Graduate certificates to tackle impact of climate change

Cracked earth and dry tree

Rising to the challenge of a rapidly changing environment, Griffith University has developed new Graduate Certificates in Climate Change Adaptation and Renewable Energy Engineering aimed to boost Australia’s response and number of graduates in these fields.

“Climate change creates both challenges and opportunities for the world, and we need people from all walks of life to help build resilience to its impacts,’’ says Associate Professor Michael Howes, Climate Change Adaptation program director.

“The graduate certificate empowers professionals from any field to make a positive contribution to this transition and revitalise their careers. Graduates will find growing demand for their services in the public, private and community sectors.”

“How we adapt to climate change will determine the resilience and wellbeing of our societies now and in the future,’’ ARC DECRA Fellow and climate change adaptation lecturer Dr Johanna Nalau said.

“Professionals who develop core skills on climate change adaptation will be in an ever-higher demand as the world faces the impacts of climate change.

“This graduate certificate will enable professionals to deliver robust adaptation strategies and respond to complex challenges that require critical thinking and fundamental understanding how to do adaptation well.”

Students who complete the program will gain credit towards a Master of Climate Change Adaptation.

Dr Andrew Busch, program director of the Graduate Certificate in Renewable Energy Engineering said the shift to renewable energy sources and updating the energy grid and other infrastructure to accommodate this transition, will be one of the largest global engineering challenges of the next two decades.

“With its combination of technical knowledge in renewable energy generation and storage systems, policy and impact analysis, and energy management, the program will empower graduates to take a leading role in the renewable energy revolution.

“Successfully addressing climate change will require a rethink in the way that people both produce and use energy, so it is critical that engineers are equipped with up-to-date knowledge in renewable energy generation as well as storage and distribution, demand management and forecasting.”

The graduate certificates are 12-24 week programs aimed at rapidly upscaling the skills of existing graduates, or people with experience in relevant fields.

Students will learn from and work alongside experts from micro-economists to engineers, marine ecologists, planners and social scientists. Program flexibility ensures students can manage study to suit their individual needs with regards to existing work or family commitments.

Applications for the Job-Ready Certificates close on February 14, 2021.