Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/act-on-climate

Introduction

### Course Review: Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action In an era where climate change looms large over global discourse, understanding how to respond effectively is essential. Coursera's course, "Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action," offers a comprehensive overview of climate science and practical strategies for personal and collective action. This course emerges as a beacon for those who are concerned about environmental issues and wish to make tangible contributions toward mitigating climate change. #### Course Overview This course is well-structured, guiding learners through the complexities of climate action across different sectors of society: food, energy, transportation, and the built environment. It not only highlights the theoretical frameworks behind climate responses but also emphasizes actionable steps individuals and communities can take. The course is divided into key modules: 1. **Introduction**: The course kicks off by encouraging participants to reflect on their motivations and familiarize themselves with the current state of climate science and policy. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for effective learning and action. 2. **Food**: Here, participants explore the impacts of their dietary choices on the environment, learning about vegetarianism and innovative food businesses. The real-life examples enrich the learning experience, making theoretical concepts relatable and actionable. 3. **Energy**: A critical look at energy consumption reveals ways to reduce emissions. By sharing insights on energy savings in diverse settings, instructors offer practical advice that learners can immediately implement in their own lives. 4. **Transportation**: Transportation is crucial in daily life and significantly impacts greenhouse gas emissions. The module discusses personal and collective transportation choices and their environmental implications, providing a broader perspective on how every decision counts. 5. **Built Environment**: This section introduces the concept of "New Urbanism" and explores how urban design can contribute to climate action. The integration of social theory into real-world scenarios empowers learners to envision how existing spaces might be reimagined for sustainability. 6. **Climate Action Plan**: Perhaps one of the most impactful components, this module guides participants in creating their own Personal Climate Action Plan. This practical exercise enables individuals to synthesize their learning and set clear, achievable goals for climate action. 7. **Conclusion**: Wrapping up, the course emphasizes the importance of ongoing engagement in climate advocacy, providing resources for continued involvement, whether through community initiatives or even political ambitions. #### Recommendations **Who Should Take This Course?** 1. **Individuals Concerned About Climate Change**: If you're passionate about environmental issues and want to turn that passion into action, this course is ideal. 2. **Community Organizers**: Those looking to mobilize their communities toward greener behaviors will find useful frameworks and strategies. 3. **Students and Educators**: A great resource for students in related fields and educators looking to incorporate climate action into their curricula. **What You Will Gain**: - Knowledge of climate science and policy. - Practical skills to implement changes in personal and community practices. - An understanding of social theories related to environmental action. - A personalized action plan that can be shared and developed within communities. #### Conclusion "Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action" by Coursera is an invaluable course for anyone seeking to make a difference. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications, engaging learners at multiple levels—individually and collectively. As climate challenges intensify, empowering ourselves and our communities with actionable knowledge is critical. This course provides the tools, insights, and inspiration necessary to create a sustainable future. If you're ready to take meaningful steps toward climate action, I highly recommend enrolling in this course. Your journey to making a positive impact on the planet starts here!

Syllabus

Introduction

As part of this introductory lesson, we will help you explore your motivations for taking this course, briefly introduce you to the current state of climate science and policy, and prepare you for taking actions on climate change throughout the course.

Food is part of our everyday lives. From breakfast to dinner, we make choices that affect the planet. This week, you will hear from Chris about his journey toward vegetarianism, and you will learn from Dr. Sara Soderstrom about social movement theory and food businesses in Detroit, as well as actions that you can take to make food choices that can mitigate climate change.

We use energy in almost everything we do, but there are also many ways we can reduce emissions from our energy consumption. This week, you will hear from Benjamin about saving energy in cold winters and from Dr. Kaitlin Raimi about the theory of environmental peer persuasion. You will also learn several actions you can take to reduce energy consumption in your home, on your campus, and in your community.

Transportation is part of everyday life. This week, you will hear from Stephanie about the collective impact of personal transportation decisions and from Brandon Schoettle about how driving decisions impact greenhouse gas emissions. You will also examine popular ride-hailing services, as well as actions that you can take to make transportation choices that can mitigate climate change, and ultimately you will learn to support a more resilient transportation system.

There is a complex relationship between our lives and the built infrastructure with which we interact on a daily basis. This week, you will learn about one theory of urban design - “New Urbanism” - and use it as a way to explore these relationships and how you can reimagine the built environment as a means to act on climate change. You will also learn about how one city used deliberative democracy to transform their built environment and move toward carbon neutrality. Together, the content will assist you in identifying how the built environment can be transformed to address the effects of climate change.

This week, you will apply ideas you learned in this course, learn about another relevant social change theory, and develop your own Personal Climate Action Plan. As part of this plan you will identify individual and community-related actions that you can take to mitigate the impact of increased greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change after completing this course.

You have now learned about a variety of theories of social change and tried a range of mitigation and adaptation actions. We hope that this will not be the end! During this concluding week, we will provide you with resources to continue to engage in climate actions, including: making new practices “stick,” how to work with your community, and why you might even consider making a bigger commitment, like running for political office.