The Climate Adaptation and Human Rights course on Coursera explores the relationship between climate change and the protection of human rights, with a particular emphasis on adaptation strategies. It introduces learners to how environmental changes – such as rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource scarcity – impact fundamental rights, including access to food, water, health, housing, and livelihoods.
The course outlines the development of the climate–human rights framework and examines the roles of key actors such as governments, international organizations, and civil society. It highlights how human rights principles are increasingly being integrated into climate policies, particularly in adaptation planning aimed at reducing vulnerability and strengthening resilience.
Through practical examples and case studies, learners analyze how climate change disproportionately affects marginalized and vulnerable populations, including Indigenous communities and those in low-income regions. The course also addresses concepts such as climate justice, accountability, and rights-based approaches to policy-making.
Overall, the course provides a foundational understanding of how human rights frameworks can inform more inclusive and effective responses to climate change, equipping learners with the tools to critically assess adaptation strategies and advocate for equitable solutions.
