The Earth System as Global Common
- Duration: 15 hours
- Effort: 15 hours
- Pace: Self paced
- Enrollment
- From Jan. 11, 2022 to July 7, 2022
- Course
- From Feb. 22, 2022 to Aug. 25, 2022
- Languages
- English
What you will learn
- Learn new scientific concepts in Earth System Science, Law, Governance and Social Sciences;
- Understand how the Anthropocene geological epoch impacts the future of climate issues;
- Learn to assess the climate crisis from a multi- and inter-disciplinary perspective;
- Be engaged in contemporary political discourse concerning the legal status of a stable climate;
- Research first-hand the measures and responsibilities you could apply in your urban environment.
Description
Our daily decisions impact the the Earth System and, consequently our climate. A stable climate is our Common Heritage and we are all responsible for restoring and maintaining it.
In the real world, a stable climate is a common good not only from a legal perspective as it is materially and legally indivisible, but also from an economic perspective, as it is limited, exhaustible, and rival in consumption. These factors are highly relevant in the failure of carbon markets designed to reduce global emissions.
Despite 25 years in climate negotiations, none of the proposed solutions have generated a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. To fulfill the Paris Agreement goal, emissions would have to decrease 45% by 2030, not 0.5% as previously estimated.
The Earth is approaching a potential planetary "Tipping Point" with no point of return, but there is still a possible restoration path, which will only be achieved if we are capable of truly rapid and coordinated collective action.
This MOOC deepens into the roots of the climate crisis and teaches us how to collectively act to stop global warming.
Prerequisites
This course is dedicated to everyone interested in the structural causes of the climate crisis and those willing to fight it.
Awareness and technological development are no longer enough to stop global warming. Societies need to create the minimum structural conditions necessary to enable collective action and achieve the goals set by multilateral agreements, such as the Paris Agreement.
The course was developed in English, with texts and subtitles available both in English and Portuguese.
Assessment and certification
Your knowledge will be tested throughout the course through quizzes and a peer-reviewed activity that will prove your new skills.
To obtain the Certificate of Conclusion you’ll have to complete all evaluations (quizzes and peer-reviewed activity) and achieve a minimum percentage of 50% of correct answers.
Course plan
– with Prof. Katherine Richardson, University of Copenhagen, and Prof.Will Steffen, Australian National University
– with. Prof. Filipe Duarte Santos, University of Lisbon
– with Lionel Chami, Global Pact Coalition, and Prof. Klaus Bosselmann, University of Auckland
– with Prof. Viriato Soromenho-Marques, University of Lisbon
– with Prof. Alexandra Aragão, University of Coimbra, and Prof. Prue Taylor, University of Auckland
– with Prof. Louis Kotzé, North-West University, and Paulo Magalhães, Common Home of Humanity
– with Prof. Iva Pires, New University of Lisbon
Other course runs
No other course runs
Course team
Katherine Richardson
Will Steffen
Filipe Duarte Santos
Klaus Bosselmann
Viriato Soromenho-Marques
Alexandra Aragão
Prue Taylor
Louis Kotzé
Paulo Magalhães
Organizations
Organizers
Funders
License
License for the course content
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
- NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.