Climate Change Education

This course explores the basic science behind climate change and presents the tools to teach it in a positive, engaging and participatory way. The course also introduces some of the ethical and social issues around climate change.

This course makes use of videos, lesson plans and online games developed by the IDB's "Rise-Up: Education Against Climate Change" initiative. The aim is to assist you in the launch of climate change education and actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change in your school community.

This is a hands-on course, with examples coming directly from Latin America and the Caribbean.

61% of the students who have taken the course affirm that they have improved their ability to formulate, implement and / or evaluate public policies.

52% of the students have said that the course has served them to improve services to citizens as public officials.

This course is "self-paced" so you can enroll at any time, even if the course has been open for a while. You can take it at the time that is most suitable for you inside the enrolment period of the course.

If you opt for the Audit track, you will have unlimited access to the course content, but you won't be able to complete the assessed activities or receive the certificate.

If you opt for the Verified track , you can access the course in an unlimited way and complete the qualified evaluations until the closing date, after making a payment of $25 . If you pass, in addition to the verified certificate, you will obtain a digital badge *that allows you to change the way you share your academic and professional achievements, as for example, on social media.

Did you know there is a financial aid to opt for the verified certificate? * **

EdX offers financial assistance for learners who want to earn Verified Certificates but who may not be able to pay the Verified Certificate fee. Subscribe to the course and apply for financial assistance.

Module 1: Our climate is changing
Introduction to climate change, including what it is, difference between climate and weather and causes of the greenhouse effect.
Presentation of the use of images and newspapers in class activities.

Module 2: Energy and the climate change
Introduction to the energy cycle, the different types of energies and the existing renewable and nonrenewable sources of energies.
Presentation of the use of comics and the school’s space to support learning.

Module 3: Water and the climate change
Introduction to the importance of water to our lives and the main consequences of climate change to the water cycle.
Presentation of the use of offline games and videos in class activities.

Module 4: Soil and the climate change
Introduction to the different types of farming practices, it’s social, economic and environmental impact and the effect of climate change on food availability and quality.
Presentation of the use of experiments and debates in class activities.

Module 5: Landscape and the climate change
Introduction to the factors that shape our landscape, including natural disasters and human actions and the importance of forests and wetlands to the Earth ecosystem.
Presentation of the use of the community and stories to support learning.

Module 6: Sustainable environments
Introduction to the effect of the megacities to the environment and how we can mitigate it through intelligent consumption and sustainable cities.
Presentation of the use of mockups and role-playing in class activities.

Module 7: Healthy environments
Introduction to the elements that make up a healthy environment, the risks of climate change to our health and what we can do to ensure a healthy and safe environment in the school and the community.