BaCCC/Module 7/Introduction

Module 7: Action for Climate Empowerment

Introduction

Context

Picture this . . .

You are out with a group of friends when someone calls climate change “a hoax.”

Or you are considering what career you would like to train for, and your parents are urging you to get a job in the fossil fuel energy sector because the pay is great.

Or you are online, on your favourite social media site, and you keep coming across climate change deniers, even as everyone who looks (and cares) can see that heatwaves, torrential rains, wild storms, floods, droughts and wildfires are increasing in intensity, frequency and/or duration around the world.

What do you do when faced with these scenarios? You know that this snapshot of climate change in early 2023 could be true of any year from now on.

Early Spring 2023: Climate Change News Headlines

• After a northern hemisphere winter of drought and famine threatening the lives of millions in the Horn of Africa, deadly Cyclone Freddy ripped through southeastern Africa – twice . . . leaving many dead in Malawi and much destruction in its wake.

• Eswatini reeled from rain bombs that caused flooding, bridge and road washouts and mudslides.

• In Namibia, severe drought is causing concern, and in Botswana, the government is having to compensate herders and ranchers for drought-induced attacks by wildlife on their livestock.

• After winter heatwaves in Europe and the worst-ever flooding in parts of Australia, deadly heatwaves hit India early, and increasing lightning storms are killing more and more people in Bangladesh.

• Sea level rise around Papua New Guinea is double the global average, threatening the quantity and quality of their drinking water and forcing the Carteret Islanders to relocate.

• As China prepares for another summer of extended heatwaves and lack of rainfall, an onslaught of extreme weather whiplash with 17+ atmospheric rivers, torrential rains and snowstorms hit California after a years-long, historic megadrought.

• Killer tornadoes scoured across the southern United States.

• Meanwhile, in Canada, the residents of the small town of Lytton that burned to the ground in 2021 – after reaching a Canadian heat record of 49.6ºC – still have not been able to move back home.

So, what will you do? Well, that is what Module 7 is for.

Climate change strikes hard, we strike harder (cropped)

Welcome to the last module of this climate change course. Module 7 is definitely the most fun module – because it is all about you! (Well, almost.)

Before you head into this module, you might want to review the knowledge, skills and attitudes you have learnt from the first six modules. Perhaps you can quickly read through your learning journal.

• Module 1 was a review of the science of climate change.

• Module 2 talked about all the impacts and consequences of climate change.

• Module 3 looked at climate justice.

• Module 4 walked you through the mitigation of the causes of climate change.

• Module 5 helped you explore the concept of intersectionality.

• Module 6 was all about adaptation to the changing climate.

Although there is still much more to learn (as in any field of study), with these understandings, you can now live the life of a climate change-literate person and be able to help in clearing up the misconceptions that delay humanity from taking appropriate action to safeguard life on this precious and beautiful planet.

The constant call for collaborative and innovative responsive efforts to address all the drastic impacts of climate change has resounded far and wide. This module includes three lessons that focus on some of the information, attributes and skills necessary for becoming a climate change communicator and ambassador. In essence, it is the last leg of your journey to becoming a climate change champion – the goal of this whole course!

So, let’s get started on that journey.

Outcomes

Module Outcomes

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the United Nations Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE);
• demonstrate climate change communication and advocacy skills; and
• initiate and participate in a climate change action project.

Learning Approach

Module 7 is divided into three lessons:

Lesson 1: ACE Is the Base!

Lesson 2: Becoming a Climate Change Communicator and Ambassador

Lesson 3: You Are a Climate Champion

The lessons are filled with resources and activities to help you access and grasp all the needed information, skills and attributes to become a climate champion.