Watch/Listen Now: "Compassionate Era: Bahá’í Teachings on the Animal Kingdom" recorded April 16th
Climate Change

This course provides a basic understanding of the causes and impacts of climate change, reflects on its ethical challenges from a Bahá’í perspective, and discusses fundamental social change.

Social Transformation
Duration
8 weeks
Weekly Study
4-6 HOURS
Dates
Apr 12-Jun 6
Register By
April 17, 2023

Climate change is not merely an environmental issue. It has far-reaching implications for our efforts to relieve poverty, to establish and maintain peace, and for the economy.
Many climate-change related natural disasters such as more devastating storms, heat waves, droughts, and wildfires, as well as heavy downpours, floods, and mud slides have already caused much human suffering and economic loss. Many plant and animal species cannot survive rising temperatures, and the Earth's natural systems, on which humans depend, are unraveling. Rising sea levels threaten low-lying coastal areas all over the world, including large coastal cities. Many millions of people will be displaced. The threat of climate change to us, our children and grandchildren is immense, and its long-term consequences are unprecedented in human history. The people who suffer first and the most from the impacts of climate change are the poor, people of color, and indigenous people, while the rich people of the world are most responsible. Therefore, climate change is an issue of justice.

Many people are confused about climate change because it is a complex issue and because political and vested interests have spread false doubts about climate science.
In this course you will acquire a basic understanding of the causes of global warming and its impacts on the climate. You will reflect about the importance of applying the principle of the harmony of science and religion to the climate crisis, relating spiritual and ethical teachings to the fundamental challenges it poses. You will learn about the numerous practical actions and changes in lifestyle required to slow the warming. You will discuss the profound economic and social transformation that is vitally important to keep the Earth a livable planet for humans and all life. Perhaps most importantly, you will increase your capacity to engage in public discourse and social action.

Who is the course for?
Who is the course for?

The course is based on up-to-date science and on spiritual insights gained from the Baha’i teachings. While the course materials reflect a Bahá’í perspective, they are of interest to anyone.

Meet Your Faculty
teacher
Christine Muller, Piano Teacher
Board Secretary, International Environment Forum

I was interested in environmental issues already at a young age and became a Bahá’í when I was 17, which was the beginning of a life-long study of the Bahá’í Faith. As the environmental crisis was worsening, I began to systematically study climate change at a time when not much... See Faculty Bio

teacher
Arthur Dahl, PhD
President, International Environment Forum

I have always been a Bahá’í, loved nature since I was taught about it in children’s classes, and set my goal to become a Bahá’í pioneer at the conference launching the Ten-year Crusade in 1953. I was finishing my Ph.D. in marine biology in 1969 when the Santa Barbara oil... See Faculty Bio

teacher
Laurent Amine Mesbah, PhD
UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Laurent Mesbah was born and grew up in France in a multicultural background. He did research and teaching in plant genetics at the free university in Amsterdam, the Netherlands where he completed his PhD. In addition Dr. Mesbah completed a certificated of advanced studies in Environmental Diplomacy at the University... See Faculty Bio

How to Apply

Ready to apply? This info and advice should come in handy.

Application FAQs
Questions About this Course?

Get in touch

Contact Us
You May Also Like