Climate Solutions, Economic Renewal, and the Energy Transition

Over the past few years, our communities have faced the impacts of three interconnected threats - an economy that is failing people, a fragile and dangerous energy system, and an increasingly violent climate. Across the globe and here in the Twin Cities, communities are embarking on an epic journey to build solutions – a transition that will transform our energy systems, agriculture, urban structure, the global economy, and our everyday lives.

Are we ready for this challenge? As scientists struggle with technology, leaders fight entrenched political and social assumptions, economists try to rethink global markets, and everyday people prepare to adapt, we will unravel the challenge of our century.

This class is focused on providing a thorough understanding of issues surrounding creating green jobs and economic opportunity in our communities through climate and energy solutions. We will prepare ourselves with a background understanding of real and feasible alternatives to an economy dependent on energy sources facing terminal decline and a chaotic global climate.

Learning in this class is participatory – some information will be presented in a story-telling/ lecture format, but there is a very strong emphasis on group dialogue and sharing by participants about their experiences and struggles around these issues. We will make the topic personal, not just theoretical, and focus on building a community founded on personal relationships that is working together to apply the lessons learned from this class to the real world.

This class is for those seeking the links behind our most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. It is for current and would-be change-makers seeking to build a community where we can learn and act together. It is for neighbors from all backgrounds who want to find ways to bring our communities together around deep solutions.