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Innovation including research

Could we control our climate?

Humanity is facing the global challenge of our time – climate crisis – and we need radical creative thinking to tackle it. Giant mirrors in space and artificial volcanic eruptions are just two ideas being proposed. What action would you take to limit future warming and save the planet? And what would be the consequences for society?

  • Date (DD-MM-YYYY)

    25-08-2025 to 25-08-2026

    Available on-demand until 25th August 2026

  • CPD points/hours/credits

    Free statement of participation on completion

  • Cost

    Free

  • Education type

    Virtual

  • CPD subtype

    On-demand

In this free course you will imagine a future in which humanity has taken radical action to tackle the climate crisis: by engineering the climate, using technology to ‘set the thermostat dial’ of the planet. This will help you understand many issues around humanity’s response to the climate crisis.

You will learn a basic grounding in the maths of climate science, so you can understand the nature of the problem, then move on to think about potential engineering solutions. In doing so, you will consider five broad questions:

  1. What is ‘engineering the climate’?
  2. Why engineer the climate?
  3. How could we engineer the climate?
  4. Should we engineer the climate?
  5. Will we engineer the climate?

This course will develop your confidence and skills for online study, whether this is to explore environmental topics or as part of your preparation for other study.

This OpenLearn science course was produced with the kind support of Dangoor Education, the educational arm of The Exilarch's Foundation.

Contact details

Education Provider

Open Learn (The Open University)

19 active educational opportunities

The Open University Shop, Walton Drive, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK7 6AA

[email protected]

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