As climate change proceeds, in tandem with other issues flagged by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we need to think critically about how we are, and should be, responding. In this course you will gain integrated, critical knowledge of climate change responses in theory and practice. Looking at responses from the individual to institutional to international level, you will explore the social, cultural, political and psychological aspects of such responses and the practical challenges they pose. You will gain a sophisticated understanding of how responses including adaptation, mitigation, climate-smart development, resilience thinking and carbon sequestration are shaped by existing contexts and demand new capabilities.
The course focuses on the complex 'human dimensions' of climate change. Drawing on case studies from around the world, you will be required to consider how climate change is understood and framed differently by diverse groups of people, relates to other pressing challenges such as urbanisation and poses opportunities for positive transformational change. In particular, you will explore the conceptual and practical issues climate change poses to different groups including urban dwellers and planners. You will develop an understanding of how we can respond to the complex issues of vulnerability, adaptive capacity, justice and ethics that incremental and transformational responses generate. You will learn to identify key barriers to ideal climate change responses and possible strategies for addressing them.