Climate Change courses
Cornell University offers numerous climate change courses that train students about this critical issue from many different disciplinary perspectives – including the physical, ecological, social sciences, and humanities. To search for climate change courses at Cornell, go to the Cornell course roster, and enter “climate change” in the search box.
Global Climate Change Science and Policy Course
This course, offered in the fall semester by Dr. Allison Chatrchyan and Dr. Natalie Mahowald, introduces students to climate change science and policy, with a focus on how science factors into global policy making, including through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Students in the Global Climate Change Science and Policy course work with partners to assist them with climate change–related research projects and preparation for upcoming climate negotiations or meetings.
Climate Smart Communities Course
This course introduces students to the vibrant world of sub-national and non-state climate change science, policy, and action. Students will critically analyze the theory of multilevel governance and debate the importance of non-state and sub-national actors working at multiple levels; and learn about the process of state and local environmental and climate change policymaking in New York. Students will work in teams with local Cooperative Extension staff, and with a local community, to help them assess their local climate change commitments, climate action plans or projects.
Climate Change MOOC
Interested in working toward climate solutions? Want to learn more about how to talk to people about climate change? The Network Climate Action: Scaling Up Your Impact online course covers the basics of climate change, from science to action, and will assist you in developing a consistent climate message.
Cornell Climate Change Minor
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and dozens of courses at Cornell explore the many facets of a warming world—from impacts on farming and food, to the causes of climate change, from the potential of sustainable energy to replace fossil fuels, to the slow response of governments worldwide. The Climate Change Minor gives students the opportunity to explore climate change from varied disciplinary perspectives while gaining a firm grounding in the basic physical, ecological, and social science as well as its interactions with history, philosophy and the arts. Based in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the minor is available to all Cornell undergraduates.
The Climate Change minor is administered by the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. For more information, see the Climate Change Minor Requirements, or contact Natalie Mahowald (nmm63@cornell.edu) for curricular advising, or Carl Cornell (cec232@cornell.edu) for administration.
Cornell Student organizations
Thoughtful and energetic student organizations serve as the backbone for Cornell’s sustainability efforts. There are active student groups contributing working on climate change and sustainability initiatives, including Cornell Environmental Collaborative (ECO) and Climate Justice Cornell. Whether designing and developing solar houses, growing organic food, or simply spreading awareness of environmental issues, students are working diligently every day towards a greener campus and a brighter world. Get Involved!