Tipping Points: Climate Change and Society

Online Course

University of Exeter

Future Learn

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Tipping Points: Climate Change and Society

What is the course about?
Prerequisites & Facts
Cost, Certificate & Degree
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What is the course about?

Tipping Points: Climate Change and Society

The course Tipping Points: Climate Change and Society is an online class provided by University of Exeter through Future Learn. It may be possible to receive a verified certification or use the course to prepare for a degree.

Discover how rapid changes to natural systems may make Earth look very different in the future.

Course description

Explore the possible future of Earth
2 weeks

A tipping point occurs when there’s a shift in the state of a system towards a new equilibrium. We’re now facing tipping points in our climate system that could accelerate the dangerous effects of climate change. Natural systems will change, as will human systems. In future we could see the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, dieback of the Amazon or droughts across the Sahel but also behavioural changes and regional warfare.
On this course you will explore the concept of tipping points from an interdisciplinary perspective, discovering their role in climate change and the future.

What are ‘tipping points’?
Recognising early warning signals for major tipping points
Tipping points in the climate system – Arctic, Amazon and Circulation systems
Tipping Points and policy
Links between tipping points and social systems – Syrian droughts and conflict
Positive tipping points – influencing behavioural change and collective action

Explain what a tipping point is
Explore the potential for tipping points to drastically change the climate system
Apply your knowledge of tipping points to the Arctic, Amazon and circulation systems
Investigate how tipping points might affect your life
Debate the relevance of using ‘tipping points’ to shape policy
Discuss the concept of tipping points in relation to social systems

This course is for people with a basic knowledge of climate change science (to get an introduction join the course Climate Change: The Science).

University of Exeter
The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university. It combines world-class research with very high levels of student satisfaction.

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Prerequisites & Facts

Tipping Points: Climate Change and Society

Course Topic

Climate Change, Nature & Environment, Politics & Society, Social Issues

University, College, Institution

University of Exeter

Course Skill Level

see course summary

Course Language

English

Place of class

Online, self-paced (see curriculum for more information)

Degree

Certificate

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Degree & Cost

Tipping Points: Climate Change and Society

To obtain a verified certificate from Future Learn / University of Exeter you have to finish this course or the latest version of it, if there is a new edition. The class may be free of charge, but there could be some cost to receive a verified certificate or to access the learning materials. The specifics of the course may have been changed, please consult the provider to get the latest quotes and news.

University of Exeter

Tipping Points: Climate Change and Society

provided by Future Learn

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