[[ENV 979] () ] / 2022-2023

Climate Solutions Capstone: Sub-National Actors

Credits: 3

The recent IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5° C above preindustrial levels provided a stark warning of the future our planet faces unless we make dramatic and meaningful greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions by 2030—approximately 50% reductions below 2010 levels. In the United States, in the absence of leadership at the federal level, states, cities, and institutions must step into the breach if we have any hope of addressing the climate crisis.
 
This capstone course provides students the opportunity to work in teams with clients from state government, city government, academic institutions and/or the non-profit sector.  Representative clients may include the State of Connecticut, the City of New Haven, the US Climate Alliance, SustainableCT, Yale University, AudubonCT, the Trust for Public Land, Save the Sound, or similar organizations. Students will analyze, model, and/or implement de-carbonization policies and programs in key sectors, including electricity, buildings, transportation, materials management, and/or natural/working lands.
 
The course will start with introductory sessions on the climate crisis, as well as teamwork and consulting skills. Most class sessions will be split between a seminar-style discussion on innovative sub-national de-carbonization policies, and time for students to work on their projects, with opportunities for feedback and guidance from the instructor and each other. At the end of the semester, the students will present their findings and recommendations to their project clients and each other.
 
This course is being coordinated with the fall climate solutions capstone on nature based solutions (taught by Brad Gentry), so that active and on-going relationships can be maintained with clients over time. 
Limited to 20