From Climate Science to Action

About this course: Each part of the world faces specific vulnerabilities to climate change and has different opportunities to mitigate the effects and build resilience in the 21st century. With the ratification of the Paris Agreement, many countries have acceded to act in combatting climate change. Indeed, without climate action, decades of sustainable development is at risk, thus making this a ‘make or break’ point in time. Showcasing the most recent scientific evidence, explaining the different regional impacts and divulging climate action strategies, along with interactive tools such as a Carbon Footprint Tracker and (I) NDC Platform, this MOOC provides some opportunities, where you can take action on climate change. About the Course This action-oriented MOOC gives you the opportunity to learn about regional climate change impacts and sector-specific strategies to increase resilience and move towards a low-carbon future. You will have the opportunity to explore these issues in depth and tailor your learning experience for one or more of the following regions: • Latin America and Caribbean • Sub-Saharan Africa • Middle East and North Africa • Eastern Europe and Central Asia • East Asia and Pacific • South Asia In this endeavor, the MOOC brings together renowned scientists and policymakers to provide a synthesis of the most recent scientific evidence on climate change, regional low emissions and climate resilient development strategies across sectors. A team of expert Instructors will lead discussions around the Paris Agreement, reflections from COP22 and the progress on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Course Syllabus Overview ‘From Climate Science to Action’ is divided into four weeks. The first two weeks will provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific evidence for climate change, followed by region-specific insights on the impacts of a warmer world in the 21st century. The last two weeks will focus on action strategies that are being undertaken in different regions and countries to meet the climate challenge, and how you as an individual can take action to avoid a warmer world! Week 1: Climate Change in the 21st Century • Historical and projected observed changes in the climate system, leading up to the end of the 21st century • The potential of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) submitted at COP 21 from 187 countries to induce climate action • Trends in climate change impacts, including loss of Arctic sea ice, melting glaciers, increased heat waves and extreme temperatures, and drought and aridity • Possible responses from natural systems, explaining how warming could result in sea-level rise, heat waves and extreme temperatures, and ocean acidification Week 2: Sectoral and Regional Impacts • Impacts on key development sectors—from warming above pre-industrial temperatures and projected climate trends—across each of the world’s regions • Sectoral impacts focusing on agricultural production, water resources, ecosystem services, and coastal vulnerability for affected populations • Importance of risks with the potential to reverse hard-won development gains and potentially trap millions in poverty, illustrating the need for urgent action now Week 3: From Science to Action on Climate Change • Region-specific discussions on mitigation actions needed to reduce emissions while decreasing vulnerability to climate change impacts through adaptation and by building climate resilience • Perspectives from regional experts on their experiences in strategies and actions proposed in each region to help transition towards a low-emissions, climate-resilient development path • Discussions on the progress of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), outcomes of the Paris Agreement and reflections from the Conference of Parties (COP)22 Week 4: What You Can Do • Transformative impact of day-to-day changes when brought to a global scale • The rationale for acting now, acting together and acting differently • Examples and expected benefits of mitigation and adaptation policies, considering both contributions to global emission reductions and local development opportunities In addition to the core resources and assignments, you may choose to go further, engaging in fun optional exercises, networking, discussion, and diving deeper into our rich selection of supplemental resources. You will have the opportunity to explore these issues in depth and tailor your learning experience for one or more of the following regions: • Latin America and Caribbean • Sub-Saharan Africa • Middle East and North Africa • Eastern Europe and Central Asia • East Asia and Pacific • South Asia Course Format This MOOC has a week-by-week structure, with resources, activities and exercises for you to engage in during each of the four weeks of the course. Each week, you will find a variety of course material, including: • Interactive video talks by renowned climate scientists and practitioners • Interactive tools: the Carbon Footprint Tracker, (I) NDC platform • Resources: Core, optional (deep dive) and fun interactives on the week’s theme • Quizzes that check your knowledge, reinforce the lesson’s material and provide immediate feedback • Assignments that will sharpen your skills of analysis, reflection and communication • Discussion forums and social media that enable collaboration with others from around the world, enriching interaction among participants • As a final project, you will create a digital artifact You can also go much further than this, engaging in optional exercises, networking, or discussion forums and dive deeper into our rich selection of additional resources. We also will use e-discussions, and other tools to facilitate dialogue between the learners and experts. Recommended Background: No background knowledge is necessary. The content of this course is designed to be accessible to students from any discipline. Connect: Communicate and share resources via Twitter using hashtag #learnclimate. Sign up for a free account at http://twitter.com

Created by:  The World Bank Group

• Taught by:  Alan S. Miller , Principal Climate Change Specialist

• Taught by:  Claudia Barrera, Senior Carbon Finance Specialist

Level Beginner Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.8 stars Average User Rating 4.8See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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The World Bank Group The World Bank Group is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. We support developing countries through policy advice, research and analysis, and technical assistance. Our analytical work often underpins World Bank Group financing and helps inform developing countries’ own investments. The Open Learning Campus is the World Bank Group's single destination to accelerate development solutions through learning, where anyone can access real-time, world-class development content. It is designed to be a leading, influential space to integrate development learning and knowledge exchange for World Bank Group clients, partners, staff and the general public.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Climate Change in the 21st Century
Week 1 will introduce you to the growing and well-documented body of evidence regarding observed changes in the climate system. Week 1 will also provide an overview of the projected changes in climate up until the end of the 21st century.


4 videos, 11 readings expand

1. Reading: Welcome
2. Video: Be Part of the Global Conversation on Climate Change
3. Reading: Course at a Glance
4. Reading: Course Calendar
5. Reading: How to Succeed
6. Reading: How to be Social
7. Reading: How to Give Feedback
8. Reading: Acknowledgements
9. Reading: Course Resources
10. Discussion Prompt: Welcome & Introductions
11. Discussion Prompt: Learner-made spaces
12. Reading: Overview
13. Video: Climate Science and Emissions Scenarios
14. Video: Climate Impacts in the 21st Century
15. Reading: Resources
16. Reading: Optional Exercises
17. Video: Types of Climate Observation
18. Discussion Prompt: Week 1 General Discussion: Climate Change in the 21st Century
19. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 1 Core Material
20. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 1 Optional Exercise 1
21. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 1 Optional Exercise 2

Graded: Week 1

WEEK 2


Sectoral and Regional Impacts



Week 2 will introduce you to the climate impacts across different regions of the planet. If warming goes beyond 2˚C, multiple threats associated with a warming planet such as extreme heat waves, sea–level rise, more intense storms, droughts and floods, will be more frequent and will have severe negative implications for the poorest and most vulnerable.


10 videos, 10 readings expand

1. Reading: Overview
2. Video: Sectoral Impacts Around the World (Part I)
3. Video: Sectoral Impacts Around the World (Part II)
4. Video: Climate Change, Fragility, and Conflict
5. Reading: Regional Impacts
6. Video: Sectoral Impacts in South Asia
7. Reading: Resources for the SA region
8. Video: Sectoral Impacts in East Asia and Pacific
9. Reading: Resources for the EAP region
10. Video: Sectoral Impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa
11. Reading: Resources for the SSA region
12. Video: Sectoral Impacts in Europe and Central Asia
13. Reading: Resources for the ECA region
14. Video: Sectoral Impacts in The Middle East and North Africa
15. Reading: Resources for the MENA region
16. Video: Sectoral Impacts in Latin America and the Caribbean
17. Reading: Resources for the LAC region
18. Reading: Resources
19. Reading: Optional Exercises
20. Video: Resilience and Adaptation – Monitoring Coastal Zones
21. Discussion Prompt: Week 2 General Discussion: Sectoral and Regional Impacts
22. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 2 Core Material
23. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 2 Optional Exercise 1
24. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 2 Optional Exercise 2
25. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 2 Assignment

Graded: Week 2
Graded: Local Impacts of Climate Change

WEEK 3


From Science to Action on Climate Change



Week 3 will introduce you to a region-specific understanding of challenges on what mitigation and adaptation actions are needed to reduce emissions, at the same time decreasing vulnerability to climate change impacts and building climate resilience. The module will draw on key regional experts involved in the implementation of different policy instruments.


15 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Reading: Overview
2. Video: Climate Resilience
3. Video: Policy Instruments for Low Emission Development
4. Reading: Regional Climate Action
5. Video: Mitigation in East Asia and Pacific
6. Video: Adaptation and Resilience in East Asia and Pacific
7. Video: Mitigation in Sub-Saharan Africa
8. Video: Adaptation and Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa
9. Video: Mitigation in Europe and Central Asia
10. Video: Adaptation and Resilience in Europe and Central Asia
11. Video: Adaptation and Resilience in the Middle East and North Africa
12. Video: Mitigation in the Middle East and North Africa
13. Video: Mitigation in Latin America and Caribbean
14. Video: Adaptation and Resilience in Latin America and Caribbean
15. Video: Mitigation in South Asia
16. Video: Adaptation and Resilience in South Asia
17. Reading: Resources
18. Reading: Optional Exercises
19. Video: The Importance of EO in Climate Policy and Planning
20. Discussion Prompt: Week 3 General Discussion: From Science to Action on Climate Change
21. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 3 Core Material
22. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 3 Optional Exercise 1
23. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 3 Optional Exercise 2

Graded: Week 3

WEEK 4


What You Can Do
This week will introduce you to the types of actions not just by your country, but by different actors including yourself, to embark on a low-emissions development trajectory that would help limit warming to below 2°C.


4 videos, 3 readings expand

1. Reading: Overview
2. Video: We Can, We Will, We Must Act on Climate Change
3. Video: Act Now, Act Together, Act Differently in Response to Climate Change
4. Video: Perspectives - Countries Acting to Address Climate Change Challenges
5. Reading: Resources
6. Video: Big Data and Crowdsourcing – ESA MOOC
7. Reading: Optional Exercises
8. Discussion Prompt: Week 4 General Discussion: What You Can Do
9. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 4 Core Material
10. Discussion Prompt: Discussion Forum: Week 4 Optional Exercise 2

Graded: Final Project: Digital Artifact - What Can You Do?