Tackling the Climate Crisis: Innovation from Cuba

An unexpected source for inspiration, Cuba has had no choice but to find low-cost ways of dealing with decades of crises, disasters, and emergencies, leading to a unique “thrifty innovation” approach that has achieved remarkable results.

This course explores a new take on innovation to tackle the climate crisis, tracing the evolution of Cuban science and unique solutions through resourceful resilience.

Learn new methodologies and develop skills to innovate

Find out how Cubans have developed strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation, including innovations in food production, protection of coastal areas, coping with rising urban temperatures, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Drawing inspiration from distinctive Cuban methodologies, our academic research and holistic view provides an innovation framework to develop your own appropriate, possible, and actionable solutions to tackle climate change.

This unique 10-week microcredential is more than discovering and learning about new innovative ways of tackling the climate crisis. You will be equipped with tools and insights that you can apply to your chosen challenge.

Discover how Cuba’s “thrifty innovation” can help develop solutions to climate change challenges

This course looks at what characterises the Cuban approach to innovation as it is applied to different challenges. You’ll also learn how you might apply some of the principles to tackling climate change.

You’ll discover how Cubans are focusing on natural solutions and community involvement to protect coastal areas and adapt their food system to ensure basic nutritional needs are met. Then, you’ll discuss how, in the face of extreme weather events, the Cuban approach to disaster readiness, responsiveness, and recovery (DRRR) has minimised loss of life.

Although Cuba’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is minuscule, you’ll discover what it can gain from a low-carbon future. You’ll also see how its scientists, engineers, and planners are applying “thrifty innovation” to the challenge.

Throughout the course you’ll take part in weekly activities to support and consolidate your learning. At the end of the course, having explored different perspectives from Cuba, you’ll submit an assessment which is marked and graded by academic experts from The Open University. You’ll be invited to share your thoughts and plans for action, using the “thrifty innovation” framework, alongside your new knowledge and skills, to tackle the climate crisis the Cuban way.

Courses under this program:
Course 1: Tackling the Climate Crisis: Innovation from Cuba
-Explore Cuba’s response to crises and how their “thrifty innovation” can help develop solutions to climate change challenges.