Overview
 Actions, Solutions, Growth: University Partners (ASG) is a partnership of continuing and professional education leaders at large nonprofit and for-profit universities in North America. Formed in 2005, its mission is to collaborate on a variety of initiatives, including the development of joint educational programs that are innovative and of the highest quality.
Offered jointly by University of California, Irvine Extension, Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies, University of British Columbia Continuing Studies, and University of Washington Educational Outreach.
This four-course, online certificate program is ideal for municipal, regional, state, and federal officials; environmental planners and managers; corporate operations and utility managers; and consultants in the sustainability field. Participants will benefit from the expertise and resources of four North American universities that are leaders in the study of climate change. The program is project based and emphasizes practical skills and real-life scenarios. Upon successful completion of all four courses, participants will receive a joint certificate issued by the four sponsoring universities.
How to Apply
To apply to this program, please submit a copy of your résumé listing education and applicable experience and a typed (250-word maximum) letter of application describing your relevant work experience and how you expect the program will help you meet your professional goals.
You may apply online via the University of Washington Extension online application system. Students who are accepted into the program will receive information about registering for courses through the individual universities listed above. |
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Online Courses
- Strategic Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change: Addresses strategic planning for adapting to and minimizing climate change. Topics include scenario building; mapping climate change to major sectors; understanding the long-term lifecycle planning process; cost analysis; risk assessment; health, safety and equity issues; plan establishment and implementation; and evaluating effectiveness of the adaptation response. Presented by University of Washington in fall 2009.
- Climate Literacy: Introduction to the factors influencing climate including interactions among the atmosphere, oceans, solid earth, and biosphere. Addresses the causes of global warming; greenhouse gases; physical carbon flows and their measurement; the carbon cycle; climate modeling; and social impacts of climate change. Presented by University of British Columbia in winter 2010.
- The Business of Mitigating Climate Change: Assessment of the financial, environmental and business aspects of mitigation efforts and creation of a strategic competitive advantage for an organization. Topics include measuring carbon footprints; identifying areas for mitigation including transportation, fuel usage, and facilities and selecting best tactics; the triple bottom line and the cost/benefit carbon analysis; economic incentives for increasing carbon sequestration and substitution; and evaluating the effectiveness of the program. Presented by the University of California, Irvine in spring 2010.
- Policy Responses and Options: Study of existing government policies such as the Kyoto Accord; the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (ETS); the approaches of less developed nations such as China and India; and local approaches in the U.S. Presents market-based and economy-wide options for reducing carbon in the atmosphere plus use of renewable energy innovations, efficiency standards, and green forest practices. Presented by Northwestern University in summer 2010.
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