The Earth System as Global Common

About

Our daily decisions impact the Earth System and, consequently our climate. A stable climate is our Common Heritage and we are all responsible for restoring and maintaining it.
 

In the real world, a stable climate is a common good not only from a legal perspective as it is materially and legally indivisible, but also from an economic perspective, as it is limited, exhaustible, and rival in consumption. These factors are highly relevant in the failure of carbon markets designed to reduce global emissions.
 

Despite 25 years in climate negotiations, none of the proposed solutions have generated a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. To fulfill the Paris Agreement goal, emissions would have to decrease 45% by 2030, not 0.5% as previously estimated.
 

The Earth is approaching a potential planetary "Tipping Point" with no point of return, but there is still a possible restoration path, which will only be achieved if we are capable of truly rapid and coordinated collective action.
 

This MOOC deepens into the roots of the climate crisis and teaches us how to collectively act to stop global warming.
 

Who should do this MOOC

This course is dedicated to everyone interested in the structural causes of the climate crisis and those willing to fight it.
 

Awareness and technological development are no longer enough to stop global warming. Societies need to create the minimum structural conditions necessary to enable collective action and achieve the goals set by multilateral agreements, such as the Paris Agreement.
 

The course was developed in English, with texts and subtitles available both in English and Portuguese.
 

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course you will:

• Learn new scientific concepts in Earth System Science, Law, Governance and Social Sciences;
• Understand how the Anthropocene geological epoch impacts the future of climate issues;
• Learn to assess the climate crisis from a multi- and inter-disciplinary perspective;
• Be engaged in contemporary political discourse concerning the legal status of a stable climate;
• Research first-hand the measures and responsibilities you could apply in your urban environment.
   

Program

Module 1: Earth System Science – with Prof. Katherine Richardson, University of Copenhagen, and Prof. Will Steffen, Australian National University

Module 2: Mitigation of Climate Change: The Climate Crisis – with. Prof. Filipe Duarte Santos, University of Lisbon.

Module 3: International Environmental Law and Governance - with Lionel Chami, Global Pact Coalition, and Prof. Klaus Bosselmann, University of Auckland

Module 4: A Culture of the Commons - with Prof. Viriato Soromenho-Marques, University of Lisbon

Module 5: Common Heritage (CH) and The Duty of Legal Innovation and the Common Heritage - with Prof. Alexandra Aragão, University of Coimbra, and Prof. Prue Taylor, University of Auckland

Module 6: Earth System Law and the Stable Climate as a Common Heritage of Humankind - with Prof. Louis Kotzé, North-West University, and Paulo Magalhães, CIJE - Universidade do Porto / Common Home of Humanity

Module 7: Managing Global Commons - with Prof. Iva Pires, New University of Lisbon
 

Duration

Classes start on February 22nd 2022.

You may complete the course in just seven weeks, considering two to four days with approximately 20 minutes of course work.
 

Evaluation

Your knowledge will be tested throughout the course through quizzes and a peer-reviewed activity that will prove your new skills.
 

Certificate

To obtain the Certificate of Conclusion you’ll have to complete all evaluations (quizzes and peer-reviewed activity) and achieve a minimum percentage of 50% of correct answers.
 

Help

For technical problems that arise, when using the platform, please visit:

• ajuda@nau.edu.pt

For matters related to the content of the training, please contact:

• earthsystemmooc@gmai.com