You probably could not imagine that, under regular circumstances, lectures in primary and secondary schools are implementing via television and the Internet, that you can go to the shop only until 5pm, that usual going to work is replaced by installing a laptop in the living room (or bedroom). However, the situation we are in has led to changes happening suddenly, which rapidly changed our habits and behaviors. Online lectures, though, are not something so new.

Whether you go to school or college, or  you have been done with formal education for a while, there are various educational content available on the Internet through which you can additionally  educate yourself on the areas of interest.

The most famous of these are certainly online courses. To listen to the lectures of university professors and researchers, the only expense is free time, and at least these days we have a lot to spare. After the class, you can do tests and get a certificate which is optional and generally requires a surcharge. So be determined and try it, excess knowledge is not the same as excess weight (which you are likely to gain during a state of emergency).

If you would like to further explore the areas we regularly inform you about, we have provided below some of the courses currently available that can enhance your knowledge of environmental, energy and climate change topics.

Bearing in mind that we often miss it at home, we start from the air.

Air pollution - a global threat to our health

Late last year and early this year, the issue of air quality stirred the public in Serbia due to dramatically increased concentrations of pollutants in the air. Aware of the consequences that polluted air has on our health, but also of the negative impact on the environment in general, the competent institutions have taken some steps in dealing with the quality of the air. You can read more about taken measures in articles Waiting for the wind of change and On Air Quality during a State of Emergency: (Un)expected data. 

What are the sources of pollution? How and where are we exposed to external or internal pollution? What happens in our body when we breathe in polluted air? What diseases does air pollution cause? Who are the most vulnerable people? What can we do to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3 related to good health? If you have been wondering about this through our articles, the course "Air Pollution - A Global Threat to Our Health" is the right choice for you.

You will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the results of the latest research on the impact of polluted air on our health, the main sources of pollution and the choices available to us in order to solve this problem.

The lectures are delivered by researchers and experts from the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark. The course lasts three weeks and the working language is English. More details about the course duration and deadlines can be found at this link.

Climate change and health: From science to action

There is no doubt that the climate of our world is changing. Of the twenty hottest years ever recorded, sixteen have occurred in the last two decades. Within the specialization program implemented by lecturers from Yale University, three courses are implemented. Depending on your level of current knowledge of climate change, you can choose a introductory course on climate change, a course dedicated to climate change adaptation, or a course dedicated to communicating the effects of climate change on human health. This group of courses is intended for those who want to understand the impact of climate change on human health and want to put their knowledge and skills into the field of public health. If you are one of them, you can find more information at this link.

The impact of climate change on human health

Another currently available course links climate change and human health. Founded with the support of the Harvard Global Health Institute, the course will explain how climate change affects people around the world, but also how they directly affect us and our lives. Taking into account air quality, diet, infectious disease and human migration, the lectures link greenhouse gas emissions to public health. The course lasts seven weeks and is taught in English. Additional information is available at this link.

Transforming the energy system: Why is management important?

Decarburization of the energy system involves the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. In the context of climate change, air pollution problems and other consequences of greenhouse gas emissions, the decarburization process is necessary in order to first preserve and then improve the environment.

Energy management involves a large number of actors and a complex institutional and legislative framework, rules, regulations and policies that influence the change of the energy system, which is why efficient management is crucial for their transformation.

In this course, you will explore how and why energy systems need to change and how these changes can affect people's safety. In addition, the course offers knowledge of the key elements of effective management and communicates successful examples of energy management from around the world.

If you would like to know more about the energy system in Republic of Serbia and the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions, we suggest you read our articles such as: Energy Management System in Serbia: Current Status and Recommendations for Improvement, How can NERP save the world, or Chapter 15: Towards Cleaner Energy.

Our energy future

If you want to know more about current energy production and uses, the social and economic consequences of such habits, as well as the environmental impact of fossil fuels and climate change, then Our Energy Future course is for you. Also, the course raises the question of developing energy efficient and sustainable energy production methods using modern technologies. The course lasts nine weeks and is conducted by lecturers from the University of California. More information can be found here.

Climate Action: From individual to community to political action

In 2019, American magazine Time selected Sweden's Greta Thunberg, a teenager who launched a wave of protests that took place every Friday, first in Sweden, and then spread to over 130 countries, for a person of the year. Numerous texts have already been written about it and the phenomenon that has shaken decision-makers and caused a great  attention at European and global levels. Whether you react positively to the work of the young Swede and her peers or consider their effort in vain, it is indisputable that the manifestation of personal dissatisfaction, through protest on Fridays after classes, has become, over time, from an individual to mass action in the field of climate change, which primarily brings together young people.

If you are interested in how society responds to climate change and the potential of individual, community or political action in this regard, the Climate Action course provides an opportunity to better understand social processes and how your community can respond to this challenge. More detailed information can be found at this link.

Unique database for searching online courses

You can use the Class Central to search for courses. The site contains an updated database of available courses. Just type in the keywords and you will surely find the right course whether you are interested in ancient philosophy, medieval art and architecture, artificial intelligence, digital marketing or our favorite, green topics.


Lazar Jovcic

Belgrade Open School

Photo source: canva.com