Applied Policy Analysis: Climate Change

This course will analyze different aspects of policy to mitigate climate change, bringing to bear the perspectives of science and social science. Topics for discussion will include: 1) assessment of the scientific data on climate change; 2) discussion of the ways that climate change is a policy issue; 3) evaluation of strategies and technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change; 4) explanation of policy development up to the present, as policy has been impacted by scientific, economic, and political factors; the changing climate change agenda; decision-making at international, national, and local arenas; and the interplay between the various arenas; and 5) policy recommendations for effective and feasible action to meet the climate change challenge of 2009 in international and U.S. policy arenas.