Understanding Climate Change using Satellite Data (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Twente,
Understanding Climate Change using Satellite Data (FutureLearn)

Explore cutting-edge technology and learn how to analyse satellite climate data to help measure and mitigate climate change. Explore the tools that can help with climate change solutions. To accurately study climate change, assess its risks, and mitigate the impact, we need systematic observations of the climate.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

There are 54 essential variables used to measure climate change. These essential climate variables (ECVs) are crucial in helping to provide evidence for climate change and implement adaptation methods.
On this three-week course, you’ll explore the state-of-the-art technology used in the Climate Change Initiative programme (CCI) of the European Space Agency, and how satellite data is used to measure climate change.
Through interactive exercises, you’ll be trained to understand climate change and analyse satellite climate data using the CATE (Climate Analysis Toolbox) of the Climate Change Initiative Programme.
With these tools, you’ll find essential climate variables that are indicators of the state and change of the climate and a specific process in the atmosphere-Earth system.
Understand the components of the climate system
You’ll explore many components of the climate system: the water, energy and carbon cycles, cryosphere and land.
This will help you understand the physical processes of climate change from different perspectives.
With this knowledge, you’ll learn how to create and communicate maps, times series, and trends of essential climate variables. You’ll also be able to evaluate the results and provide judgments of the significance of the analysis.
Learn from the experts at the University of Twente
You’ll be guided through articles and videos by world-class scientists on this course led by the specialists at the ITC faculty at the University of Twente.
With a 70-year track record in knowledge transfer in the field of Earth observation, ITC was awarded by the European Space Agency to create this interactive online course.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction
Week 2: How land interacts with the climate
Week 3: Cryosphere

Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Understand the physical processes of the climate systems.
  • Explore the CCI toolbox and find essential climate variables (ECVs) that are indicators of the state and change of the climate.
  • Create and communicate maps, time series and trends of ECVs using the CCI Toolbox.
  • Evaluate the results and provide judgments of the significance of the analysis.

Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone studying, researching, or interested in climate change and satellite climate data.

What software or tools do you need?
You will need to have access to a computer to access the websites used in this course.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Nature Connectedness with the University of Derby (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Derby

Nature Connectedness with the University of Derby (FutureLearn)

Learn to establish a new relationship with nature to help improve your wellbeing and tackle larger issues such as climate change. Explore the relationship between nature connection and the climate crisis. Too often we see nature as something to use, control, or as a threat to us. The climate crisis and wildlife emergency show that the existing relationship between people and the rest of nature is breaking down. It has become too disconnected and narrow.

Jul 26th 2021
4 Weeks
Monitoring Climate from Space (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
European Space Agency

Monitoring Climate from Space (FutureLearn)

Explore our planet from space and learn how Earth observation is used to monitor climate change, with this free online course. It is increasingly essential for us to study climate change across the planet at the highest level of detail possible. But how can we achieve such a comprehensive worldwide view?

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Learning for a Sustainable Future (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Edinburgh,British Council,Learning for a Sustainable Scotland

Learning for a Sustainable Future (FutureLearn)

Join a personal and professional global learning journey towards a sustainable future. What on Earth could be more important? Grow your knowledge of sustainability. Climate change, gender equality, health, social equity, and inclusion are issues that affect us all, impacting human well-being and economic stability. How to live a sustainable life affects – and connects - us all.

Mar 13th 2023
5-12 Weeks
Climate Solutions: India (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Edinburgh,Climate Solutions,Edinburgh Climate Change Institute(ECCI)

Climate Solutions: India (FutureLearn)

Explore the effects of climate change and how to address the biggest challenge to our civilisation in the 21st century. Tackle the climate emergency in India. Climate Change is one of the greatest threats we face. The impacts of climate change are already being felt around the world, affecting both natural and human systems, and these impacts are expected to become greater in years to come.

Dec 6th 2021
5-12 Weeks
Causes of Climate Change (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Bergen

Causes of Climate Change (FutureLearn)

Learn the physical processes behind climate variation around the world to better understand the causes of climate change. Uncover the past, present, and future of the causes of climate change. This free online course provides the basis for understanding the underlying physical processes governing climate variations in the past, present and future.

Sep 20th 2021
3 Weeks
Climate and Energy: An Interdisciplinary Perspective (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Glasgow,CIVIS

Climate and Energy: An Interdisciplinary Perspective (FutureLearn)

Explore climate change issues from an interdisciplinary perspective to find innovative solutions for a better future. Gain interdisciplinary skills for climate change solutions. On this four-week course, you’ll join educators from ten universities on a virtual field trip to a remote Swedish island to gain perspectives on climate and energy from a multitude of disciplines.

Jan 30th 2023
4 Weeks
Monitoring the Oceans from Space (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
EUMETSAT

Monitoring the Oceans from Space (FutureLearn)

Explore our oceans from space. Discover how Earth observation allows us to monitor ocean health, and inform policy and planning. This free online course will provide an introduction to ocean monitoring Earth Observation (EO) satellite data, and its uses, types and challenges. It will explain how the data is acquired and used, the range of data types available, and the terminology and techniques involved.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Exeter

Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions (FutureLearn)

This course aims to explain the science of climate change, the risks it poses, and the solutions available to reduce those risks. The course is aimed at the level of students entering university, and seeks to provide an inter-disciplinary introduction to what is a broad field. It engages a number of experts from the University of Exeter and a number of partner organisations.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Innovation in Arable Farming: Technologies for Sustainable Farming Systems (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Reading,EIT Food,EIT

Innovation in Arable Farming: Technologies for Sustainable Farming Systems (FutureLearn)

Explore how innovative, digital technologies can help achieve sustainable intensification of arable farming systems. Consider ways arable farmers in the EU can use agri-tech to benefit business. On this course, you’ll explore evidence-based information that outlines the benefits and challenges of adopting new technologies within the EU, and have the chance to read case study examples of some of these applications.

Jan 2nd 2023
3 Weeks
Taking on the Climate Crisis with Social Change (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Stockholm University

Taking on the Climate Crisis with Social Change (FutureLearn)

Explore the reasons and solutions for the climate crisis, equipping you to create a better today and tomorrow. Discover how social transformation can help us tackle the climate crisis The harsh realities of global warming and climate change often make people feel helpless, but there is a lot that can be done. This three-week course will open your eyes to the actions you can take.

Feb 13th 2023
3 Weeks