Connecting for Climate Change Action

Abstract

Rapid, unprecedented climate warming is occurring because of increased concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases due to the use of fossil fuels. As Earth’s climate warms, extreme heat events will increase, sea levels will rise, freshwater resources will become more scarce and infectious diseases will spread. Despite imminent threats from climate change and the need for people from all sectors, backgrounds, and disciplines to contribute to solutions, we avoid taking actions necessary for mitigation. We created Connecting for Climate Change Action, aimed at community and Post-Secondary learners from a range of disciplines. The course combines Western and Indigenous Sciences to educate and encourage discussions on climate change. We provide innovative, experiential, online learning opportunities to engage and stimulate student action to mitigate climate change and leave Earth a sustainable place for future generations. The course contains approximately eight weeks of materials and is packaged in four modules: 1) Ways of Knowing the Climate is Changing, which provides an introduction to euro-western Science and Indigenous Knowledge, and explores positionality; 2) The Earth, Climate and Connections, which provides a basic understanding of the Earth and its climate system, and examines various views of human's role in the Earth system; 3) Why is the Earth's Climate Changing?, which provides an overview of the knowledge we have of climate change, 4) Emissions, Responsibility, and Reimagining Economies, which shows the complexities of responsibility for our current situation reflect on Indigenous economies that emphasize respect and reciprocity.

Connecting for Climate Change Action is accompanied by a freely available Facilitator Guide Pressbook.