Climate change is among the most complex and challenging
problems that we have confronted as a civilization, but the
responses and impacts will vary largely across space and the
global population. This course is designed to give you a
fundamental understanding of the scientific basis of climatic
change, and will expose you to multiple facets of a very
interdisciplinary and encompassing field. Participants will be
introduced to the physical science of our climate system, the
contributing system components, and the basic mechanisms that
govern how the climate system responds to drivers of change.
We’ll then explore climate change from multiple perspectives:
paleoclimatic change, recent historical variability and
change, future climate projections as well as social and
economic issues.
Earth has a complex, interconnected system of processes that
control the state of the climate. This course explores the science
of climate change, perhaps the defining environmental issue of
the 21st century. Students will learn how the climate system
works; what factors cause climate to change across different
time scales and how those factors interact; how climate has
changed in the past; how scientists use models, observations
and theory to make predictions about future climate; and the
possible consequences of climate change for our planet. Finally,
the course looks at the connection between human activity and
the current warming trend and considers some of the potential
social, economic and environmental consequences of climate
change. We will examine these climate impacts and will also
focus our attention on what can be done to help us successfully
meet these challenges.
The American Academy certification program in Climate
Change will provide partiticipants with specialised skills that
will prepare them to undertake work in the climate changeadaptation space. Participants will build theoretical
understanding of the field while learning practical skills in
adaptation. Its interdisciplinary focus will enable graduates to
be employed in a diverse range of positions..
The certification process is administered by IBS International
Board of Standards, identifies to the public that those
individuals who have been authorized to use the IBS®
certification marks in the globe have met rigorous professional
standards and have agreed to adhere to the principles of
integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality,
professionalism and diligence when dealing with clients.
