Learn Climate Science

Earth's climate, change, and policy levers. A free, structured curriculum: 5 units · 20 lessons · self-paced.

Unit 1: Components of Climate Science

Lesson 1.1: What Is Climate Science: The System Overview

Lesson 1.2: Identifying Key Components

Lesson 1.3: How Each Component Functions

Lesson 1.4: Inputs, Outputs, and Boundaries

Unit 2: How the System Interacts

Lesson 2.1: Relationships Between Components

Lesson 2.2: Feedback Loops and Dependencies

Lesson 2.3: Flow of Information and Resources

Lesson 2.4: Bottlenecks and Failure Points

Unit 3: Analyzing Climate Science

Lesson 3.1: Measuring System Performance

Lesson 3.2: Key Metrics and Indicators

Lesson 3.3: Diagnostic Frameworks

Lesson 3.4: Comparing Alternative System Designs

Unit 4: Optimization and Improvement

Lesson 4.1: Identifying Optimization Opportunities

Lesson 4.2: Trade-Offs and Constraints

Lesson 4.3: Strategies for System Improvement

Lesson 4.4: Scaling and Sustainability

Unit 5: Climate Science in the Real World

Lesson 5.1: Real-World System Case Studies

Lesson 5.2: Policy and Decision Making

Lesson 5.3: Stakeholders and Competing Interests

Lesson 5.4: Future Trends and Disruptions

Sample lesson preview

What Is Climate Science: The System Overview

Understand what Climate Science is and why it matters.

Climate Science is best understood through its purpose: what problem does it solve, or what need does it address? Rather than starting with a textbook definition, think about when and why people encounter Climate Science in real life. Understanding the "why" first makes the technical details much easier to grasp. The simplest test of understanding: can you explain it in one sentence to someone who's never heard of it?