ABOUT
One of our most popular and successful programmes, The Oxford School of Climate Change, will return for its 6th edition in Michaelmas 2020! Over the course of eight weeks, the School will bring together a diverse group of participants and provide them with a comprehensive education in the core issues underlying climate change, as well as the most promising solutions that have emerged across the world to address it. Participants will get the unique opportunity to learn from some of Oxford University’s most distinguished climate experts, engage in lively group discussions, and become part of our community of tomorrow’s climate leaders.
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DATES: The School will consist of eight weekly seminars. of two hours each. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the School will be online for Michaelmas 2020. This allows us to accept applications from people outside of the Oxford community for the first time ever! The school will run on Zoom Webinar every Thursday from October 15th to December 3rd from 5:30-7:30pm. Successful applicants will be sent the login details (you will hear back about your application shortly after applications close on September 30th).
FORMAT: Each seminar will consist of a lecture given by a leading academic in the field, followed by questions from participants. New to this year's iteration of the School is the introduction of a capstone exercise, which involves working in small groups of 5-6 people to more closely investigate an issue presented in the School. The programme is specifically designed to deliver the interdisciplinary knowledge required for successful climate action, while remaining accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. It will begin with a broad overview of the science and impacts of climate change, before diving into a deeper examination of the areas that are most crucial for coherent climate action, such as energy, transport, and law. The programme will conclude by reviewing local and global frameworks for climate mitigation and adaptation, with a view towards practical actions that can be taken by the participants in their daily lives and future careers. A typical session will include: 40 minute lecture 20 minute guided interview of our expert by OCS members BREAK 30 minutes questions from participants 20 minutes time to work in your groups on capstone FEE: In order to cover the costs of the webinar platform we are using to host this year's School, we are charging a fee of £10 for each participant. However, if you are unable to pay this fee, we have a no questions-asked financial hardship box that you can tick in the online application form (below). Community building is a significant component of the School's programme. Participants will be given the opportunity to meet other climate-conscious individuals, and to work together to apply the knowledge they have learned to future projects beyond the School. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What day of the week is the School of Climate Change? Thursday, starting from October 12th.
What time is the School of Climate Change? 5:30-7:30pm UK time.
What does the capstone project involve? You will be placed in a group of 5-6 people and you will collaboratively pick an environmental problem and map the problems and solutions. The main objective is to take what you've learned, built upon that knowledge and direct it towards a specific issue you find especially interesting.
What is the weekly time commitment for this programme? Two hours per week. You will be given time to work on the capstone within your session but if your group would like to meet more than that, this may increase.
Will I receive a certificate for this programme? We can offer a certificate from the Oxford Climate Society but it is important to note that we are in no way affiliated with degree programmes at the University of Oxford. We are a student-run initiative.
Is there a typical profile for a SoCC applicant? No! We welcome people from all backgrounds, ages, and expertises. Climate change affects us all, so knowing about it is vital no matter what you do or study!
When will I hear if I got into SoCC? Shortly after applications close on September 30th. Thank you for your application!
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR MICHAELMAS 2020
We are currently compiling the curriculum for Michaelmas 2020, but you can see the programme from Hilary 2020 below. Anyone from any background is welcome to apply - we are looking for enthusiasm to learn and a drive to get involved in the climate community, more than specific prior experience.
If you would like more information about the School of Climate Change, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
If you would like more information about the School of Climate Change, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
PROGRAMME DETAILS (from Hilary 2020)
WEEK 1 - THE SCIENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Prof Philip Stier
Professor for Atmospheric Physics and Head of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics at the Department of Physics
‘Scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal.’ - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
What is climate change, what are its physical mechanisms, and what is the evidence? In week 1 of our series, participants will receive a direct and accessible grounding in the science behind the headlines; it is only by understanding the science that leaders take effective action against climate breakdown.
Professor for Atmospheric Physics and Head of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics at the Department of Physics
‘Scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal.’ - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
What is climate change, what are its physical mechanisms, and what is the evidence? In week 1 of our series, participants will receive a direct and accessible grounding in the science behind the headlines; it is only by understanding the science that leaders take effective action against climate breakdown.
WEEK 2 - IMPACTS ON THE NATURAL WORLD
Prof Nathalie Seddon
Professor of Biodiversity and Director of the Nature-Based Solutions Initiative at the Department of Zoology
‘Humans [are modifying] the Earth’s climate in ways that few could have imagined a century ago. The consequences of this change to the climate are seemingly everywhere’ - Committee on Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change Attribution
How will climate change alter trends and extremes in weather systems, how resilient are ecosystems to these changes, what does this mean from a political and humanitarian perspective? In week 2 of our series, participants will learn about how climate change will directly impact life on Earth, providing a scientifically-informed foundation to our subsequent discussions on policy, ethics, and mitigation strategies.
Professor of Biodiversity and Director of the Nature-Based Solutions Initiative at the Department of Zoology
‘Humans [are modifying] the Earth’s climate in ways that few could have imagined a century ago. The consequences of this change to the climate are seemingly everywhere’ - Committee on Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change Attribution
How will climate change alter trends and extremes in weather systems, how resilient are ecosystems to these changes, what does this mean from a political and humanitarian perspective? In week 2 of our series, participants will learn about how climate change will directly impact life on Earth, providing a scientifically-informed foundation to our subsequent discussions on policy, ethics, and mitigation strategies.
WEEK 3 - CITIES AND NON-STATE ACTORS
Dr Radhika Khosla
Research Director of the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development and Senior Researcher at the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment
‘70% of cities are already dealing with the effects of climate change, and nearly all are at risk. [...] There is no single solution for solving global climate change, but cities have the ability, capacity and will to lead.’ - C40 Cities
How vulnerable are cities to the impacts of climate breakdown, how is climate change a social inequality issue? In week 7 of our seminar series participants will learn about the interface between climate change and cities; how cities are contributing to climate breakdown, the physical and financial risk posed by climate change, as well as how they might develop to create a safe and clean future for everyone.
Research Director of the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development and Senior Researcher at the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment
‘70% of cities are already dealing with the effects of climate change, and nearly all are at risk. [...] There is no single solution for solving global climate change, but cities have the ability, capacity and will to lead.’ - C40 Cities
How vulnerable are cities to the impacts of climate breakdown, how is climate change a social inequality issue? In week 7 of our seminar series participants will learn about the interface between climate change and cities; how cities are contributing to climate breakdown, the physical and financial risk posed by climate change, as well as how they might develop to create a safe and clean future for everyone.
WEEK 4 - environmental economics
Prof Cameron Hepburn
Director and Professor of Environmental Economics at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and Director of Economics of Sustainability at the Institute for New Economic Thinking, Oxford Martin School
‘Socio-technological transitions often involve disruptive adjustments, even when they are ultimately beneficial to human welfare. [...] Societies thus face the challenging task of achieving a rapid structural shift to a low-carbon economy, while concurrently avoiding excessive economic losses and safeguarding the stability of the financial system’ - Nature Climate Change volume 8, pages 462–468 (2018)
What is carbon pricing, how realistic is sustainable growth, and what are the ethical implications of pricing natural capital? In week 3 of our seminar series participants will learn about the economy and environment as a holistic system, and how economic tools could be used to fight climate change.
Director and Professor of Environmental Economics at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and Director of Economics of Sustainability at the Institute for New Economic Thinking, Oxford Martin School
‘Socio-technological transitions often involve disruptive adjustments, even when they are ultimately beneficial to human welfare. [...] Societies thus face the challenging task of achieving a rapid structural shift to a low-carbon economy, while concurrently avoiding excessive economic losses and safeguarding the stability of the financial system’ - Nature Climate Change volume 8, pages 462–468 (2018)
What is carbon pricing, how realistic is sustainable growth, and what are the ethical implications of pricing natural capital? In week 3 of our seminar series participants will learn about the economy and environment as a holistic system, and how economic tools could be used to fight climate change.
week 5 - climate policy and law
Prof Tom Hale
Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government
‘Given the pressures facing us, from climate change to forced migration, from land degradation to food and water scarcity, it is clear that our fate as individuals and as a civilisation is based upon our ability to find common solutions. None of these challenges is beyond our collective ingenuity to solve.’ - Richard Kinley, Curator of Profiles of Paris
Who should act on climate change, what tools are available to to fight climate breakdown, how was the Paris agreement possible, and how effective will it be? In week 5 of our seminar series we will be covering the realities of what geopolitical climate action can and can’t achieve, and how social constraints influence potential pathways as much physical ones.
Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government
‘Given the pressures facing us, from climate change to forced migration, from land degradation to food and water scarcity, it is clear that our fate as individuals and as a civilisation is based upon our ability to find common solutions. None of these challenges is beyond our collective ingenuity to solve.’ - Richard Kinley, Curator of Profiles of Paris
Who should act on climate change, what tools are available to to fight climate breakdown, how was the Paris agreement possible, and how effective will it be? In week 5 of our seminar series we will be covering the realities of what geopolitical climate action can and can’t achieve, and how social constraints influence potential pathways as much physical ones.
week 6 - energy policy
Prof Nick Eyre
Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at the Environmental Change Institute and Director for the UK Centre for Research on Energy Demand
‘The role of renewable energy solutions in mitigating climate change is proven. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels and inefficient and outdated coal-fired power plants is one of the main reasons for the energy sector’s high contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. This not only elevates global temperatures but seriously impacts on air quality and human health.’ - UN Development Programme
In week 4 of our seminar series participants will learn about the the role that various energy sources and sinks play in our strategies for achieving net zero carbon emissions.
Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at the Environmental Change Institute and Director for the UK Centre for Research on Energy Demand
‘The role of renewable energy solutions in mitigating climate change is proven. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels and inefficient and outdated coal-fired power plants is one of the main reasons for the energy sector’s high contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. This not only elevates global temperatures but seriously impacts on air quality and human health.’ - UN Development Programme
In week 4 of our seminar series participants will learn about the the role that various energy sources and sinks play in our strategies for achieving net zero carbon emissions.
week 7 - the mobility challenge
Prof Debbie Hopkins
Associate Professor of Human Geography at the School of Geography and the Environment
‘Reducing CO2 emissions is a growing challenge for the transport sector. Transportation produces roughly 23 percent of the global CO2 emissions from fuel combustion [and is] the fastest growing source of CO2 emissions.’ - The World Bank
How does individual experience of urban landscapes affect our emission habits, how might a socio-technical transition away from the automobility paradigm be managed? In week 6 of our seminar series participants will learn about the transport sector’s contributions to climate change, and how we might design a healthy future for the planet, and ourselves.
Associate Professor of Human Geography at the School of Geography and the Environment
‘Reducing CO2 emissions is a growing challenge for the transport sector. Transportation produces roughly 23 percent of the global CO2 emissions from fuel combustion [and is] the fastest growing source of CO2 emissions.’ - The World Bank
How does individual experience of urban landscapes affect our emission habits, how might a socio-technical transition away from the automobility paradigm be managed? In week 6 of our seminar series participants will learn about the transport sector’s contributions to climate change, and how we might design a healthy future for the planet, and ourselves.
week 8 - technical interventions & summary
Prof Gideon Henderson
Professor of Geochemistry and Head of Earth Science Department
‘Effective mitigation will not be achieved if individual agents advance their own interests independently. Climate change has the characteristics of a collective action problem at the global scale [and] international cooperation is therefore required to effectively mitigate GHG emissions and address other climate change issues.’ - IPCC AR5 Summary for Policy Makers
What is the global ‘carbon budget’, how might technical innovations might be used to reach net zero emissions, what are the political and ethical considerations? In week 8 of our seminar series participants will learn about the present, “baked-in”, and future warming states of the climate, and how we realistically might achieve net zero emissions in a manner that limits warming to ‘well below 2C’ as called for in the Paris Agreement.
Professor of Geochemistry and Head of Earth Science Department
‘Effective mitigation will not be achieved if individual agents advance their own interests independently. Climate change has the characteristics of a collective action problem at the global scale [and] international cooperation is therefore required to effectively mitigate GHG emissions and address other climate change issues.’ - IPCC AR5 Summary for Policy Makers
What is the global ‘carbon budget’, how might technical innovations might be used to reach net zero emissions, what are the political and ethical considerations? In week 8 of our seminar series participants will learn about the present, “baked-in”, and future warming states of the climate, and how we realistically might achieve net zero emissions in a manner that limits warming to ‘well below 2C’ as called for in the Paris Agreement.
TESTIMONIALS
The Oxford School of Climate Change was a unique opportunity to learn from the best in the field, and meet students who were passionate about social and environmental justice. It changed my life, and it could change yours, too!
- DPhil Sociology
Taking part in the School of Climate Change was a brilliant experience that allowed me to pursue my interest in climate-related issues amongst a tight knit group of equally enthused climate activists from all disciplines across the university. The diversity of people on this course and our varying specialties allowed us all to learn from one other and the incredibly high standard of speakers meant the discussions that took place were insightful, forward-thinking and at times highly provocative. This course is a must for anyone who feels passionately about wanting to learn more about our 21st century climate crisis and how to begin having an impact solving it!
- BA Geography
Being around such a diverse and interdisciplinary group of students who all care about climate change has been such a refreshing experience at Oxford, not least because of the great array of topics included in the programme. The SoCC covers some of the most defining and contentious debates around solutions to environmental issues, from geoengineering and carbon taxes, to flood prevention and decarbonising the economy.
I loved that the programme offers such a welcoming and open space for discussion and debate, and that it is open to everyone from undergraduates to PhDs. It's given me the opportunity to build on my knowledge of issues around climate change, to be challenged by my peers, to interact with some fantastic speakers, and perhaps most importantly, to build so many new friendships, no doubt with many of the future leaders on climate change.
- MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy
I really loved the course. I really felt like it brought together a community of students and academic professionals to talk about and learn about climate change and think how to approach it taking into account the interdisciplinary approach it demands.
- DPhil Philosophy
Great opportunity to meet like-minded people and discuss climate change from a truly interdisciplinary perspective. Having such a broad range of speakers was also incredibly valuable. Great work!
It was an amazing series. I only wish I could do it all again!
