A new free e-course at the University of Calgary wants to tackle misinformation and disinformation about climate change.
The course, titled Preparing Albertans for Climate Change, presents evidence-based information on climate change impacts and solutions in a local Alberta context across six modules. All six modules will provide examples of local projects and initiatives in Alberta, as well as actions individuals can incorporate into their everyday lives.
The six modules include:
Climate Change In Alberta
Diversifying Energy
Resilient Communities
Transportation Choices
Efficient Homes
Sustainable Food Systems
The course will also provide participants with a toolkit on how to support community leaders, local organizations and educators. It will also teach participants how to engage others in conversations around climate change.
Rachelle Haddock, manager of partnerships and engagement at the University of Calgary’s Office of Signature Learning Experiences, said the e-course is a “one-stop shop” for anyone hoping to learn more about how climate change affects their local communities. She said around 64 per cent of Albertans are very concerned or concerned about climate change, so there is a demand for factual information about it.
“It’ll take participants about four to five hours to complete the course, and once users are done the course, they can get a certificate of completion that they can use on their resume or their LinkedIn profile,” Haddock told LWC.
“The nice thing about the e-course is users can take it from the comfort of their home at their own pace … If people aren’t interested in doing the entire course, there are different modules that they could explore. I think one of the most useful pieces of information on there is a resource that outlines all of the different organizations, businesses, levels of government, not-for-profits, organizations and citizens who are taking action here in Alberta. People can find some inspiration there.”
Haddock said the team wanted to make the e-course free because accessible, accurate and evidence-based information is the most important tool in fighting misinformation.
The team also wanted to connect Albertans with locally relevant information on impacts and solutions, as well as insights from local experts.
“By focusing in on southern Alberta, we’re enabling people to engage with a topic at a scale they’re familiar with. Climate change impacts how all facets of our lives, from how we work, how we live, how we play, how we engage with our community,” Haddock said.
“There’s psychological research out there that highlights our willingness to trust our neighbours, to work together with neighbours, and so I think [the course] really provides a great foundation for learning and taking action.”
The team also wanted to raise awareness about local climate change initiatives that may not be as well known as large, international advocacy efforts.
“I think another goal would be to generate awareness about all the good work that’s happening here in Alberta around climate change and inspiring Albertans to take action,” Haddock said.
“There’s research that comes out of Yale University looking at how people can move from a place of despair and overwhelmed thinking about climate change into taking action when they see people like themselves doing things to address climate change.”