This video gives you a brief overview of the module. For the full roadmap, see Curriculum → Roadmap
Overview:
The module has a total duration of 30 minutes, with approximately 20 minutes dedicated to the instructional roadmap and 10 minutes allocated for quizzes. It begins highlighting the differences between climate and weather, setting the foundation for understanding broader climate patterns versus short-term atmospheric conditions. Learners can understand the differences between climate and weather, differentiating the factors that influence each and how they vary in scope and duration. The concept of global warming is introduced and concrete evidences such as rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and changing precipitation patterns, grounding the abstract idea of climate change in observable phenomena are examined. The module delves into the social dimensions of climate change, exploring its impacts on vulnerable communities, displacement of populations, and social inequalities, fostering empathy and ethical reflections. Then learners are introduced to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) as a key international body responsible for assessing the science of climate change and providing policymakers with scientific insights to inform decision-making. Finally, the module explores the COP (Conference of the Parties) meetings as crucial forums for negotiating and implementing climate policies, empowering students to understand the mechanisms driving international action on climate change. The module concludes by quizzing key takeaways messages, enhancing users’ fundamental knowledge of essential climate concepts.
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 1 Lesson
- 30 Minutes
References:
Hawkins, E. & Sutton, R., 2011: Il potenziale per restringere l’incertezza nelle proiezioni del cambiamento delle precipitazioni regionali. Clim. Dynam. 37, 407–418. ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-010-0810-6)
Lenton, TM, Xu, C., Abrams, JF, Ghadiali, A., Loriani, S., Sakschewski, B., … & Scheffer, M. (2023). Quantificazione del costo umano del riscaldamento globale. Nature Sustainability , 6 (10), 1237-1247. ( https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-023-01132-6 )
Marianna Adinolfi
Marianna Adinolfi graduated with honors from the University of Salerno in Environmental Engineering. She obtained a Ph.D. Europaeus in “Energy Science and Engineering” and has been a researcher at the Institute for Climate Resilience of CMCC (Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change) – Regional Modeling and geo-Hydrological Impacts Division – since 2018. Her scientific interests include urban environment and extreme events analysis, development of innovative approaches for dynamic downscaling as part of various CORDEX – Flagship Pilot Studies (such as convection, land use changes, and urban environments), climate data management, and the development of a digital academy for their use. She has also conducted research in the field of energy geostructures and the assessment of climate change impacts on them, with a view to climate-resilient infrastructure. She has a portfolio of national and international research projects, including significant involvement and key roles in EU projects (such as EUCP H-2020, VENEZIA 2021-CORILA, HIGHLANDER, AGORA, CARMINE) and over 20 high-impact scientific articles.
Madeline Baldelli
Madeline holds a Master’s degree in Global Change: Ecosystem Science and Environmental Policy from the University College Dublin and Justus Liebig University Giessen (2024) and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (2020). Throughout her academic career, she interned and volunteered with various environmental nonprofit organizations, expanding her interests in community engagement, environmental policy, and advocacy. During her Master’s thesis, Madeline worked with CMCC in conjunction with the AGORA project to investigate the best capacity-building methods for citizen engagement regarding climate adaptation. After completing her Master’s degree, she joined CMCC as a Junior Climate Data Content Developer in the REMHI Division in April 2024.
Paola Mercogliano
Paola Mercogliano is a senior climate scientist and Head of the REMHI Division at CMCC Foundation. She has over 20 years of experience in regional climate modelling, atmospheric forecasting, and nowcasting, combining dynamical models and statistical tools. She leads high-impact scientific and policy-driven projects across Europe, bridging climate science with territorial governance. She is President of the Italian Society of Climatology (SISC) for the 2025–2026 term.
