In this course, learners will identify the types of actions that we can pursue to address climate change. These actions fall into two broad categories: 1) mitigation, which refers to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or enhance carbon sinks, and 2) adaptation, which refers to our preparations for climate impacts. We will explore the technologies, programs, and policies related to both mitigation and adaptation. Learners should leave the course with an improved ability to identify and evaluate climate actions undertaken by communities, governments, and businesses.

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What You Will 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

Course 2 of 3 in the Exploring Our Responses to Climate Change Specialization

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Overview of Climate Action

We will define and discuss examples of mitigation and adaptation.

WEEK 2

Reducing Emissions

We will dive deeper into climate mitigation, examining the various strategies for reducing emissions. We will also explore some of the policy tools, like carbon pricing, that can motivate and accelerate emissions reductions.

WEEK 3

Managing Climate Risk Through Adaptation

We will define climate risk, and demonstrate how adaptation strategies attempt to address different drivers of risk.

Exploring Our Responses to Climate Change Specialization