A Path to Sustainability: Free GIS Course for Climate Action
February 19 – April 2, 2025
Shape Our Future with New GIS Skills
If you’re concerned about climate-related changes, you’re not alone. The good news? People and organizations all over the world are mobilizing to address climate risks, create opportunities, and find sustainable solutions.
A changing climate creates complex, interrelated, and inherently geographic challenges. Because it uses location as a common thread, GIS technology is uniquely suited to create clarity from myriad data sources.
As we all seek to build a better future, practical learning opportunities have become more valuable than ever. Esri’s massive open online course (MOOC), GIS for Climate Action, explores how GIS is being used now to prepare for a future that requires more resilient systems, infrastructure, and communities.
Opening in February, this no-cost course is hosted by Dr. Dawn Wright, Esri’s chief scientist and a professor of geography and oceanography at Oregon State University. The course boasts many contributions from Esri staff members and partner organizations such as Project Drawdown, Katherine Hayhoe, The Nature Conservancy, the University of Redlands, and state and local agencies. These GIS experts shed light on why—and how—we need to act to address natural and human-caused activities that are impacting the climate.
“In this MOOC, we’ll dive into scientific principles and explore climate change indicators, risks, and options to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, protect vulnerable populations—and much more,” said Dr. Wright.
Over six weeks, watch engaging discussions on the science, the predictions, the programs aiming to make a difference, and the risks of inaction. Course videos feature Wright and other Esri technology experts on the front lines of helping organizations gain insight and drive positive change. In step-by-step exercises, learners will apply the latest ArcGIS software tools to visualize and quantify deforestation, plan adaptive strategies to address hazards, and share results using compelling data and storytelling techniques.
Esri also provides enrolled students with free access to ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Network Analyst, ArcGIS Instant Apps, ArcGIS Survey123, ArcGIS Dashboards, and ArcGIS StoryMaps software to complete course exercises.
“I loved [the] chance to explore the suite of products by Esri outside of ArcGIS Pro…My favorite part is that it was all things GIS and specifically tailored to climate change.”
- Keana Oldham, Attendee, GIS for Climate Action
GIS for Climate Action is open to learners worldwide. All you need to attend is an ArcGIS account, which is free and easy to create at accounts.arcgis.com. After completing the course, a certificate will be awarded to participants. Registration is open through March 5.
Explore Course Details and Register →
