This course explores and critically analyzes historical and contemporary climate policies (e.g. Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement). Political issues pertaining to energy sources, such as nuclear energy, will be reviewed. The course will focus on understanding key climate principles and terms surrounding policy development, specifically for low-income or developing countries/communities. Further, this course explores up-to-date technologies that are used in climate analysis.
Global Climate Change Policies and Analysis
Beginner level
Recommended experience
14 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Progress towards a degree
What you'll learn
Identify climate goals and policies, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
Describe the impacts of climate change.
Evaluate the technological, economic, and policy challenges associated climate change mitigation strategies.
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Recently updated!
July 2024
Assessments
2 assignments
Taught in English
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There are 4 modules in this course
In this module, you will delve into critical aspects of energy and environmental governance, starting with an exploration of global climate policies and their effectiveness. The focus then shifts to understanding the historical development and contemporary debates surrounding nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels, examining its potential roles and challenges. The module concludes with an exploration of future energy landscapes, emphasizing renewable energy sources and their policy incentives in the United States.
What's included
3 videos8 readings1 assignment2 peer reviews2 discussion prompts
In this module, you will embark on an in-depth exploration of nuclear power, beginning with a foundational understanding of what nuclear power entails. Then, you will explore various perspectives of nuclear power as an alternative energy source before examining nuclear energy policies and technological advancements tailored for the 21st century, analyzing how regulations and innovations shape the nuclear energy landscape globally.
What's included
4 readings1 assignment1 peer review
This module centers on an exploration of climate change and its multifaceted impacts. You will begin by examining the fundamentals of climate change before delving into the intricate relationship between weather patterns and climate change, analyzing how global warming influences regional climates and exacerbates extreme weather events. The discussion then shifts to the phenomena of El Niño and La Niña, exploring their roles in altering weather patterns globally and their implications for climate variability. You will also investigate the alarming trend of mountain glacier recession, studying the environmental, social, and hydrological ramifications of diminishing glaciers worldwide.
What's included
8 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts
In this final module, you will explore future emission scenarios and mitigation strategies crucial for addressing climate change. First, you will examine emission scenarios, discussing how different projections influence climate models and policy decisions, and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), analyzing these pathways as frameworks for quantifying greenhouse gas concentrations and their impacts on global climate. Then you will explore carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, focusing on their role in mitigating emissions by capturing CO2 from industrial processes and storing it underground.
What's included
4 readings2 peer reviews
Instructor
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Environmental Science and Sustainability
Get a head start on your degree
This course is part of the following degree programs offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your coursework can count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.
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