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⇱ What is Climate Change? | Coursera

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What is Climate Change?

15,396 already enrolled

Included with

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

199 reviews

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
6 hours to complete
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

199 reviews

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
6 hours to complete
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Identify the major components of the climate system

  • Explain the role of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions as the drivers of global climate change

  • Identify the primary physical and ecological impacts of climate change

  • Explain the unique process by which scientific information is produced

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

3 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English
97%
Most learners liked this course

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Exploring Our Responses to Climate Change Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 3 modules in this course

In this course, learners will become familiar with the scientific evidence that demonstrates human-caused climate change. We will explore how greenhouse gases cause the Earth to warm, and why our recent warming is attributed to human activities. We will also discuss where our climate is headed, including anticipated future temperature, precipitation, and sea level. Learners will engage with the consequences of these changes on our ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities. We will also identify how political beliefs influence our attitudes about climate change, and apply that knowledge to become better climate communicators.

Climate change is real. Scientists agree that human activities are causing the climate to change. Warming will continue in the 21st century, and the amount of warming will be determined by our emissions of greenhouse gases.

What's included

5 videos3 readings1 assignment

5 videos•Total 48 minutes
  • Module 1 Introduction•4 minutes
  • Climate Backgrounder•6 minutes
  • It's Real and Scientists Agree•10 minutes
  • It's Us•14 minutes
  • Future Projections•14 minutes
3 readings•Total 51 minutes
  • Course Updates and Accessibility Support•1 minute
  • Advancing the Science of Climate Change•40 minutes
  • Fourth National Climate Assessment, Vol. II•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Quiz 1.1•30 minutes

The net impact of climate change on ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities is expected to be negative. Many impacts are already occurring, and we expect future warming to exacerbate their effects.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment

6 videos•Total 61 minutes
  • Module 2 Introduction•3 minutes
  • Physical Changes: Temperature, Precipitation, and Hydrology•15 minutes
  • Sea Level Rise and Ocean Acidification•11 minutes
  • Impacts on Ecosystems•9 minutes
  • Impacts to Infrastructure•9 minutes
  • Human Dimensions of Impacts•15 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • Fourth National Climate Assessment•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Quiz 1.2•30 minutes

To stay informed about climate change, it is important to know where to get credible information. It’s also important to understand how scientific information is unique from other types of knowledge. Also, it can be helpful to recognize that others’ opinions on climate are heavily influenced by political affiliation. When engaging with others on climate, information needs to be tailored to take into account your audiences concerns and world views.

What's included

6 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review

6 videos•Total 45 minutes
  • Module 3 Introduction•2 minutes
  • Credible Sources•8 minutes
  • How is Science Information Unique?•11 minutes
  • Talking to Others About Climate Change•8 minutes
  • Talking to Others About Climate Change, Part 2•7 minutes
  • Interview with Heidi Roop•10 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
  • Global Warming's Six Americas•10 minutes
  • Climate in the News: Quiz Instructions•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Climate in the News•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
  • Having a Climate Conversation•60 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.8 (67 ratings)
University of Colorado Boulder
3 Courses•28,611 learners

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Learner reviews

  • 5 stars

    87.43%

  • 4 stars

    9.54%

  • 3 stars

    2.01%

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    0.50%

  • 1 star

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Showing 3 of 199

PK
·

Reviewed on Dec 15, 2024

It was clear. Sufficient information with step by step instruction. Congratulations to the Professor.

SB
·

Reviewed on Jun 12, 2022

Relevant information, digestible lessons, perfect for professionals who need to incorporate climate planning. And who doesn't?

JE
·

Reviewed on Oct 11, 2021

Incredibly important information and professionally presented

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.