The Extraordinary Think And Do (TANDO) Tank
Online Course
Strategic AI – Global Climate Leadership Certificate

Wise climate leadership demands
peace, collaboration, and action—
beyond rhetoric—uniting global
leaders to drive sustainable change
through innovation and policy.

Online
Organized by: TANDO Institute

TANDO Institute Strategic AI – Global Climate Leadership Certificate is designed to train a new generation of leaders and change makers in business, NGOs, and government.  Obtain training for resilience to pilot through the chaos. With core competencies applied, usher in an age of balance, wisdom, and planetary stewardship.

The TANDO Strategic AI – Global Climate Leadership Certificate is a key qualification for these critical roles. Modules are taught by distinguished TANDO Institute Fellows and invited world-class experts.

Participants need not have a background in hard sciences.


  • Course begins Fall, 2026
  • Time required: 15 hours per month
  • Tuition is $6,000 (USD)
  • After your application is received, it will be reviewed by our Application Committee, and you will be notified of their decision.

Value and Benefits of
Professional Certification

Benefits for Participants

Gain and apply skills for addressing complex organizational challenges of climate change, by:

  • Building skills to face “wicked problems” and other urgent challenges of climate change
  • Learning tools for measuring increased employee engagement and reduced social/environmental costs
  • Preparing for a career in:• The corporate sector as Sustainability Manager, ESG Analyst, Green Marketing Specialist, Sustainable Investment Advisor, Carbon Credit Trader, Environmental Compliance Officer, or Environmental Data Analyst• The government & policy sector as Environmental Policy Advisor or Urban Planner• The non-profit, education & advocacy sector as NGO Program Coordinator, Sustainability Educator, or UN Sustainable Development Officer• The startup & entrepreneurship sector as Circular Economy Entrepreneur or Eco-Tourism Coordinator
  • Joining a worldwide network of fellow certificate graduates for mutual support and sharing of ideas. Graduates are invited to become TANDO Institute Associates.

These roles empower change agents to drive systemic environmental action, combining purpose with professional growth in a rapidly expanding field.


Benefits for Employers

(Corporate, Non-Profit, Fourth Sector, Government)

  • Better employee retention.
  • More knowledgeable compliance with environmental regulations.
  • New core competencies (including AI) and related increases in
    productivity KPIs.
  • Better collaboration between scientists, engineers, and management.
  • Increased organizational resilience in managing complexity.
  • Ably anticipate new profitable green/ESG industry opportunities.

 

Instructors
Sheridan Tatsuno, MCRP (Masters of City & Regional Planning, Harvard '77) has 40 years of business experience in urban planning, high tech corporate strategy and start-ups, and media and film.
Julian Gresser MA, JD is an international environmental attorney, social entrepreneur, professional negotiator, inventor, and Japan expert.
Fred Phillips, Ph.D. is Visiting Professor at SUNY Stony Brook, and President of TANDO Institute.
Patricia Bader-Johnston, MBA is a social entrepreneur and sustainability expert focused on energy, water and food innovations and project development.
Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana, Ph.D. CEO of The Way Group’s Global Talent Business Incubation and Research Centre.
Robert Ronstadt, Ph.D. is a “think & do leader” in higher education, technology commercialization, regional economic development, and entrepreneurship.
Professor Akiko Yamanaka, serves as Special Advisor to the President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), former Vice Minister (Japan) for International Peace Keeping.
INSTRUCTOR: David Smith
David Smith is a futurist and technologist with more than 30 years of experience in digital convergence, strategic planning, and emerging technologies. He has led in global strategic planning, product development, and business execution.
INSTRUCTOR: Sophie Bin Xu
Sophie Bin ​Xu, has served as a ​consultant at ​SIET Co. Ltd. ​ ​in Environment ​Health Safety ​and Social (​EHSS) and ​Energy ​Efficiency ​Improvement. ​For 20 years, ​Sophie Xu has ​worked in ​environment ​health and ​safety ​assessment.
INSTRUCTOR: David Swanson
David Swanson, Professor Emeritus, Sociology, UC- Riverside, is a Fulbright specialist in Demography and the recipient of two Fulbright awards. In addition to UC Riverside, he served as an instructor for the Penn State, a visiting professor at Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, Dean at the Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration (now part of Aalto University). Swanson has received numerous awards for his work and is recognized as one of the top demographers in the world.
Modules for Strategic AI - Global Climate Leadership Certificate
Module One - System Thinking / Critical Thinking
Instructor: Fred Phillips

Covers classical system concepts and modeling, with reference to relevant software; The psychology

Module Two- 2026-2030—Planetary Challenges--An Assessment
Instructor: Julian Gresser

This module will introduce Climate Corps Leaders to core life competencies and skills essential for an Age of Co-Creation—supported by an innovation in Human-AI Alignment.

Module Three - Character and Destiny of Climate Corps Leaders
Instructor: Julian Gresser

Sages throughout history have understood that character is destiny. Climate Corps Leadership—Wisdom, Ethics, Integrity, and Conscience—provides a roadmap for wise leadership

Module Four- Impact Investment and AI
Instructor: Sharif Rana

The module shows how AI enhances investment decision-making. It addresses ESG and AI Integration

Module Five- AI Assisted Collaborative Innovation
Instructor: David Smith and Sophie Bin Xu

This module looks beyond the “chatbot” phase of AI, treating Generative AI as a  teammate capable of augmenting human creativity and strategic decision-making.

Module Six and Seven- Gaiapolis: Green/Human-centered Cities and Bioregions - Planning Sustainable Biocities with Exponential Technologies (double module)
Instructor: Sheridan Tatsuno

Gaiapolis: Green/Human-centered Cities and Bioregions is a double module with the end result – realistic plans to solve real problems.

Module Eight-Demography and Climate Change
Instructor: David Swanson

This course will explore the ambiguous connections between population dynamics and climate change. Climate change is one of the world’s most important challenges as the warming of the planet threatens food and water supply and therewith human health.

Module Nine- International Environmental Law and Climate Change Adaptation
Instructor: Julian Gresser

Climate Law is an emergent body of legislative, judicial, and administrative practice central to strategic leadership and risk management globally.

Module Ten- Sustainability for Challenging Spirits - Entrepreneurship in the Regenerative-Circular Economy
Instructor: Patricia Bader-Johnston

This course is designed for “Challenging Spirits”—students who recognize that standard ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics are no longer sufficient.

Module Eleven- Creating a More Integrated and Peaceful Environment
Instructor: Akiko Yamanaka

Professor Akiko Yamanaka is clear that we must come back to the base of a more democratic world community with respect for the rule of law and human rights.

Module Twelve- Capstone Challenge
Instructor: All Faculty

Collaborate with peers and dive deeper into the content of a module of your choice, producing a written report or video to present to invited guests.

Please note:

  • We reserve the right to alter the curriculum as needed.
  • Most modules combine self-study with instructor teleconferences.

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