Social Dimensions of Climate Change and Environmental Justice - Minor

About This Minor

To be equipped to address the multi-faceted, multi-scalar issues of Social Dimensions of Climate Change and Environmental Justice, students need an understanding of both the social and natural dimensions of this socio-environmental issue.

Climate change refers to long term shifts in temperature and weather patterns. It has social drivers and social impacts, which are characterized by inequality from the local to the global scale. Environmental justice approaches focus on fair and equitable outcomes and meaningful involvement and participation in response to environmental issues.

Environmental justice is intersectional and interdisciplinary and relates to inequality based on class, gender, race, ethnicity, Indigeneity, sexuality, disability, etc., and spans local to global scales.

What You Will Learn

This minor prepares students to understand and address in their personal and professional lives some of the myriad aspects of climate change, a challenge that many deem to be the greatest of our time.

Students learn about natural and social science theories and methods related to studying this issue. It will also prepare students to understand and, if desired, support environmental justice efforts in their personal and professional lives. Students learn about environmental justice theories, efforts, and case studies from the local to the global level and will gain a deeper understanding of the related processes of inequality.

Students who complete this minor will gain foundational knowledge about Social Dimensions of Climate Change and Environmental Justice, preparing them to work to address climate change and other environmental issues with an approach that considers equity, including in academic, government, nonprofit, and corporate settings.