Academic Program

Skip Over Breadcrumbs and Secondary Navigation

Climate Mitigation and Adaptation CONCENTRATION

Concentration Director:

Director of Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Concentration
Associate Faculty

Concentration Description:

The Climate Mitigation and Adaptation concentration provides an interdisciplinary approach for students to advance their career by providing the knowledge and skills necessary to assess the impacts of climate change and vulnerability, and to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation measures for both developed and developing nations. The concentration explores the contemporary perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs associated with the climate debate by defining the issues and framing the localized nature of impacts. Analysis of different regions around the globe will provide insight on climate change mitigation policy, climate change impacts and vulnerabilities, adaptation planning, and societal resilience. The concentration emphasizes the translation of policy and research into climate-smart mitigation and adaptation strategies that will yield sustainable and resilient communities.

Learning Outcomes :

Analyze concerns of climate change and explore current perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs
Understand the social, economic, and political impacts of climate change
Develop a solid understanding of the consequences, risks, and uncertainties of climatic influences on urban environments, population distribution, food availability, water resources, and energy security
Analyze different strategies for reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions
Assess different pathways of climate resilience and sustainability at the local, regional, and national levels
Understand how cities build resilience in the face of a changing climate through the integration of adaptation strategies
Explore national and international policy responses to the challenges of climate change
Demonstrate effective communication to effectively translate climate change science for local decision-makers

Concentration Courses:

IDS 6276 Navigating the Sustainable Food/Energy/Water Nexus (Credit Hours: 3)
IDS 6280 Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (Credit Hours: 3)

Choose one of the following courses:

IDS 6938 Sustainability Design Laboratory (Credit Hours: 3)
IDS 6244 Waste Not, Want Not: Reconsidering Waste, Re-purposing Wasted Resources (Credit Hours: 3)
IDS 6707 Envisioning Sustainability: Tools for 21st Century Communicators of Sustainability (Credit Hours: 3)