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Climate and Energy Systems

Dive into the complex and fascinating world underpinning global climate and energy issues. This course explores the sociopolitical, economic, and scientific context of climate change and introduces key principles for designing solutions.

Course Information

Estimated: 5 weeks, 4-5 hours per week
Part of a Program

About this Course

Gain a broad understanding of the climate challenge and its many interrelated solutions, beginning with an explanation of the planetary, sociopolitical, and economic forces that have brought us to where we are today. Then, examine key principles of earth and climate systems science to establish a foundational understanding of the science at play. Finally, you’ll explore how to think about solutions holistically to ensure they are sustainable, just, and actionable.

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What you'll learn

  • Realize the systems-level view of climate and energy challenges.
  • Apply climate science principles to understand drivers of human-caused climate change.
  • Explore interlinkages between climate, economy, and society through a hands-on climate model.
  • Understand how human behavior, planning, law, policy, Indigenous Knowledges, and earth observations can be used together to advance solutions.
  • Use design thinking to find your unique contribution to climate and energy solutions.

Modules

This course has 5 modules

  • Social, political, and economical context of anthropogenic climate change

  • Earth Systems Science

  • Current Climate Change

  • Tools for Sustainable Design: A makers guide to constructing the future of your dreams

  • If you build it, will they come? The human element

How you'll learn

  • Real-World Learning

    Learn from MIT faculty and experts who ground their teaching in real-world cases rather than mathematical models, making the material approachable for all.

  • Practical Application

    Apply your new knowledge with hands-on, practical exercises drawn from healthcare, sports, finance, sustainability, and more.

  • AI-Enabled Support

    Deepen your understanding of the course material and get help on assignments from AskTIM, the AI assistant built by MIT researchers.

  • Stackable Credentials

    Earn an MIT Open Learning certificate at each milestone—module, course, and program—demonstrating your AI expertise. Available in paid courses only.

Prerequisites

The program is designed for non-technical professionals and is grounded in real-world case studies and practical applications. No experience with climate science or engineering is required.

Meet your instructors

Noelle Selin

Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry; Director, MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy

Noelle Selin is the Director of the MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy, a program incorporating and succeeding both the Center for Global Change Science and Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change while adding new capabilities to produce leading-edge research to help guide societal transitions toward a more sustainable future. Selin’s research uses modeling and analysis to inform sustainability decision-making, focusing on issues involving air pollution, climate change and hazardous substances such as mercury and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). She received her PhD and MA (Earth and Planetary Sciences) and BA (Environmental Science and Public Policy) from Harvard University. Prior to joining the MIT faculty, she was a research scientist with the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change. (source)