Overview
(Weeks 5, 6, 7)
In this unit you will explore and reflect on the differences between climate risk, impact, and vulnerability assessments, in process and final product.
Although risk assessments often follow a set method with standard building blocks, they can also be modified and adjusted to fit particular contexts. Each component of a risk assessment can be tailored depending on context, resources, and goals. Conducting a risk assessment requires many choices, both at the outset and at each phase in the process, and some choices have significant implications for what the process produces and how the work can be used. Risk assessments, and other climate assessments can range from well-defined, small scope assessments to very significant undertakings that can necessitate significant and diverse resources. In this unit you will be laying the groundwork and developing a plan with your team and then following through by conducting a risk assessment of your own.
In anticipation of your group assignment to conduct a climate assessment, this unit will allow you explore some real world examples of climate assessments. Using these examples and unit readings you will have the opportunity to determine what makes an effective assessment and different ways it can be used as a tool for advising decision makers.
This unit will also draw on your existing understanding of the fundamentals of climate science and how climate science can be used in assessments. As part of this unit you will review and explore climate science information sources (plan2adapt.ca, climatedata.ca, and climateatlas.ca) to familiarize yourself with the climate science information available to inform your risk assessments.
By the end of this unit you and your team will have outlined a plan for conducting your own assessment.
Activities and Assessment Overview
- Complete Unit 3 readings
- Week 5: Complete & submit Assignment 2
- Week 6: Complete Assignment 3 Part 1
- Contribute to the MACAL course community.
Unit 3 Activity 1: Complete Required Readings
These readings provide examples of completed assessment from a variety of sectors and settings and at scales ranging from the local to the national.
Unit 3 Activity 2: Complete Assignment 2: Critical Evaluation of Climate Assessment Typologies
This assignment should be completed (if it is not already) and submitted to the relevant Moodle Assignment 2 dropbox.
Unit 3 Activity 3: Complete Assignment 3-Part 1
Review the Assignment details and determine how your team will approach this collaborative assignment.