Local-Scale Climate Policy II: Climate Action

Catalog description

ESP 482 is the second course in the Local Climate Action Program. ( ESP 481 is a required prerequisite.) ESP 482 challenges students to work collaboratively with their local government partners to create tangible, impactful climate policies for the local jurisdiction that align strategically with ongoing municipal efforts. Policy options are developed based on the greenhouse gas emissions inventory students completed in the previous semester. While the policy options available to local communities are quite varied, they all share some common characteristics emphasized throughout the class: economically feasible, logistically implementable, and environmentally beneficial. Students work directly with their government partners and faculty throughout the semester to produce agreed upon deliverables which are shared publicly with elected officials at the end of the semester. PA residency is not a requirement. Students from any Penn State campus, including World Campus, are welcome to apply for consideration in the LCAP program so long as they are at least in 5th-semester standing.