Climate Adaptation: Planning and Policy

Climate adaptation is critical to sustainability across social and geographic scales. Through this course, students learn the importance of climate adaptation, its costs and benefits, and how to develop an adaptation plan at whatever scale is needed and for a broad array of communities. Students learn about the steps involved in assessing vulnerabilities and how to take the necessary steps to reduce those vulnerabilities through adaptation planning. Because we cannot adapt infinitely, students learn how to find and implement carbon mitigation opportunities. The implementation and effectiveness of mitigation and adaptation actions necessary to stabilize the climate and create a sustainable environment depend significantly on climate policy. The promulgation of climate policy alone, however, is not sufficient and depends on planning methods capable of fostering actions that meet policy goals. Therefore, students also develop a broad understanding of current domestic and international climate policies and agreements, as well as planning frameworks that help structure actions, hold parties accountable, and create incentives and mechanisms toward climate adaptation. Understanding climate policy is necessary for describing legal standards, regulatory attainment, the terms of treaties and agreements, and how to meet such benchmarks.