UWE launches UK-first course about the climate emergency for free
The online course was developed with students after a successful campaign led by UWE Bristol undergraduates Adam Edwards and Harry O’Higgins
Last updated 6th Jul 2024
For what's believed to be a first in the UK, Bristol's University of the West of England is now offering a free course for all students about the climate emergency.
The course has been launched after a student-led campaign by undergraduates Adam Edwards and Harry O'Higgins, who called on UWE to implement compulsory climate education, amid the climate crisis.
They took their campaign, with support from the Students' Union, to the Vice-Chancellor of the uni, who then set to work with them to develop the nine-hour online course.
It's hoped students will be able to better understand the climate crisis, its causes and consequences and what they can do to mitigate emissions, with this year being the pilot of the scheme before a full module rollout in the 2024/5 academic year if it's successful.
UWE also say there is also potential to make the course available to members of the public.
Climate change modules have traditionally been limited to courses such as environmental sciences, geography, politics, wildlife ecology and conservation science in UK universities, so this is hoped to make learning more about the world around us more accessible than ever.
Harry O’Higgins, who studied Accounting and Finance at UWE Bristol, said: “My colleague Adam and I realised the profound impacts of the climate emergency – they are life-altering, career changing and can be paralysing.
"It demands a full, detailed education that everyone should have access to. The more informed we are, the better we can mitigate climate change. How can a university prepare us for life after education without equipping us with the knowledge of what our personal and career futures will look like on a warming planet?”
Adam Edwards, studying for a master’s degree in Financial Technology at UWE Bristol, said: “This course is not just climate literacy, which is offered across some other academic institutions, rather this module offers the opportunity to truly understand and connect with the climate crisis and how it will affect the future. We hope it will inspire students to become agents of change, because this is an issue where everything is on the line.”
The optional course has been developed alongside the students by a team of academic staff, professional services staff and staff from the university’s Digital Learning Service.
Professor Sir Steve West, Vice-Chancellor at UWE Bristol, said: “Climate change is real and it’s with us now - we’re already starting to see profound impacts on our biodiversity, our climate and on humanity. Now is the time to act and we need to do this in a purposeful way.
“I’m delighted that we have developed this course collectively, with the student body and staff working together with a shared passion for tackling the climate emergency and making a difference. I’m looking forward to seeing all our students and staff engaging with this excellent module to benefit from a deeper understanding of the issues and the actions we all need to take.”
To mark the launch of the course, a special event ‘Are we consuming our way to Climate Change’, a conversation with Aja Barber on the impact of fast fashion and consumer culture on social justice and climate change, took place yesterday (20 September).
Professor Jim Longhurst, UWE Bristol’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Environment and Sustainability, said: “UWE Bristol’s students will live their life course in a time of profound climate and environmental change. Students increasingly expect that their higher education experience will prepare them for the challenges that they will encounter in their life course and to help them cope with rising levels of anxiety about the climate crisis.”
UWE Bristol was named as a ‘1st Class’ university for sustainability in People & Planet’s latest sustainability league table, and has no investments in fossil fuel companies.
Later this year the University will complete one of the UK's largest Passivhaus low carbon developments, with a new student accommodation development on its Frenchay campus, which you can find out more about here.