Investigate the impact of climate change, the research being done to tackle it, and what you can do to take meaningful action.

Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Planet Partners: Tackling the Climate Crisis Together
Explore the different areas affected by climate change
The impacts of climate change are being felt worldwide and across many areas of life. This includes our food, our physical and mental health, where and how we live, wildlife and environmental systems, and political direction.
On this two-week course, you’ll explore how climate change affects different people and places in varying ways and how we, and our world leaders, can take action.
Examine the environmental research
The course is presented by two University of Reading students who uncover what the research shows about the effects of climate change, discuss the impacts, and consider the implications for young people and their futures.
Based on the themes identified by youth delegates who hosted mock COP26, which represented over 140 countries, you’ll explore different aspects of the climate crisis. As you delve into each one, you’ll find out about innovations helping us adapt and the actions you can take to help yourself, others, and the planet.
Be empowered to take action for the planet
Finally, you’ll look at how climate change is being addressed globally, such as through the Paris Agreement, and how you can call on world leaders to do more.
By the end of the course, you will be able to speak confidently about climate change and its impacts, understand how it will continue to affect all areas of our lives, and be empowered to take action.
Syllabus
Week 1
Tackling the climate crisis: our health and the food we eat
Welcome
Meet Emily and Nick, the two students who are your guides for this course as they learn about the climate crisis.
Climate change and health
Emily and Nick explore how climate change impacts both physical and mental and hear how current research is helping to tackle the climate crisis.
Climate change and food
Emily and Nick explore how climate change impacts the food system and hear how current research is helping to tackle the climate crisis.
Review and Reflect
Test your knowledge on the topics this week and find out what's coming up in Week 2.
Week 2
Tackling the climate crisis: our towns and cities and ecosystems
Climate change and the built environment
Emily and Nick explore how climate change impacts the places we live and hear how current research is helping to tackle the climate crisis.
Climate change and the natural world
Emily and Nick explore how climate change impacts biodiversity and the wider ecosystem and hear how current research is helping to tackle the climate crisis.
How is climate change being addressed globally?
Emily and Nick explore the international agreements in place and discuss whose responsibility it is to tackle the climate crisis.
Review, reflect, act
Emily and Nick share their ideas for action to tackle the climate crisis.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe how the wide ranging impacts of climate change require an interdisciplinary approach to studying them.
- Identify and discuss the effects of climate change on every day life as well as the planet.
- Explore what research is being done to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects.
- Reflect on what action can be taken by individuals and wider community.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in climate change but will be particularly useful for 16-18-year-olds.
Who will you learn with?
Dr Harley Pope is an interdisciplinary research fellow based at the Walker Institute at the University of Reading. I research and teach around cross-cutting sustainability and holistic systems issues
I've just graduated from my German studies degree at the University of Reading. During my studies I've become really interested in climate change and sustainability, especially during my year abroad.
A University of Reading Meteorology and Climate graduate, where my studies and hobbies gave me passion for climate change education, sustainability, and a greener future.
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Ways to learn
Subscribe to Unlimited to access this course and hundreds of other short courses or buy just this course for extra benefits. Or, join with limited access.
Subscribe to Unlimited
$27.99/month
Automatically renews
Access hundreds of courses
- Access to this course
- Access to ALL eligible short courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Buy this course
$49
One-off payment
Unlock your expertise
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Join with limited access
Free
Try before you buy
- Limited access to course content for 2 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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