Esri, the global leader in geographic information system (GIS) technology, announced it will offer a new massive open online course (MOOC) exploring the application of its software to address climate change impacts.
The complimentary course will be available this fall for six weeks on the Esri Academy website and includes full access to ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Network Analyst, ArcGIS Online, and other ArcGIS software that uses science-based tools and authoritative data.
GIS for Climate Action opens on October 25 and provides a comprehensive introduction to how GIS software is used to ingest, map, visualize, analyze, and share massive amounts of data.
Scientists, researchers, business leaders, and policymakers rely on GIS to glean insight that supports sound decisions. Participants in the MOOC will gain experience using a suite of ArcGIS software as they work through real-world scenarios to visualize climate hazards, analyze climate-related risks to people and the natural and built environments, and determine where to deploy effective solutions.
Chief Scientist of Esri, Dawn Wright, a lauded expert in geography and oceanography and the first Black person to explore and map Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean, will host the course.
“In this MOOC, we’ll dive into scientific principles and explore climate change indicators, risks, and options to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, protect vulnerable populations—and much more,” said Wright. “Taking positive climate action can begin with the simple act of talking about how it affects the people and places that you love.”
Course videos feature Wright having frank conversations with leading climate experts and individuals taking action to infuse sustainability into education and their local communities. Other videos feature discussions between Esri technology experts on the front lines of helping organizations understand and address climate risks.
Each section of the course will focus on a specific topic and application. From determining optimal locations to install solar panels to planning adaptations that will mitigate high heat to optimizing travel routes, participants will explore a wide range of scenarios using real data and powerful ArcGIS tools.
“I invite anyone who is worried about climate change and wants to make a difference to join this course,” continued Wright. “It should also be a lot of fun!”
Sparking positive action requires effective communication, and course participants will learn how to use ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Instant Apps, and ArcGIS StoryMaps to share data and their analysis results using visually appealing information products that will resonate with decision-makers and the public.
