The Politics of Climate Change

Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(27)

In this one-day course we will examine the politics of climate change.

Class Experience

US Grade 7 - 10

What can and should be done about climate change? If scientists agree that ambitious actions are needed to prevent catastrophe, why are governments moving so slowly? The answer to this has as much to do with politics as the science behind the crisis. Should we rely on individuals or governments to change their behaviors? Should we increase regulations or rely on free-market solutions? How are different countries approaching the crisis? How do different political-economic systems respond to...

Students will learn the basics of the different types of political-economic systems common today and compare them in terms of how each of them tend to view and respond to climate change. Students will learn about the Paris Accords, as well as examples of political approaches being utilized by different governments. Students will learn the difference between climate change adaptation and mitigation. Students will learn the difference between actions taken at the individual, national, and international levels.

I have taught political science courses at the university level for years. As a result, I have experience navigating these subjects in a sensitive way that minimizes bias. I have taught an undergraduate course on environmental politics. I have additionally used climate change as a case study in many of my other political science courses. I am a comparativist and have taught comparative politics extensively; this is the approach I will be utilizing in this course.

50 minutes per week in class, and maybe some time outside of class.

This one-day class accepts the broad scientific consensus that human-caused climate change is real. We will be discussing the politics of addressing the crisis. In terms of the different political-economic systems introduced and compared, I will not be taking sides.

Our source material consists of:
A) The April International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Mitigation of Climate Change Summary for Policy Makers, available at
https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg3/pdf/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_SummaryForPolicymakers.pdf
B) Yale Climate Connections "Key Takeaways from the New IPCC Report", available at
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/08/key-takeaways-from-the-new-ipcc-report/
C) Columbia University SIPA Center "The Role of Natural Gas in the Energy Transition", available at 
https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/research/commentary/role-natural-gas-energy-transition

Available times

Pacific

Table of available sections

Meet the teacher

Dr. Matthew Hall

Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(27)

Hi there!! I have been teaching most of my adult life in one form or another. I taught political science courses to undergrads for several years at Old Dominion University here in Norfolk, Virginia. My classes here are intended to help provide...