Introduction:

Climate change poses significant challenges to our environment, societies, and economies, requiring innovative approaches to understand and address its impacts. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have emerged as powerful tools for studying and visualizing spatial data related to climate change. The Climate Change and GIS Course aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between climate change and GIS, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to analyze and visualize geospatial data in the context of climate change.

The course begins with an overview of climate change science and its key drivers. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of the Earth's climate system, greenhouse gases, and the causes of global warming. They will explore the observed and projected impacts of climate change on various aspects, including temperature, precipitation patterns, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events.

Next, the course delves into GIS and its applications in climate change research and analysis. Participants will learn about the principles of GIS, including spatial data models, data acquisition, storage, and manipulation. They will gain proficiency in using GIS software to analyze and visualize climate-related data, such as temperature records, precipitation patterns, land cover change, and vulnerability assessments.

Furthermore, participants will explore specific applications of GIS in climate change studies. They will learn how to use GIS to map and analyze climate data, identify climate change hotspots, assess vulnerability and risk, and model future scenarios. They will also explore the integration of remote sensing data, climate models, and other geospatial datasets into GIS to gain a comprehensive understanding of climate change patterns and processes.

The course also covers the role of GIS in climate change adaptation and mitigation. Participants will learn how GIS can support decision-making processes related to climate change adaptation strategies, such as identifying suitable locations for infrastructure development, assessing the impact of sea-level rise on coastal communities, and managing natural resources in a changing climate. They will also explore how GIS can be used to assess the effectiveness of climate change mitigation efforts, such as evaluating carbon sequestration potential, analyzing renewable energy resource suitability, and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions.

Throughout the course, participants will engage in hands-on exercises, case studies, and group discussions to apply the concepts and techniques learned. They will have the opportunity to work with real-world climate and GIS data, analyze spatial patterns, and derive meaningful insights.

By the end of the course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of the role of GIS in climate change research, analysis, and decision-making. They will be equipped with the skills necessary to use GIS software to analyze, visualize, and communicate climate-related spatial data. Whether in research, environmental management, urban planning, or policy development, participants will have the knowledge and tools to integrate GIS into their work to address the complex challenges posed by climate change.

Course Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the relationship between climate change and GIS technology.
• Learn the fundamentals of GIS and spatial data analysis.
• Explore the applications of GIS in climate change research, assessment, and planning.
• Acquire skills in using GIS software for climate change data visualization and analysis.
• Understand the integration of remote sensing data and GIS in climate change studies.
• Gain knowledge of spatial modeling techniques for climate change impact assessment.
• Learn how to develop and implement climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies using GIS.
• Enhance the ability to communicate climate change information through maps and visualizations.
• Discuss the ethical and social implications of GIS in climate change decision-making.

Organization Benefits:

• Improved decision-making: By integrating GIS technology, organizations can make informed decisions regarding climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resource allocation.
• Enhanced spatial analysis capabilities: GIS allows organizations to analyze and visualize climate change data in a spatial context, enabling better understanding and interpretation of complex relationships.
• Efficient resource management: GIS tools facilitate the identification of vulnerable areas and the allocation of resources for climate change adaptation measures, optimizing resource utilization.
• Enhanced collaboration and coordination: GIS enables data sharing, collaboration, and coordination among different stakeholders involved in climate change initiatives, leading to more effective and integrated solutions.
• Increased stakeholder engagement: GIS-based maps and visualizations help engage stakeholders by providing clear and accessible information on climate change impacts, fostering greater understanding and involvement.
• Improved communication and awareness: GIS-based maps and visualizations are powerful communication tools that can effectively convey climate change information to a wide range of audiences, raising awareness and facilitating dialogue.
• Enhanced risk assessment and management: GIS enables organizations to assess climate change risks and vulnerabilities at a spatial level, leading to improved risk management strategies and adaptation planning.

Who Should Attend:

·         Professionals working in climate change research and policy

·         Environmental scientists and researchers

·         Urban and regional planners

·         Natural resource managers

·         GIS analysts and specialists

·         Sustainability professionals

·         Government officials and policymakers involved in climate change initiatives

·         Non-governmental organization (NGO) staff working on climate change projects

·         Consultants and professionals involved in climate change impact assessment and planning

Duration:

10 days (Course Duration can be changes as per participant’s objectives)

Course Outline

(Modules):

1. Introduction to Climate Change and GIS
• Climate change basics and impacts
• Introduction to GIS and spatial analysis
• Role of GIS in climate change research and planning
2. GIS Fundamentals
• Understanding spatial data and coordinate systems
• GIS data types and formats
• GIS software and tools overview
3. Spatial Data Acquisition and Management
• Data collection methods for climate change analysis
• Sources of climate and environmental data
• Data quality assessment and management
4. Introduction to Remote Sensing
• Basics of remote sensing technology
• Satellite imagery for climate change studies
• Integration of remote sensing data with GIS
5. Climate Change Data Visualization
• Creating thematic maps and visualizations
• Symbolization techniques for climate data
• Interactive mapping for data exploration
6. Spatial Analysis Techniques for Climate Change
• Overlay analysis and spatial querying
• Proximity analysis and hotspot identification
• Spatial interpolation and modeling
7. Climate Change Impact Assessment with GIS
• Assessing climate change vulnerabilities
• Identifying areas at risk and hotspots
• Analyzing climate change scenarios
8. GIS in Climate Change Mitigation
• Identifying greenhouse gas emission sources
• Assessing carbon sequestration potential
• Planning renewable energy projects with GIS
9. GIS in Climate Change Adaptation
• Mapping vulnerable areas and populations
• Assessing adaptation options and strategies
• Prioritizing adaptation measures using GIS
10. Spatial Decision Support Systems for Climate Change
• Introduction to spatial decision support systems
• Integrating GIS and climate change models
• Case studies of spatial decision-making in climate change
11. Participatory GIS in Climate Change Planning
• Engaging stakeholders in the planning process
• Participatory mapping and data collection
• Collaborative decision-making using GIS
12. Communicating Climate Change with GIS
• Creating effective maps and infographics
• Storytelling with spatial data
• Web mapping and interactive applications
13. Spatial Data Sharing and Collaboration
• Spatial data infrastructure and standards
• Data sharing platforms and protocols
• Collaborative mapping and crowd-sourced data
14. Ethics and Privacy in Climate Change GIS
• Ethical considerations in climate change data collection and use
• Privacy and security of spatial data
• Ensuring equity and social justice in GIS applications
15. Case Studies in Climate Change and GIS
• Real-world examples of GIS applications in climate change research and planning
• Case studies on climate change adaptation and mitigation using GIS

General Notes

• All our courses can be Tailor-made to participants' needs
• The participant must be conversant in English
• Presentations are well-guided, practical exercises, web-based tutorials, and group work. Our facilitators are experts with more than 10 years of experience.
• Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with a Foscore development center certificate (FDC-K)
• Training will be done at the Foscore development center (FDC-K) centers. We also offer inhouse and online training on the client schedule
• Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.
• The course fee for onsite training includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, a buffet lunch, and a Certificate of successful completion of Training. Participants will be responsible for their own travel expenses and arrangements, airport transfers, visa application dinners, health/accident insurance, and other personal expenses.
• Accommodation, pickup, freight booking, and Visa processing arrangement, are done on request, at discounted prices.
• Tablet and Laptops are provided to participants on request as an add-on cost to the training fee.
• One-year free Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.
• Register as a group of more than two and enjoy a discount of (10% to 50%)
• Payment should be done before commence of the training or as agreed by the parties, to the FOSCORE DEVELOPMENT CENTER account, so as to enable us to prepare better for you.
• For any inquiries reach us at training@fdc-k.org or +254712260031
• Website:www.fdc-k.org