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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
E SD064.
Course Title (CB02)
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in California
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course will examine the various strategies and approaches being taken at the state and local/regional levels to address both the root causes and the anticipated effects of global warming/climate change here in California. Students will explore associated job and career opportunities in monitoring, mitigation, and adaptation to climate change.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable and is a requirement for the CTE Certificate and Degree in Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention. The course meets a student identified need to learn about how global warming/climate change is being addressed here in California and how students can help in those efforts.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments from the text and other assigned sources.
  2. Writing assignments involving summary, synthesis and critical analysis of data and information.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Quizzes to evaluate student comprehension of course concepts and principles and their application.
  2. Written homework assignments that require students to demonstrate the ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze course concepts and principles and their application.
  3. A comprehensive Final Exam to evaluate student comprehension of course concepts and principles and their application.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies: A LEED Platinum-rated green building designed to showcase and teach effective energy management, efficient environmental resource use, and pollution prevention (which all helps to reduce global warming)
  • Includes various environmental monitoring equipment and systems, including a rooftop air pollution monitoring station that monitors ambient carbon dioxide levels (the principle greenhouse gas of concern in global warming)

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Mann & Kump. "Dire Predictions: The Illustrated Guide to the Findings of the IPCC." 2nd Edition. Dorling Kindersley (Pearson Education). 2015.
Kahrl and Roland-Holst. "Climate Change in California: Risk and Response." UC Press. 2012.
California State Government Websites such as: California Climate Change Portal (www.climatechange.ca.gov). California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Climate Change Programs (including AB 32) website (www.arb.ca.gov/cc/cc.htm) Cal-Adapt (California Energy Commission) website (http://cal-adapt.org)
Local/Regional Government Websites such as: Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Climate Change Programs website (www.baaqmd.gov/plans-and-climate/climate-protection)
Cool California (gov't/university/non-profit partnership) website (www.coolcalifornia.org)

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Archer & Rahmstorf. "The Climate Crisis: An Introductory Guide to Climate Change." Cambridge University Press. 2009.
National Council for Science & the Environment. "The Climate Solutions Consensus." Island Press. 2010.
Paul Hawken (editor). "Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed To Reverse Global Warming." Penguin Books. 2017.
Boswell, Greve, & Seale. "Local Climate Action Planning." Island Press. 2012.
International Government Websites such as: UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) website (http://ipcc.ch)
US Government Websites such as:<br /> US Global Change Research Program website (www.globalchange.gov)<br /> US Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Change website (www.epa.gov/climatechange)<br /> US Dept of Energy (DOE) website (http://energy.gov)

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Explore and assess the root causes and the anticipated effects of global warming/global climate change.
  • Examine and assess the state's approach to reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs).
  • Examine and assess California's "Cap-and-Trade" Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Program
  • Examine and assess other notable state-level efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Examine and assess State-level Climate Change Adaptation Strategies & Implementation Plans
  • Examine and assess local/regional efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or adapt to climate change effects.
  • Examine relevant monitoring, assessment, and mitigation/adaptation technologies/techniques, systems & tools.
  • Examine and assess how one can personally help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and influence relevant government policy.
  • Explore potential job and career opportunities in helping to mitigate and/or adapt to climate change.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate the elements, principles and practices involved with climate change mitigation and adaptation in California.

Outline

  1. Explore and assess the root causes and the anticipated effects of global warming/global climate change.
    1. Explore and assess the basic science of global warming/global climate change.
    2. Explore and assess the anticipated effects of global warming/global climate change.
    3. Explore and assess the past, present, and projected future levels of greenhouse gas emissions and their corresponding sources.
    4. Explore and assess key reports/assessments issued by entities at the international, national, state, and local levels.
      1. Explore and assess key reports/assessments issued by international entities such as the UN's International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Global Assessment Reports.
      2. Explore and assess key reports/assessments issued by national (U.S.) entities such as the U.S. National Climate Assessment report and the Climate Change Indicators in the U.S. Report.
      3. Explore and assess key reports/assessments issued by state (California) entities such as the California Climate Change Assessment reports.
      4. Explore and assess key reports/assessments issued by local entities such as the City of San Jose's "Climate Smart San Jose" plan.
  2. Examine and assess the state's approach to reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs).
    1. Examine the background and history of state law AB 32, California's Global Warming Solutions Act.
      1. Examine the scope and goals of AB 32.
      2. Examine the specific requirements of AB 32,
    2. Examine California's Initial Climate Change Scoping Plan
      1. Examine development of the plan and the general approach adopted.
      2. Examine the specific Emissions Reduction Measures (ERMs) adopted.
      3. Examine the results achieved under California's Initial Climate Change Scoping Plan
    3. Examine the First Update to California's Climate Change Scoping Plan
      1. Examine development of the first update and the general approach adopted.
      2. Examine the specific Economic Sectors and other Key Areas targeted along with corresponding General Strategies and Specific Actions adopted for those sectors/areas.
      3. Examine the results achieved under the First Update to California's Climate Change Scoping Plan.
    4. Examine the Second Update to California's Climate Change Scoping Plan
      1. Examine development of the second update and the general approach adopted.
      2. Examine the "2017 Scoping Plan Scenario” - specific policy measures/actions put forth to meet the 2030 state greenhouse gas reduction goal.
  3. Examine and assess California’s "Cap-and-Trade" Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Program
    1. Examine the general concept of a "cap-and-trade" system.
    2. Contrast a "cap-and-trade" approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions versus alternative policy approaches such as regulatory emissions standards or implementation of a carbon tax.
    3. Examine the background and history of California's Cap-and-Trade Program.
    4. Examine and assess California's Cap-and-Trade Program as currently implemented.
      1. Examine the scope of the program in terms of businesses and activities covered.
      2. Examine and assess the process employed (allowances distributed or auctioned off, qualifying offsets, emissions reporting and verification, governing regulations, declining "cap" over time, etc.).
      3. Examine compliance and enforcement-related issues and concerns.
    5. Examine programs funded by cap-and-trade allowance auction monies via the state's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund ("California Climate Investments").
  4. Examine and assess other notable state-level efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
    1. Investigate state law SB 375: The Sustainable Communities & Climate Protection Act
    2. Investigate the “CoolCalifornia” Program
    3. Investigate SB 100: The 100% Clean Energy Act of 2018
    4. Investigate Executive Order B-55-18: "Carbon neutrality" to be achieved statewide by 2045.
  5. Examine and assess State-level Climate Change Adaptation Strategies & Implementation Plans
    1. Examine the original California Climate Adaptation Strategy
    2. Examine the Safeguarding California Plan (strategic plan issued in 2014)
    3. Examine the Safeguarding California Implementation Plans
    4. Examine the 2018 Update to the Safeguarding California Plan.
  6. Examine and assess local/regional efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or adapt to climate change effects.
    1. Investigate local/regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plans (GHGRPs).
    2. Investigate local/regional Climate Action Plans (CAPs).
  7. Examine relevant monitoring, assessment, and mitigation/adaptation technologies/techniques, systems & tools.
    1. Examine relevant technologies/techniques, systems & tools for monitoring and quantifying the levels of greenhouse gas emissions from various sources.
    2. Examine relevant technologies/techniques, systems & tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from various sources.
    3. Examine relevant technologies/techniques, systems & tools for monitoring and quantifying the effects of climate change now and in the future.
    4. Examine relevant technologies/techniques, systems & tools for adapting to the effects of climate change now and in the future.
  8. Examine and assess how one can personally help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and influence relevant government policy.
    1. Investigate available "carbon footprint" calculators for individuals and households.
    2. Investigate potential carbon footprint reduction actions for individuals and households.
    3. Investigate opportunities for citizen participation in preparation, implementation, and updating of local/regional Climate Action Plans and/or Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plans.
    4. Investigate opportunities for citizen action through public interest groups such as 350.org.
  9. Explore potential job and career opportunities in helping to mitigate and/or adapt to climate change.
    1. Explore job and career opportunities at government agencies.
    2. Explore job and career opportunities at non-profit organizations.
    3. Explore job and career opportunities with business/industry.
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