Class Outline Information

The Reality of Climate Change

This adult education class offered by Wildflower UU church.  This class assumes students have a basic understanding of climate change and will go deeper into a comprehensive collection of issues.  Classes will include presentations, short videos, and discussions.  Classes are open to anyone interested.  There is no fee or registration required.  They will be held at the Faith Presbyterian Fellowship Hall on 1314 E Oltorf St, Austin.  Classes are on Sunday evening from 7:00pm to 8:30pm starting on 1/26 and ending on 2/23.

Class I:  Brief overview of impacts, basic science, politics and solutions.  A history and timeline of the climate change movement.  What’s been happening in the past few years.  Emerging religious movements view of climate change, including the UUA, Wildflower UU, and other Austin religious organizations.  Sharing of personal interests, motivation, and activities. 

Class II:  Major global impacts now and in the future: IPCC report, and other breaking news focusing on melting ice, ocean acidification, sea level rise, drought.  Impacts on food production, social justice, conflict, population dislocation.  Tipping points, timelines of changes, and putting things into perspective.

Class III:  Social and Political Aspects of the Climate Debate:  How leaders, media, regular people are thinking (or not thinking) about climate change.  The skeptics, their arguments and motives, and how to address them. How public opinion is changing.

Class IV:  Legal Issues, Treaties, Progress, Setbacks, and Outlook:  A brief review of history, followed by a look at what’s happening around Austin, Texas, nationally, and internationally, and what we can expect on the legal front in the coming years. 

Class V:  Solutions are possible, promise of renewables, carbon tax, success stories of environmental policy changes, actions we can take now, locally as individuals, congregation, politically.   The Austin Coal plant and the movement to close it. Movements to stop the XL pipeline.  350.org.