American universities are increasing developing degree programs dedicated to climate change, drawing students who want to help find solutions to what they’ve experienced during their childhood and teen years.
Schools that have created majors, minors and certificates for climate change education including Yale University, University California, Los Angeles, the University of Washington, Northern Vermont University, the University of Montana and Utah State University. The University of Arizona open its Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions 10 years ago, while Columbia University opened its Climate School in 2020.
Students are drawn to these degrees because of how climate change is affecting more people. However, they’re also interested because of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which includes the largest climate investment in American history, and the increasing number of climate-focused jobs.
The programs focus on how the Earth’s atmosphere is changing because of burning coal, oil and gas, the way crop production will change due to a warming planet, and how renewable energy plays a role in eliminating fossil fuels. Beyond that, the students also cover disaster response, public communication, and ethical and environmental justice.
