1. Define and demonstrate an understanding of key concepts and principles that underpin climate change and its consequences.
2. Understand the role of people and the economy as both a driver of climate change and a tool of remediation.
3. Discuss the causes and consequences of climate change, identify, and explain appropriate strategies and initiatives to respond to the climate change challenge
4. Understand the role of social media as a tool for raising awareness of climate change and communicate effectively to a range of audiences the various dimensions of climate change.

The assessment for this module is separated into three and is designed to fulfil several distinct pedagogic aims.

The first element uses social media as a tool for climate change communication with a written and visual element and which focuses on raising awareness of the importance of being carbon literate, allowing students to demonstrate and apply their understanding of the value of behavioural change as a tool for climate change mitigation (Learning outcomes 2 & 4).

The second element is a completed application for certification as carbon literate by the Carbon Literacy Project in which students will summarise what society needs to do to become carbon net zero by 2050, and identify both an individual action and a group action to reduce carbon emissions that they commit to implementing (Learning outcomes 2 & 3). This will be assessed on a pass/fail basis.

The second assessment is an essay allowing students to investigate and evaluate a specific consequence of climate change and identify appropriate responses (Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4).

The class discussions and other learning activities will provide opportunities for students to receive regular formative feedback on their understanding of the key concepts and ideas introduced during the module. They will also be provided with opportunities to discuss their ideas and plans for assessments.

Human activities are changing the world and environment that we live in. An understanding of the complex interactions between our environmental systems and human activities is imperative to the quality of life of future generations. This module: (i) introduces students to the complexity of the crisis that climate change poses to the environment and society at both the global and local levels; (ii) examines the variety of strategies and initiatives that can be used to respond to climate change and (iii) provides them with the opportunity to develop their carbon literacy skills. The module develops students understanding of the unprecedented challenges that climate change is creating for society and introduces them to ways to respond to the challenges presented by a changing climate. The module explores the following topics:
- The science of climate change
- Past climates and the evidence for climate change
- Predicting future climates
- Climate, civilisations, and the Anthropocene
- Drivers and causes of Climate change
- Environmental and societal impacts of climate change
- Politics of climate change
- Responding to a changing climate
- Taking action to change the future

Human activities are changing the world and environment that we live in. An understanding of the complex interactions between our planet and human activities is imperative to the quality of life of future generations. This module: (i) explores the complexity of the crisis that climate change poses to the environment and society at both the global and local levels; (ii) introduces you to the strategies and initiatives that can be used to respond to climate change; and (iii) provides you with the opportunity to develop your carbon literacy skills.

This module will be delivered through a combination of independent and online learning, regular scheduled class sessions, and planning, researching, and producing the module assessments.

Materials and resources that introduce the main themes and key concepts covered in the module, as well as supporting the development of the key skills required to complete the assessment will be made available via the VLE. These may be in the form of pre-recorded lectures, a set of directed readings, links to videos and podcast, or a mixture.

Workshops and seminars will provide students with the opportunity to: (i) debate and further explore the ideas introduced in the learning materials; (ii) discuss how they will use them to address the module assessments; and (iii) receive guidance on completing the assessments.

Students should spend the independent learning hours working through the learning resources and self-instructional materials provided in the VLE, completing preparatory and follow-up activities for the class sessions, and completing the module assessments.

1. Leichenko, R. and O’Brian, K. (2019) Climate and Society: Transforming the Future. Wiley.
2. Carolan, M.S. (2020) Society and the Environment: Pragmatic Solutions to Ecological Issues. Routledge.
3. Ellis, E. C. (2018) The Anthropocene: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford OUP
4. Goudie, A.S. (2018) The Human Impact on the Natural Environment: Past, Present and Future. 8th edition. Blackwell: Oxford.
5. Maslin, M. (2021) Climate Change: A Very Short Introduction. 4th edition Oxford OUP
6. Romm, J. (2022) Climate Change: What Everyone Needs to Know. 3rd edition Oxford OUP

VLE to access on-line learning resources.
High quality teaching space for face-to-face seminars where appropriate with usual audio-visual facilities.
Library resources both online and physical to support research.