Scanning the Twittersphere for the hashtag #wbheat, you'll get an idea of how successful the World Bank's online course on climate change has been.
Lydia, a participant from Jamaica, called it an "incredible experience." Another student, Leisa from Brazil, tweeted, "I don't know where I found the time, but I learned a lot and made some new contacts, too. Thanks to all." From Tanzania, Aboud noted, "So grateful to have been a part of something greater than our own little sphere of influence."
Kanta Kumari, one of the instructors for the course and a lead environmental specialist at the World Bank, was also pleased.
"It was great to see how the urgency to act – now, together and differently – generated the kind of discussion and debate that we know can culminate in action," she said. "It was most satisfying to see how participants from all over the globe came together to experience a common learning experience."
The course, which drew 19,000 people from around the world to a virtual classroom, gave a 4-week tour of the World Bank-commissioned report Turn Down the Heat. The report was first published in 2012 to explore what impacts climate change may have on development.
The classroom was offered through Coursera, an education company that partners with universities and organizations to offer free e-courses. Read more comments from participants and get additional details on the recent climate change course here.
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