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Climate change has forced decision-makers in the public
and private sector to develop and adopt policies to
help facilitate a transition to a clean energy economy
and avoid some of the worst consequences of climate
change. In this course, we will discuss state, federal
and international policies related to climate change.
The political context in which these policy responses
have developed, and in which they will continue to
evolve, will be emphasized throughout. Specific
substantive topics will likely include some review of
key concepts related to the physical basis of global
warming, efforts to put a price on carbon, successful
past policy responses to environmental threats,
including the Montreal Protocol, the ongoing efforts of
the global community, via the UNFCCC and other
instruments, to achieve international agreement on
climate policy and the current domestic political and
policy environment. The course will be largely
discussion-based, with enthusiastic participation
encouraged. There will be a midterm and a final paper.
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