Associate Professor, Environmental Health Sciences; Associate Director, Global Public Health; Professor, Global Public Health
Climate Change, Sustainability, and Global Public Health
What You'll Learn
- Understand climate change, and how it impacts every human and ecosystem on the planet.
- Evaluate the causes and impacts of climate change.
- Explore different sustainability frameworks.
4 Modules
16 Hours
4 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Climate Change, Sustainability, and Global Public Health
The third course of the Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health specialization will introduce you to two major environmental health challenges facing the world today. The first is climate change –the preeminent threat to public health today, and a threat that will impact every human and ecosystem on the planet. We will evaluate the causes and impacts of climate change, as well as policies and approaches that can be used to reduce the impacts of climate change on human health. The second is sustainability, a concept that can be applied to reduce the impacts of human activities on the environment as well as human health. We will explore different sustainability frameworks, as well as the effects of different energy generation sources on the environment and public health.
Skills You'll Gain
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Health Management
- Public Health
- Sustainability Initiatives
- Systems Thinking
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Climate Change, Sustainability, and Global Public Health, an online course exploring the intersection of environmental changes, sustainability, and global health. Over several weeks, you’ll examine the impacts of climate change, policy responses, and strategies for sustainability, supported by real-world examples and practical applications. By the end, you will understand climate change concepts, associate environmental impacts with health outcomes, and apply sustainability practices in daily life.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Impacts of Climate Change
- Video: Climate Change, Sustainability, and Global Public Health
- Reading: Course Syllabus
- Reading: Community Engagement
- Discussion Prompt: Introduce Yourself
- Reading: Help Us Learn More About You!
- Video: Introduction to Climate Change
- Video: Indicators of Climate Change
- Video: Global Impacts of Changes in Climate
- Discussion Prompt: Climate Change and Rising Tides
- Video: National and Local Impacts of Changes in Climate
- Video: Health Impacts of Climate Change
- Video: High vs. Low Income Country Impacts
- Reading: The Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change
- Graded: Week 1 Quiz
Module 2: Responding to Climate Change
- Video: Mitigation vs. Adaptation
- Reading: Optional: Explore NASA Climate Change Website
- Video: Global Climate Change Policy
- Video: National and Local Climate Change Policy
- Video: Evaluating Climate Change Policy
- Graded Assignment: Evaluation of Climate Change Policies Practice Quiz
- Discussion Prompt: Climate Change in the U.S.
- Reading: Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities for Global Health
- Graded Assignment: Carbon Footprint Calculator
- Reading: Optional: Other Personal Carbon Footprint Calculators
Module 3: Sustainability
- Video: Introduction to Sustainability and Energy
- Discussion Prompt: Ways to Increase Sustainability in Your Personal Life
- Video: Types of Energy Sources - Contribution to Pollution
- Video: Energy sources and CO2
- Video: The Problem with Coal
- Video: Efficiency
- Reading: Energy Efficiency
- Video: Sustainability Frameworks
- Video: Next Steps in Addressing Sustainability and Energy Issues
- Reading: Policies for Accelerating Access to Clean Energy, Improving Health, Advancing Development, and Mitigating Climate Change
- Reading: Health Impact Assessment of Global Climate Change
Module 4: Climate Change Case Peer-Review Assignment
- Video: Recap on Climate Change, Sustainability, and Global Public Health
- Graded: Required: Climate Change Case Peer-Review Assignment
Grading Policy
This course requires successful completion of all assignments to pass. A minimum overall grade of 80% is required. There are three quizzes, each worth 20% of your final grade. The Peer-Review Assignment is worth 40% of your final grade.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
