming exercises intended to explore the use of numerical modeling in the Earth system and climate sciences. The scientific background for these models is presented in a companion class, Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change. This class assumes that you are new to Python programming (and this is indeed a great way to learn Python!), but that you will be able to pick up an elementary knowledge of Python syntax from another class or from on-line tutorials.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Sharks! (edX) EdX
University of Queensland,CornellX,Cornell University,UQx

Sharks! (edX)

Learn about the most fascinating animals on Earth, their sophisticated senses and how sharks and their relatives have impacted human history and culture. Did you know that you can track some sharks’ movements on Twitter? Or that the scales on their skin have influenced the way humans design boats, planes, and even swimsuits? Or that sharks have more senses than humans?

Jul 3rd 2023
4 Weeks
Introduction to Sustainability (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Introduction to Sustainability (Coursera)

This course introduces the academic approach of Sustainability and explores how today’s human societies can endure in the face of global change, ecosystem degradation and resource limitations. The course focuses on key knowledge areas of sustainability theory and practice, including population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics and policy, ethics, and cultural history.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Geology and Engineering Geology | 工程地质学 (edX) EdX
Tsinghua University,TsinghuaX

Geology and Engineering Geology | 工程地质学 (edX)

Learn the basics of geology and geological engineering as we explore ways to both protect and properly utilize the earth’s resources today and in the future. The earth is our home. The development of human civilization as we know it goes hand in hand with how we have used and continue to reshape the planet. This course will introduce the basic knowledge of geology and methods of engineering geology to help people protect and utilize our earth more effectively.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Sensing Planet Earth – From Core to Outer Space (edX) EdX
Chalmers University of Technology,ChalmersX

Sensing Planet Earth – From Core to Outer Space (edX)

Will this year be the hottest year ever? What is the current rate of global sea level rise? How fast is the rain forest disappearing? … Learn about the essential tools for measuring and monitoring our planet. In this course, we will take you on a virtual journey covering different Earth observation tools. In the course modules, we cover the most essential measurement tools for solid Earth, the atmosphere, and the biosphere. Our experts will give you first-hand insights why, where, and how those techniques are applied and they will show you how sensors work in space, on aircrafts, and on the ground.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Our Earth's Future (Coursera) Coursera
American Museum of Natural History

Our Earth's Future (Coursera)

Our Earth’s Future is about the science of climate change and how to talk about it. You will learn from scientists in the fields of climatology, oceanography, Earth science, and anthropology who study how climate change is affecting people, populations, and ways of life. Explore the multiple lines of evidence for the human-induced climate change that is happening today, and consider what that means for the future of our planet. At the end of this course you will be able to understand key scientific principles, identify and address misconceptions, and contribute confidently to conversations about climate change.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Global Warming Science (edX) EdX
MIT,MITx

Global Warming Science (edX)

Learn about the physics, chemistry, biology, and geology of the earth’s climate system. Global Warming Science teaches you about the risks and uncertainties of future climate change by examining the science behind the earth’s climate. You will be able to answer such questions as, “What is the Greenhouse Effect?” and “How and why has earth’s climate changed through geologic history?”

No sessions available
13-24 Weeks
Journey of the Universe: The Unfolding of Life (Coursera) Coursera
Yale University

Journey of the Universe: The Unfolding of Life (Coursera)

Journey of the Universe weaves together the discoveries of the evolutionary sciences together with humanities such as history, philosophy, art, and religion. The course draws on the Emmy-award winning film, Journey of the Universe, and the book from Yale University Press. Journey explores cosmic evolution as a creative process based on connection, interdependence, and emergence. It examines a range of dynamic interactions in the unfolding of galaxies, Earth, life, and human communities. It investigates ways in which we understand evolutionary processes and the implications for humans and our ecological future.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks