Language: English
Understanding Climate Change: Key Terms and Concepts – Course outline
Kind of delivery: Fully Online
Number of hours:
4 hours
Course duration:
Self-paced, no fixed duration
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome to this self-paced online course designed to give you a clear and practical understanding of climate change, especially the key terms and concepts that shape how we talk about and respond to it.
Whether you’re a community organiser, educator, trade unionist, youth activist, or simply someone wanting to learn more, this course will help you build a solid foundation in climate literacy. Through short videos, reflective forums, and shared learning, you’ll connect global knowledge to your local context and gain insight into solutions that matter.
WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR?
- Community organisers
- Educators
- Trade union members and leaders
- Youth activists
- Anyone interested in gaining basic knowledge of climate change and its social impacts
PRE-REQUISITES: WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED CRITERIA FOR ATTENDING THIS COURSE?
- No prior knowledge of climate change is required.
- Basic digital skills for navigating an online platform.
- Access to the internet and a device (phone, tablet, or computer).
COURSE DURATION, NUMBER OF SESSIONS AND MODE OF DELIVERY
Course duration: Self-paced; approximately 4–6 hours total.
Mode of delivery: Fully online via The IFWEA Online Labour Academy platform, using short videos, forums, and practical activities.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
At the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Understand core terms and concepts related to climate change.
- Explain how carbon emissions and carbon inequality contribute to the climate crisis.
- Describe major impacts of climate change globally and locally.
- Identify key solutions and actions individuals and communities can take.
- Recognise why urgent and collective action is essential for climate justice.
SESSION OVERVIEW
Unit 1: Welcome & Introduction
ONLINE LEARNING MODE: Self-learning activities on the IFWEA Online Labour Academy
DESCRIPTION AND TOPICS: Introduction to the course and platform. Learners introduce themselves in a forum.
DURATION (minutes): 30 minutes
Unit 2: Carbon Causes Climate Change
ONLINE LEARNING MODE: Self-learning activities on the IFWEA Online Labour Academy
DESCRIPTION AND TOPICS: How greenhouse gases cause climate change.
DURATION (minutes): 40 minutes
Unit 3: Carbon Inequality
ONLINE LEARNING MODE: Self-learning activities on the IFWEA Online Labour Academy
DESCRIPTION AND TOPICS:Unequal contributions to carbon emissions and justice issues.
DURATION (minutes): 40 minutes
Unit 4: Impacts of Climate Change
ONLINE LEARNING MODE: Self-learning activities on the IFWEA Online Labour Academy
DESCRIPTION AND TOPICS: Effects of climate change on health, weather, and livelihoods.
DURATION (minutes): 40 minutes
Unit 5: What Can Be Done
ONLINE LEARNING MODE: Self-learning activities on the IFWEA Online Labour Academy
DESCRIPTION AND TOPICS:Solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
DURATION (minutes): 40 minutes
Unit 6: Urgent Action Needed
ONLINE LEARNING MODE: Self-learning activities on the IFWEA Online Labour Academy
DESCRIPTION AND TOPICS: Importance of immediate climate action and tipping points.
DURATION (minutes): 40 minutes
Wrap-up & Evaluation
ONLINE LEARNING MODE: Self-learning activities on the IFWEA Online Labour Academy
DESCRIPTION AND TOPICS: Learners reflect on course and complete a course evaluation.
DURATION (minutes): 30 minutes