Duration
5 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Climate Solutions: Malawi
Tackle the climate emergency in Malawi
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. The impacts of climate change are already being felt across the world, and these impacts are set to worsen in years to come.
On this five-week course from the University of Edinburgh, you’ll gain the knowledge and tools you need to help tackle the climate crisis, homing in on the specific challenges faced in Malawi.
Explore climate science, economics, and policy
The science is now unequivocal that humans are the main driver of changes we are seeing in our climate. This course will guide you through the history of global climate change, and provide an overview of the impact it is having on our world.
You’ll delve further into climate science, policy, and economics, covering key concepts like the carbon cycle, greenhouse gases, and climate justice.
Investigate how climate change is impacting Malawi
Global economic inequalities mean that some countries are disproportionately impacted by climate risks. In Malawi, the effects of rising temperatures and hazards like drought or flooding are significantly reducing the country’s ability to combat poverty.
Guided by researchers and local climate experts, you’ll learn more about the specific situation in Malawi. You’ll explore how Malawi’s climate has changed in recent years and how these changes are making it harder for the country to achieve its development goals.
Discover how you can combat climate change
Finally, you’ll look at ways of mitigating climate risk and things you can do to help tackle the climate crisis. You’ll compare existing initiatives, new solutions, and recent developments in climate activism.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a clear sense of actions you can take to get involved and inspire others to fight the climate crisis.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to Climate Change
Get Started
Meet the team who created and run this course, find out what you'll be learning, and introduce yourself to your global learning community.
Introduction
Find out what you'll be learning this week, meet your global learning community, and do a quick quiz to get started.
What is Climate Change?
Learn the basics of climate change and the urgency of the climate crisis.
Global Impacts of Climate Change
Discover what is driving changes in our climate, and the impacts on natural and human systems.
Climate Justice
Learn more about who is most affected by climate impacts, and who is responsible. Discover why climate justice is key to tackling the climate crisis.
Knowledge Check
Reflect on what you've learned about climate change.
Week 2
Climate Science
Introduction
Find out what you'll be learning this week, and do a quick quiz to get started.
It's Only Natural... Isn't It?
Find out more about the drivers of climate change, and how the carbon cycle works.
Our Changing Climate
Discover how scientists study the climate and how greenhouse gas emissions have changed over time.
Knowledge Check
Reflect on what you've learned about climate science.
Week 3
Climate Change Impacts
Introduction
Find out what you'll be learning this week, do a quick quiz to get started, and take some time to reflect on what we've covered so far.
Our Future Climate
Find out how data, models, and supercomputers can help us to understand what the future of our climate might hold.
Malawi's Climate
Learn more about the past and future of Malawi's climate. Analyse changes in your hometown, and discuss your experiences of climate change impacts.
Knowledge Check
Reflect on what you've learned about the impacts of climate change.
Week 4
Managing Climate Risk
Introduction
Find out what you'll be learning this week, and do a quick quiz to get started.
Understanding and Managing Risk
Learn how we can use tools such as the risk triangle to assess and manage the impact of climate hazards.
Mitigation and Adaptation
Learn how we can use an understanding of risk, and the hierarchy of responses, to mitigate and adapt to changes in our climate.
Knowledge Check
Reflect on what you've learned about managing climate risk.
Week 5
Global Climate Solutions
Introduction
Find out what you'll be learning this week, and do a quick quiz to get started.
Who Shapes Climate Solutions?
A look at the key players in shaping and acting on climate solutions, and international climate change policies and agreements.
Climate Change and Development
Discover how climate change and development are connected, and take a closer look at the UN Sustainable Development Goals - "a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all".
Measuring Our Impact
Our actions and behaviour have an impact on the planet. Discover how we can measure it and the effect of consumerism on climate change.
Get Involved and Inspire Others
Find out what you can do to make a positive impact on climate change, and how you can raise awareness and inspire action in others to help tackle the global crisis.
Knowledge Check
Reflect on what you've learned about global climate solutions.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explain what global climate change is and how to address it.
- Summarise the science, policy and business contexts of global climate change.
- Describe the current climate of Malawi and how climate change has already impacted, and will continue to impact, Malawi.
- Identify how everyone, including young people, can drive action and take actions themselves.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in climate change.
It will be particularly useful for college and university students based in Malawi or with an interest in Malawi’s climate challenges.
Who will you learn with?
Erika is a climate change researcher and teacher at the University of Edinburgh. She has worked with businesses, policy makers, communities and individuals from around the world on climate solutions.
Climate change scientist at the University of Edinburgh; Co-chair of the Just Transition Commission
Galina is a PhD candidate at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and The University of Edinburgh. She investigates greenhouse gas emissions from forest soils with a focus on the nitrogen cycle.
Gautam is a Senior Policy Advisor in the Ministry of Energy, Government of Ontario, Canada. He has worked on climate policy, GHG emissions accounting, and electricity markets for 10+ years
Nishtha is a social entrepreneur currently working with the Delhi government as a Research Fellow. She finished her masters in Carbon Management from the University of Edinburgh in 2019.
Khalid studies for a Master’s of Science in Sustainable Energy Systems at the University of Edinburgh. He focuses his studies on developing sustainable innovation frameworks for national bodies.
Poornima is a senior research analyst with CSTEP India, working on energy transitions and urbanisation challenges. She has a background in carbon management and urban planning.
Shahed holds a masters degree in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh. She currently works in Emirates National Bank in Dubai.
Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI)
Collaborating to accelerate climate action. Located in the heart of Edinburgh, ECCI is a leading centre for research, teaching, policy and practice for climate action, and a centre of excellence within the School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh. Established in 2010, ECCI has consistently worked towards a climate-neutral Scotland and the wider world.
Climate Solutions
Every organisation has a role to play in helping to address climate change. The Climate Solutions Network offers in-depth courses designed for the Director & CEO level. The Network is a partnership between the Institute of Directors, University of Stirling, University of Edinburgh, and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
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Choose the best way to learn for you! | $79/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 12 Mar 2025 |
Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$79/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 12 Mar 2025
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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