When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 4 modules in this course
This course explores and critically analyzes historical and contemporary climate policies (e.g. Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement). Political issues pertaining to energy sources, such as nuclear energy, will be reviewed. The course will focus on understanding key climate principles and terms surrounding policy development, specifically for low-income or developing countries/communities. Further, this course explores up-to-date technologies that are used in climate analysis.
This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The MS-DS is an interdisciplinary degree that brings together faculty from CU Boulder’s departments of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Science, and others. The degree offers targeted courses, short 8-week sessions, and pay-as-you-go tuition. Admission is based on performance in three preliminary courses, not academic history. CU degrees on Coursera are ideal for recent graduates or working professionals. Learn more:
MS in Data Science: https://www.coursera.org/degrees/master-of-science-data-science-boulder
In this module, you will delve into critical aspects of energy and environmental governance, starting with an exploration of global climate policies and their effectiveness. The focus then shifts to understanding the historical development and contemporary debates surrounding nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels, examining its potential roles and challenges. The module concludes with an exploration of future energy landscapes, emphasizing renewable energy sources and their policy incentives in the United States.
Energy and Climate Governance: Interview with Scott Rayder•32 minutes
9 readings•Total 151 minutes
Course Updates and Accessibility Support•1 minute
Earn Academic Credit for your Work!•10 minutes
Course Support•10 minutes
Course Outline•10 minutes
Global Climate Policies •15 minutes
International Climate Change Policy•35 minutes
What Is Renewable Energy? •15 minutes
Can the World Rely on Renewable Energy? (BBC)•25 minutes
Renewable Energy Policy Incentives in the US•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Scott Rayder Interview Review•15 minutes
2 peer reviews•Total 105 minutes
Renewable Energy Reflection•45 minutes
Renewable Energy Incentives Analysis•60 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 40 minutes
Impacts of Paris Agreement and Kyoto Protocol•20 minutes
Renewable Energy•20 minutes
Introduction to Nuclear Power
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will embark on an in-depth exploration of nuclear power, beginning with a foundational understanding of what nuclear power entails. Then, you will explore various perspectives of nuclear power as an alternative energy source before examining nuclear energy policies and technological advancements tailored for the 21st century, analyzing how regulations and innovations shape the nuclear energy landscape globally.
What's included
4 readings1 assignment1 peer review
Show info about module content
4 readings•Total 91 minutes
What is Nuclear Power?•15 minutes
Why I Changed My Mind About Nuclear Power (TEDx)•21 minutes
Why Nuclear Energy Is Our Best Solution (TEDx)•10 minutes
Nuclear Energy Policies and Technology for the 21st Century•45 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Nuclear Energy Policies•15 minutes
1 peer review•Total 45 minutes
Nuclear Energy Reflection•45 minutes
Natural Impact of a Warming Planet
Module 3•4 hours to complete
Module details
This module centers on an exploration of climate change and its multifaceted impacts. You will begin by examining the fundamentals of climate change before delving into the intricate relationship between weather patterns and climate change, analyzing how global warming influences regional climates and exacerbates extreme weather events. The discussion then shifts to the phenomena of El Niño and La Niña, exploring their roles in altering weather patterns globally and their implications for climate variability. You will also investigate the alarming trend of mountain glacier recession, studying the environmental, social, and hydrological ramifications of diminishing glaciers worldwide.
What's included
8 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts
Show info about module content
8 readings•Total 127 minutes
Climate Change Impacts•25 minutes
Weather and Climate Change•5 minutes
Extreme Weather and Climate Change•20 minutes
What is El Niño and La Niña?•10 minutes
El Niño and La Niña and Climate Change•20 minutes
Mountain Glaciers and a Warming Planet•5 minutes
Yukon Glaciers•12 minutes
Mountain Glacier Recession•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Impact of a Warming Planet Reflection•60 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 40 minutes
Impacts of Climate Change•20 minutes
Weather and Climate Change•20 minutes
Energy and Climate Governance: The Intermingling of Both
Module 4•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this final module, you will explore future emission scenarios and mitigation strategies crucial for addressing climate change. First, you will examine emission scenarios, discussing how different projections influence climate models and policy decisions, and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), analyzing these pathways as frameworks for quantifying greenhouse gas concentrations and their impacts on global climate. Then you will explore carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, focusing on their role in mitigating emissions by capturing CO2 from industrial processes and storing it underground.
Emission Scenarios and Representative Concentration Pathways•60 minutes
Carbon Capture and Storage•45 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
View eligible degrees
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.
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To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.