Course overview:

The Climate Change Education course responds to the claim for mitigation of the climate change and the adaptation to it. It is an effort to transform the school into a learning organization, focusing on climate change, through the implementation of a four pilar- indicators approach. This effort is directed towards the sustainability of the school as social structure and as a learning organization, improving its resilience and outcomes.

This course is designed to be interdisciplinary, incorporating elements of science, social science, ethics, and policy, to provide teachers with a holistic understanding of the complexities of climate change and the urgent need for collective action. Main goal is to make teachers capable and self efficient to teach climate change at school. The content of the course will cover a broad range of topics, incorporating scientific, social, economic, and policy perspectives. The course contains:

Introduction to Climate Change:

• Definition and basic concepts
• Historical context of climate change
• Overview of key terms (e.g., greenhouse gases, global warming)
• Evidence of climate change (temperature records, ice melt, sea-level rise)

Causes of Climate Change:

• Anthropogenic factors (human activities)
• Natural factors (solar radiation, volcanic activity)

Impacts of Climate Change:

• Environmental consequences (e.g., biodiversity loss, extreme weather events)
• Social and economic impacts (e.g., food security, water scarcity)

Mitigation Strategies:

• Renewable energy sources
• Energy efficiency
• Carbon capture and storage

Adaptation Strategies:

• Building resilience in communities
• Infrastructure planning for climate resilience
• Ecosystem-based adaptation

International Agreements and Policies:

Social and Ethical Dimensions:

• Global responsibility and intergenerational equity
• Climate refugees and migration

Education for Sustainable Development:

• Integrating climate change education into school curricula

Interactive Learning:

• Workshops, simulations, and group projects to engage students actively
• Field trips and practical experiences

Assessment and Evaluation:

• Methods for assessing the understanding of climate change concepts
• Evaluation of individual and group projects

Future Challenges and Opportunities:

• Innovations and technological advancements

Reflection and Action:

• Encouraging personal and collective responsibility
• Empowering individuals to take action in their communities