Western’s new multidisciplinary Climate Change Minor open to all majors

Feeling called to action by Earth Week events around campus? Climate Change is one of the most serious crises of our time. Human activities have drastically altered Earth’s atmosphere and climate, leading to cascading effects on ecosystems, water resources, and human health and well-being.

The 20-credit Climate Change minor is open to all majors and is a valuable addition for students pursuing numerous careers.

These changes will continue into the foreseeable future, but what the future looks like will depend on the decisions human societies make now and in the coming years. It will be not only the job of scientists, but those in many fields, to make more informed decisions. 

The new Climate Change Minor from Western's Department of Environmental Studies provides an interdisciplinary, holistic survey of the biophysical and societal causes and effects of climate change and the pathways we can take to mitigate and adapt to it. This degree draws on coursework from the social sciences, humanities, and physical and life sciences to help students understand climate change through multiple disciplinary perspectives.

The 20-credit program is open to all majors and is a valuable addition for students pursuing numerous careers. Because climate change will impact so many aspects of society throughout the 21st century, this coursework would be beneficial for anyone who wants to work with nonprofits, government agencies, and private businesses in fields such as environmental policy, science, regulation, law, justice, health, conservation, restoration, and more. 

Interested students can get started as early as this summer. Some freshman-friendly classes that are open to everyone include Hope and Agency for a Climate-Altered World (ENVS 115), Energy and Society (ENRG 101), and Physical Geography (ENVS 203). 

For advising or more information regarding the minor, visit the Climate Change Minor website, contact the minor's faculty advisor, Associate Professor of Geography Aquila Flower, at flowera3@wwu.edu or drop by the College of the Environment advising office in ES539.