Open for the Climate

Big data and the algorithms used in data science, together with the corresponding process and its technology tools, have important implications for addressing climate change. From machine learning algorithms to data visualization, data science methods are used to investigate and better understand climate change and its various effects on land, sea, food, etc.Data science is a powerful approach which is capable of helping practitioners, and policy-makers understand the uncertainties and ambiguities inherent in data, to identify interventions, strategies, and solutions that realize the benefits for humanity and the environment, and to evaluate the multiple– and sometimes conflicting–goals of decision-makers. In this MOOC course, we introduce methods pertaining to the growing field of data science and apply them to issues relevant to climate change. Topics Data science Analytics as a process Data-driven decisions Climate change Applications of data science in climate change Course content Understand data science Learn about the sources of big data Understand the basics of climate change, its impacts and sustainable development goals Get to know data-driven decisions and how they are made Highlight some climate change challenges that are directly or indirectly related to data science Apply data science knowledge and skills to make climate change related decisions Learn how others have used data science in association with addressing climate change problems You will learnBy the end of the course, you will be able to: obtain and analyze datasets; make data-driven decisions; identify and address climate change challenges using data science Who is the course for?This course is designed for those who want to improve their analytics and data-driven decision-making skills, with an emphasis on utilizing such skills for addressing climate change challenges. The course will also be useful for practitioners and policy-makers as they can benefit from understanding the uncertainties and ambiguities inherent in data and using it to identify interventions, strategies, and solutions that realize benefits for humanity and the environment.

FOR WHO: The course is targeting professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of emissions from transportation, e.g. high school teachers, civil servants and politicians in public administration, engineers in the field of transport (car manufacturers, fuel production, logistics, ...) WHAT AND WHY: The purpose of the course is to provide a holistic perspective and increased knowledge in air pollution, to distinguish between climate effects and health effects, but also to provide insight into the tools to bring about social change. The climate is changing at an increasingly rapid pace and all the focus is on reducing CO2 emissions. However, our society relies heavily on energy conversions, e.g. for transport. Although some transport uses renewable (liquid) fuels, the CO2 balance is affected. Even if some transport is electrified, more CO2 emissions arise in the manufacture of, for example, batteries (and many cases of fossil-based electricity production). But transport also creates other emissions, so-called local emissions which mainly affect people and nature. As modern combustion engines emit very little air pollution, the composition changes and so-called wear particles also play a greater role in human health. Air pollution causes about 5 million premature deaths and is, after cancer, the greatest threat to human health. But local emissions also affect the climate. For example, marine transport will contribute with so-called albedo effects due to particle emissions (from internal combustion engines) and risk worsening climate change even more. This course deals with all the different aspects of air pollution from transport. WHEN AND HOW: You choose when and at what pace you want to carry out the steps. All parts of the course are free of charge. The course consists of five modules: 1.     Introduction 2.     The energy system and energy carriers 3.     Energy converters (engines) and reduction of emissions (exhaust gas treatment) 4.     Measurement and monitoring 5.     Health effects, societal aspects Each module contains several lectures and for each lecture and module there is a quiz where you can get confirmation that you have understood the most important things. Going through the entire course takes about 3–5 weeks, depending on how intensively/extensively you read. You can also choose to read parts of the course

Materials are all around us, in your house, in your phone and in the air you breathe. But what is material and why is it so important? Right now, the green transition is underway, but how do we create a more sustainable world - from raw material to product? It's all about materials. How does material feel? How are materials chosen? What are the materials of the future? Join us and discover our world of materials! The course containsIn this course we go through the basics of what materials are and why they are so important. You get to discover materials, get to know materials and be inspired by the materials of the future. The following areas are included in the course: What is material? How does material feel? How are materials chosen? How are materials recycled? What are the materials of the future? You will learnAt the end of the course you should be able to: Discover and reflect on the world and meaning of materials Get a feel for different materials Discover and analyze materials in your vicinity Understand that different materials are chosen based on the area of use Understand and reflect on the possibilities of materials and their role in the green transition Who is the course for?This is a course suitable for EVERYONE who is curious about the materials in their surroundings, regardless of background and age. The course requires no prior knowledge. It is for those of you who have an interest in a sustainable future and who wonder what role materials have in the green transition. The course is given in Swedish.

The use of hydrogen is increasing sharply in the world. If you want to know the basics about hydrogen then this is the course for you. What will you learn?You get answers to questions such as: Why is hydrogen interesting? How is hydrogen produced? How is hydrogen distributed and stored? How can hydrogen be handled safely? How is hydrogen used to change to a sustainable and environmentally friendly society? Who is the course for?The course is for anyone who is curious to know a little more about hydrogen. Advanced knowledge of chemistry and physics is enough to keep up. Who are the teachers?Assistant Professor Erik Elfgren, Professor Rikard Gebart, Dr Fredrik Granberg, Dr Cecilia Wallmark, Professor Andrea Toffolo, Professor Xiaoyan Ji, Professor Kentaro Umeki, Luleå Univerity of Technology and Professor Thomas Wågberg, Umeå University.

Society is transitioning from oil dependency to metal dependency as we are turning to fossil-free alternatives in the energy and transport sectors. Today, many more metals in the periodic table are used in our daily lives compared to only a few decades ago and many metals that previously had marginal applications are today central to achieving the climate goals. But where do these metals come from and how are they linked to geology?In this course, you will explore the basics of geology and understand how geology controls where critical metals are in the earth’s crust. You will gain insight into what it takes to mine an ore body and broaden your perspective on what risks and challenges we are facing when it comes to the raw material supply that drives the fossil-free energy transition. This course covers the role of ore geology in the transition to fossil-free energy and transport systems, which means that we are moving from oil dependency to metal dependency. Geological processes throughout the earth’s history are responsible for the current distribution of ore deposits. By understanding how these ore forming processes work, we can better explain why certain metals occur in extractable amounts in one place while being almost absent in another. To meet the global demand of metals needed in, for example, solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries, a thorough understanding of how geological processes work is fundamental. In this course, you will be introduced to the fantastic world of the subsurface that made all the technology you take for granted possible.    You will explore: What critical metals are, where they are produced today, and what risks and challenges are involved in the supply of raw materials that drives the fossil-free energy transition. Basic geology – minerals, rock types, geological structures and why they matter. What an ore is and the natural processes that accumulate metals in the earth’s crust.  This course is designed for people that would like to gain knowledge about the role of geology in the transition to fossil-free energy systems. The course is for those who want to know more about what critical metals are, how an ore is formed, and about risks and challenges coupled to the supply of raw materials that drive the energy transition. This may include politicians and other authorities, teachers and students in elementary and high school that want to know more about subjects critical to the energy transition. It may also include university students within the social sciences, and many more. The course will also be useful for anyone who is employed and wishes to upskill within the area of societal challenges coupled to the supply of raw materials and the need for metals in modern society. The course will be given in english.

The course is given by Chalmers University of Technology. VIDEOCLIP - TEASER: Take two min to get a sense of the course and hear why you should take it: https://play.chalmers.se/embed/secure/iframe/entryId/0_wvsk9cji/uiConfId/23450493/st/0 FOR WHO: The course aims at professionals working with or affected by ongoing sustainability transitions. For example, the course targets professionals such as: Those who work with environmental policy related business development and sustainability practice in larger corporations. Examples of typical sectors include transport, energy, food and manufacturing. Civil servants within authorities or municipal operations who are responsible for issues with climate relevance or circular economy. Professionals working with development cooperations, or in intergovernmental organizations with related issues. Applied researchers who want to get an introduction to the subjects. WHAT AND WHY: In this course your invited to learn from the experience and knowledge of a world-leading expert in environmental policy instruments (Thomas Sterner) who, with the help of pedagogical experts, has cherry-picked content from a master's course at Chalmers and tailored the course structure for you as a professional. In the wake of the increased pace of ongoing sustainability transitions, environmental policies are becoming more comprehensive, complex and stringent. The purpose of this course is to give professionals an introduction to the portfolio of environmental policy instruments and equip them with tools to understand the mechanisms of the respective instruments and learn to work strategically with them in their own practice. The course will focus on topics such as climate change, the circular economy, and the energy crisis. To learn from the experience of thought leaders from several major industries, you will be able to view interviews with experts who talk about the role and implications of policies to their work and the sustainability transitions of their industry. WHEN AND HOW: All parts of the course are free of charge, and you choose when and at what pace you want to complete the course elements. The course will be given in English, and the estimated time spent is 35-50 hours, depending on how much of the optional material you chose to study. The course offers you the possibility to tailor the learning experience as it fits best with your professional development. Therefore, it is recommended to read the course together with colleagues, to share joint learning and anchor it in your daily work. However, this is not a requirement. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: The course gives a broad overview of the economic concepts underlying environmental policymaking. You will get insights into the practicalities of environmental and climate policies, both from the perspectives of those implementing the policy and of those facing new regulations. On completion of the course, you will for example be able to: describe and recognize how environmental policy instruments work. identify and relate to which environmental policy instruments are key to climate action and circular economy efforts in one's own sector and organization. The course offers a dynamic learning environment with short videos, quizzes, exercises, and resources.

Cities around the world are facing the challenge of dealing with stormwater to protect against flooding caused by heavy rainfall. Future climate change will make this even more difficult. This course gives an introduction to how can we manage stormwater in a sustainable way in the coming decades.The course containsThe course covers the hydrological cycle and how this is affected by urbanization, as well as rainfall and how this is affected by climate change. The problems with traditional pipe-based drainage systems are discussed before looking at green stormwater infrastructure as a sustainable alternative. Finally, the course looks at how stormwater can be integrated into urban planning. What are you learning?How urbanization affects the water cycle.How rainfall is affected by future climate change.What facilities can be used to manage stormwater in a sustainable way.The role that stormwater plays in urban planning. Who is the course for?This course is designed for anyone who may encounter stormwater in their work, as well as anyone who wants to know more about how we can build a society that is prepared for the effects of future climate change. The course will be given in English.