Global Inequalities and the Just Transition

Understand the importance of a just transition in a zero-carbon future

Climate change is a critical issue that has inspired many young people to take action. However, when exploring green technologies as a sustainable solution, we are often presented with a simplistic view, with their costs and downsides rarely discussed.

On this four-week course, you’ll develop your understanding of green technologies, delving into what it truly means to be ‘green’.

You’ll also explore the concept of a just transition and some of the trade-offs that carbon zero will involve. With this knowledge, you’ll reflect on your own responsibilities and global inequality within the climate crisis.

Explore the use of Rare Earths Elements

You’ll improve your understanding of rare earths and how they are used in key technologies of the just transition. With this knowledge, you’ll critically reflect on your own use of rare earth elements, such as those used in smartphones.

Through real-life case studies, you’ll discover the geopolitical significance of rare earths as a commodity and the issues surrounding this global commodity chain.

Unpack green technology and the energy transition

As you start to explore the use of green technologies, you’ll reflect on how this technology might impact your life.

You’ll also unpack what a carbon zero energy transition will entail as well as its costs and benefits.

Reflect on global inequality with the experts at the University of Warwick

You’ll finish the course by critically reflecting on the current conversation about a zero-carbon future for a just transition.

Guided by the experts at the University of Warwick, you’ll not only reflect on your life but also on the lived realities of marginalised people globally to gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of issues of inequality.

This course is designed for anyone interested in sustainable development and the move to carbon zero.

It will be particularly useful for students and undergraduate students who want to aid their study of sustainability, carbon zero, and the climate crisis.

• Technology, Climate Change and You
• Welcome to the course. Let's begin!
• What do you think about green technologies?
• What is an Energy Transition?
• Technology and Energy Transition
• What are Rare Earth Elements and why are they important?
• What's the problem with Rare Earth Elements?
• Preparing for next week
• Glossary
• Rare Earth Elements, Geopolitics and China
• Geopolitics and Rare Earth
• The dominance of China in REEs
• REE Production in China: Benefits and Costs
• China's Geopolitical Strategies
• Preparing for next week
• Glossary
• Local Experiences of REEs Extraction: A Case Study from Northern Myanmar
• Thinking about where REEs come from
• How are REEs mined?
• A miner's story
• A problem too difficult to solve?
• Preparing for next week
• Glossary
• Responsibilities and Solutions: Reflections on a Just Transition
• What does Just Transition mean?
• Perspectives
• What has been done so far?
• Self-reflection and future: what can we do?
• Progress, further reading, and future
• Glossary